Introduction
North Carolina's system of worker's compensation
(workman's comp) is compulsory, meaning that employers are required to
provide worker's compensation insurance for their employees. Worker's
compensation insurance may be provided through a private insurance
carrier, or employers may self-insure. Waivers are not permitted.
Special Employment Situations
Employers with fewer than three employees, or certain
individual sawmill and logging operators with less than ten employees,
are exempt from the state's worker's compensation act. Agricultural
employers with more than ten full-time nonseasonal agricultural workers
must provide worker's compensation coverage. Domestic servants are
covered by the state worker's compensation act if they work for an
employer who employs more than ten full-time nonseasonal laborers.
Medical Benefits & Choice of
Physician
Full medical benefits are provided to employees
entitled to worker's compensation benefits, with no time or monetary
limits. The employer selects the physician who will provide care.
Disability Benefits Provided
Payments are made for temporary total disability (TTD)
in an amount determined by a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to
weekly maximum and minimum payment amounts. Payments continue for the
duration of the disability.
Payments are made for permanent total disability (PTD)
based upon a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to weekly minimum
and maximum payment amounts. Payments for PTD continue for the duration
of the disability.
Payments for permanent partial disability (PPD) are
made based upon a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to weekly
minimum and maximum payment amounts. Payments for PPD may continue for
up to 300 weeks.
Scheduled awards are paid in addition to total
temporary disability benefits starting upon termination of the
termination of the TTD benefits. Scheduled awards are not reduced
because of receipt of TTD benefits.
Benefits may be available for serious disfigurement of
the face, head and body, when no compensation is otherwise payable under
the schedule of injuries.
Physical rehabilitation benefits are available. There
is no provision for vocational rehabilitation in the worker's
compensation law.
With certain constraints and filing deadlines,
occupational hearing losses may be compensable.
Death Benefits Provided
Death benefits are payable to an employee's surviving
spouse, or spouse and children, based upon a percentage of the
employee's wages, subject to a cap. A minimum benefit is provided
regardless of the employee's earnings. A burial allowance is available.
Limits on Attorney Fees
Attorney fees for claimants are approved by the agency
on a case-by-case basis. In certain cases, the attorney fee may be added
to the award.
- Protect your employees:
Provide your employees no-fault liability insurance for work-related
injury and illness, covering medical expenses, lost wages, vocation
rehabilitation, and more.
- Avoid Fines and Penalties:
Prevent your company from being the target of an investigation by
your state's department of labor or workman's compensation agency.
- Reduce lost productivity:
Workman's comp can work to your advantage. Monitor temporarily
disabled employee's progress and make accommodations for their early
return. It's your right.
- Reduce litigation and waste:
Save time and money by providing your employees capped rewards for
work-related injuries or illness.
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