A lot of talk goes on in the workplace about workers’ compensation, either from your employer or from your coworkers. However, not everything you hear is true. Let’s set straight the top four common myths about workers’ compensation we run into.

1. “I haven’t filled out any forms to back up my claim. My employer’s supposed to do that, right?” 
   This is a big one: You and you alone are responsible for filling out and filing the necessary paperwork that goes along with your claim. You have five days from when you report your injury to your employer to report your injury to the Industrial Commission.

2. “So I’m suing my employer, right?”
   No, you are not suing your employer. If anything, you’re suing your employer’s insurance company. But even then it’s not really suing. You’re filing a claim with the Industrial Commission, which oversees workers’ comp claims. There is no civil case. Instead it’s more of an administrative hearing process. However, that’s not to say there aren’t a lot of laws and regulations to abide by. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with an experienced attorney.

3. “What about pain and suffering? Don’t I get to make a claim for pain and suffering?”
   Unfortunately, no. Workers’ compensation is in place to protect you against lost wages and medical expenses. It does not account for pain and suffering.

4. “According to my employer, my accident was my fault. Does that mean I can’t get benefits?”
   Good news! This one is absolutely false. No matter who was at fault, you can claim workers’ comp benefits. The workers’ compensation act is there to protect you from injury, not to punish you for mistakes. If you’ve been hurt at work, even if the accident was your fault, you should file a workers’ comp claim.

If you have any more questions about workers’ comp and what it means to file for workers’ comp benefits, contact an experienced attorney at Oxner + Permar today.

North Carolina winters can be pretty unpredictable. It can be 70° and sunny one day, and then snowing and freezing a few days later. Because of this, we’ve developed a reputation for being a state that doesn’t handle the snow well, and to some extent, it’s true. As infrequently as it snows here, it’s usually easier to close everything down until the snow clears up and it’s safe for us to leave our homes again. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible for everyone, and with the snow comes an uptick in accidents and injuries. It is important to be careful when driving in winter weather.

When it comes to workers’ compensation and winter weather, there are a few important things to take into consideration. First, you are not covered by workers’ compensation on your commute. So if you come into work on a snowy day and get injured in a car accident on your way to your job, that injury won’t be covered by workers’ comp. When dealing with winter weather, we recommend that you don’t risk it. If you can work from home or take time off, you definitely should!

This is a little different for those who have to drive for their jobs. Whether you’re running deliveries or on a business trip, if you get into a car accident while driving for your work, your injuries should be covered by workers’ compensation regardless of whether or not the accident was technically your fault. And of course, this doesn’t apply to just wintery weather conditions. Whatever the circumstance, you’ll be able to seek compensation if an accident occurs while you’re driving on the job.

When it comes to winter weather, be careful! Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover your commute to work. Be sure to contact an experienced attorney if you have any questions.

It’s impossible to overlook it. New construction is going up everywhere in the Triangle. Whether it’s the newest set of apartments around the corner or the new shopping center that’s expanding down the street, it’s inescapable. Have you seen the Catholic Cathedral that’s going up off Centennial Parkway near the NC State campus? It’s massive! And it’s not even at the top of the list of the most expensive construction projects happening in the Triangle this year. As the Triangle continues to grow, it’s important to remember that more construction means more workers’ comp claims. 

Rising Safety Concerns in an Increasingly Busy Construction Industry

I’ve heard a lot of different opinions about all the construction: Some people are really excited about all of the growth and the opportunities for new jobs. Others are annoyed with the noise and traffic that comes with construction and the congestion that comes with an increase in visitors or overall population.

Whether you love it or hate it, the fact is that this growth doesn’t seem to be going anywhere — which is great for the construction industry who falls firmly on the “love it” side of things. But with all of this new construction comes construction-related dangers. When more people are working, the chance of injury is going to be higher. So it’s important to keep proper safety guidelines in mind.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a set of safety standards that all construction companies should adhere to. These standards are designed to protect workers from potential hazards on the job, such as falls, electrocution, and other injuries. It’s important for construction companies to make sure they’re following these guidelines in order to keep their workers safe.

