Healthcare Worker Injuries in North Carolina

Healthcare workers such as nurses, doctors, medical technicians, physical therapists, and nurse’s aides can face workplace safety hazards that can cause severe injuries or health complications. Work-related injuries or illnesses can be expensive. If you’re off work because you’re healing from your condition, you might wonder how you’ll keep your bills paid.

 As a North Carolina healthcare worker who has sustained an injury on the job, you may have the right to compensation and benefits for your injuries. Contact Ward Black Law for a free initial case review. Let’s discuss how a healthcare work injury attorney from our law firm can help you pursue your legal claims for the maximum benefits you deserve. 

Why Injured Workers in the Healthcare Industry Need Our Injury Attorneys

 Although the workers’ compensation system in North Carolina guarantees injured workers specific benefits, employers and insurers sometimes deny or undervalue workers’ compensation claims. Injured healthcare workers may have additional ways to recover compensation, and they may be able to get money for losses not covered by workers’ compensation.

 The lawyers for injured healthcare professionals at Ward Black Law can help you pursue your claims with every available source. We can work to maximize your financial recovery so you have the resources needed to help you heal and move forward with your life after a devastating work injury or illness.

 For over 30 years, our firm has worked tirelessly to secure maximum compensation and justice for hardworking people who have gotten hurt or ill on the job in North Carolina. 

Common Types and Causes of Injuries for Nurses and Others in the Healthcare Industry

 Nurses and other healthcare workers frequently perform strenuous physical work throughout the day. A healthcare worker’s duties can also involve repetitive tasks that they may have to perform in non-ergonomic settings. As a result, healthcare workers are at high risk for various kinds of physical trauma and injuries.

Common examples of work-related injuries and illnesses experienced by healthcare workers include: 

• Repetitive stress injuries, such as herniated spinal disc injuries, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and rotator cuff injuries
• Back injuries 
• Sprained or torn ligaments
• Strained or torn muscles and tendons
• Puncture wounds
• Dislocated joints
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Crush injuries
• Bacterial or viral infection, including diseases like COVID-19 or bloodborne illnesses such as Hepatitis B/C or HIV
• Burns

 Some of the top causes of workplace injuries and occupational illnesses for healthcare workers include: 

• Slip and falls
• Trip and falls
• Lifting patients
• Needle sticks
• Exposure to contagious diseases
• Toxic exposure
• Falling equipment or boxes
• Violence by patients or visitors
• Understaffing leading to overexertion 

Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury Claim Options 

Healthcare workers who get hurt in a work-related accident or develop an occupational illness may have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits from their employers. If your employer denies your workers’ compensation claim, you can appeal to the North Carolina Industrial Commission for a formal hearing. 

Depending on the circumstances of your workplace injury, you may also have a personal injury claim against third parties at fault for your injuries. For example, if you get hurt because a patient or visitor attacked you at work, you can pursue a civil claim for assault and battery against your assailant. If you get injured by a defective medical tool or equipment, you might have a product liability claim against the tool or equipment manufacturer.  

Potential Compensation for Injured Nurses and Other Medical Workers  

In the North Carolina workers’ compensation system, you can receive specific defined financial benefits from your employer to help you recover from a work-related injury or illness. Under state law, you can receive medical benefits and compensation for a portion of your lost wages. Medical benefits cover the cost of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation for your work injury or occupational illness. Lost wage benefits provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum cap set by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.  

In a personal injury claim, if a third party’s carelessness caused your injuries or occupational illness, you may have the right to recover compensation for your losses. Personal injury compensation can include money for:  

• Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including out-of-pocket expenses not covered by workers’ compensation
• Costs of long-term care and replacement services if you suffer temporary or permanent disabilities
• Full reimbursement of your lost wages from missed work or reduced earnings on part-time duty
• Loss of your future earning potential and job benefits if you become permanently disabled from working
• Physical pain, emotional trauma, and distress
• Loss of quality of life due to disabilities, permanent scarring, and disfigurement

Some injured healthcare workers can pursue both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims for work injuries caused by third parties. Eligible workers can maximize their financial recovery from their claims by seeking help from an experienced healthcare work injury lawyer at Ward Black Law. 

How Our Lawyers Can Help Maximize Compensation for Injured Medical Professionals 

After you’ve been injured at work in the medical field, let the legal team at Ward Black Law handle the details of pursuing your compensation claims so you can focus on healing.

Our firm will pursue the financial relief you deserve by:  

• Investigating the circumstances that led to your injuries or illness to recover proof of the work-related nature of your condition
• Documenting your condition and expenses to ensure we pursue financial recovery for all your losses
• Working with medical, vocational, and financial experts to determine your future needs and financial expenses
• Evaluating your legal options for pursuing compensation, including whether you may have third-party personal injury claims
• Filing your claims and dealing with corporate or insurance representatives to take the stress of the claims process off of you
• Vigorously pursuing maximum financial recovery for you, even if that means going to a formal workers’ comp hearing or court