What are the most common leg injuries at work?
Many professions require expensive physical labor involving the legs, and unfortunately, that can make injuries more likely.
Below are some of the most common leg injuries workers experience in North Carolina:
- Crush injuries. Heavy objects falling on the leg or getting caught in machinery can cause crush injuries, leading to severe damage to bones, muscles, and tissues, and even amputations. These are especially serious for workers in high-risk fields like construction, agriculture, coal mining, and manufacturing.
- Fractures. Falls from heights or forceful impacts can cause broken bones in the legs, including the femur, tibia, fibula, and ankle. These injuries often require casts or surgery and can significantly impact workers who rely on mobility for their jobs, such as delivery drivers, roofers, and longshore workers.
- Strains and sprains. These are soft tissue injuries involving stretched or torn muscles, ligaments, or tendons. They can happen from slips and fall accidents, awkward twists, overexertion, or repetitive movements, impacting a wide range of workers, including warehouse workers, janitors, and health care workers.
Serious leg injuries often result in chronic pain, mobility issues, and a prolonged period of recovery.
Does NC workers’ comp cover leg injuries at work?
Yes, North Carolina workers’ compensation does cover leg injuries sustained at work. If the injury occurred in the course and scope of employment, the injured worker is typically entitled to benefits, which can include medical expenses, wage replacement, and rehabilitation services.
This coverage applies regardless of who was at fault for the injury, as long as it’s work-related.
However, it’s important to note that while North Carolina workers’ compensation law requires most employers with 3 or more employees to provide workers’ comp insurance to their workers, independent contractors and certain agricultural, sawmill, and logging workers don’t qualify for benefits.
How much can you claim for a leg injury?
The compensation for a leg injury through workers’ compensation in North Carolina can vary significantly based on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the extent of the disability it causes, and the worker’s average weekly wage prior to the injury.
Benefits typically include:
- Medical benefits. Coverage of all necessary medical treatment related to the leg injury, such as hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications.
- Wage replacement benefits. If the injury results in time off work, the worker may receive disability benefits, typically two-thirds of their average weekly wage, while they’re unable to work, subject to state minimum and maximum limits.
- Scheduled loss of use. If the leg injury results in permanent partial disability (like loss of a limb or loss of use), workers may receive compensation for a specified number of weeks, according to a schedule set by North Carolina law. For example, workers who lose a leg are entitled to two-thirds of their average weekly wages for a period of 200 weeks.
- Vocational rehabilitation. If the worker cannot return to their previous job due to the injury, they may be eligible for services to help them return to work in a new capacity.
- Death benefits. If a worker’s leg injury ultimately leads to their death, their dependents are entitled to compensation for lost income and funeral expenses.
It’s important for injured workers to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney to understand the full range of benefits they may be entitled to before accepting a settlement offer.
How do I file a claim for workers’ comp benefits after a leg injury?
If you sustain a leg injury at work in North Carolina, you should report the injury to your employer immediately, ensuring you provide details such as when, where, and how the injury occurred. North Carolina law requires that this notification be made in writing within 30 days of the incident.
Next, you should seek medical treatment and inform the health care provider that your injury is work-related.
Then, you’ll need to file a workers’ compensation claim by completing and submitting Form 18 to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). This form should be filed as soon as possible, but no later than 2 years from the date of injury, to start the claims process.
If you suffered a serious injury or your claim is denied, consider consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney to ensure your rights are protected and to maximize your chances of receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled.
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