1. Who can receive workers' compensation benefits? A person who suffers an injury by accident while on the job or who becomes sick with an occupational disease can receive workers' compensation benefits. An occupational disease is a disease which is caused, at least in part, by your work. Lung disease caused by exposure to cotton dust at work and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by repetitive motion at work are examples of occupational diseases.

2. What benefits will I receive if I become eligible for workers' comp? You should receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage for each week that you are unable to work because of your injury or disease. All of your medical bills should be paid and you should be reimbursed for your mileage for travel to obtain medical treatment. If you have a permanent injury as the result of your injury or disease, you should receive compensation for that as well. The compensation for permanent injury is based either on the disability rating given by your doctor or on your loss in earning capacity, whichever is more favorable to you. If you are totally and permanently disabled by your injury or disease, you can receive lifetime benefits under the Act.

3. How do I apply for workers' comp? You can obtain a claim form by calling the Industrial Commission in Raleigh at 919-807-2500.

4. When should I apply for workers' comp? To protect your rights, you should give immediate notice to your employer if you suffer an injury by accident or learn that you may have an occupational disease. You should also obtain and file a claim form right away.

5. When should I see a lawyer about my workers' comp claim? Even if you are receiving benefits from the workers' comp insurance carrier, it's a good idea to consult a workers' comp lawyer to make sure your case is being handled properly and that you understand your rights. If your claim has been denied or if you are not receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled,
you should contact an experienced workers' comp lawyer right away. We do not charge for an office conference in workers' compensation cases.

6. What does it cost to hire a lawyer? Our fee is one-fourth of the benefits we help you to obtain. No fee is charged if we are unable to help you obtain benefits. Win or lose, you would be responsible for our out-of-pocket expenses such as the cost of obtaining medical records and reports.