Improving Safety in the Construction Industry

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, and it’s important that safety measures are taken to protect workers. There are a few ways that safety can be improved in the construction industry.

One way is to make sure that all workers are properly trained and certified in the use of any equipment they may be using. This includes making sure that workers are aware of any safety protocols that need to be followed when operating machinery or working at heights.

Another way to improve safety is to ensure that all construction sites are properly inspected for potential hazards before work begins. This includes checking for things like loose wires, exposed nails, or any other potential safety hazards.

Finally, it’s important to make sure that workers are provided with the proper protective gear when working in hazardous conditions. This includes things like hard hats, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots.

Work With An Attorney For Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you are injured at work, be sure to file a workers’ compensation claim. Most work-related injuries are covered by workman’s comp. Workers’ comp claims can be a long process, so it never hurts to have a workers’ comp attorney on your side who can help guide you through your claim.

An attorney can help ensure that your claim is properly filed and that all of your medical bills are covered. They can also provide advice on how to best navigate the worker’s compensation system and make sure that you receive the maximum amount of benefits.

It’s important to remember that with more construction comes more potential for injury. Make sure you are aware of the safety protocols and guidelines in place at your job site, and if you are injured, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney. With the right legal representation, you can make sure that you get the benefits you deserve. 

If you’re injured at work, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney. With more than $275 million in awards and settlements, Oxner + Permar has the experience to make sure you’re getting the benefits you deserve.

Living on the coast of North Carolina has so many benefits. There’s wonderful weather, diverse wildlife, and proximity to the beach. Even with all these positives, things aren’t always bright and sunny. Hurricanes can pose a huge threat to infrastructure and safety. While we always do our best to be prepared for such disasters and recommend that people don’t work when conditions are bad, sometimes injuries are inevitable. So what happens if you’re injured at work due to a natural disaster? Does Workers’ Compensation cover natural disasters?

The good news is, yes! Workers’ compensation will cover you in the event of a natural disaster at work — and also in cases of workplace violence and terrorist attacks. Workers’ compensation is intended to protect you from just about any kind of work-related injury, and while injury from these scenarios might not be part of your everyday job, you are exposed to them because you are at work.

If you or someone you know has sustained an injury due to a natural disaster while at work, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Our goal is to partner with you every step of the way to make sure that your rights are being protected and that you’re receiving the benefits that you deserve.

If you’ve been injured at work, be sure to contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free consultation.

We recently had a client ask me, “What’s so special about Board Certified attorneys? Aren’t all attorneys board certified?” Interestingly enough, not all attorneys are Board Certified. Board Certification has nothing to do with certification to become an attorney. It is, in fact, an additional achievement that an attorney can strive for. Given this, why is it a good idea to hire a board certified specialist?

In order to become Board Certified, an attorney has to have a certain amount of experience. They have to have been practicing for at least five years in the area that they’re practicing. For instance, you wouldn’t be considered if you’d spent four years practicing family law and only one year practicing workers’ compensation. After they meet their experience requirements, they can apply to become board certified.

Their work will be reviewed extensively, and finally, they will have to take a day-long written examination. The idea behind Board Certification is continued education. The attorney must be committed to proving that they’re willing to continue learning and studying their field.

Attorneys who obtain Board Certification have to renew their certification every 5 years. This ensures that even once becoming Board Certified, an attorney’s education will continue.

So when you hire a Board Certified Workers’ Compensation specialist, you know you’re hiring someone who has been thoroughly vetted and is well educated in their field. You can bet that attorney is willing to work hard and tirelessly to make sure that your case is given the proper attention, and that a fair outcome is obtained.  At Oxner + Permar, we’re proud to say that we have seven Board Certified attorneys on our team.

If you have any questions about what it means to be Board Certified or about your workers’ compensation claim, don’t hesitate to give us a call for a free consultation.