Quick Answer
If you were hurt on a construction site in Charlotte, North Carolina, a workers' compensation claim is usually the first legal path to look at. A Charlotte construction workers' comp lawyer can help you report the injury to your employer, file the claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and respond if the claim is denied. The notice deadline is short, so act quickly.
- Give your employer written notice of the injury right away (no later than 30 days). The Industrial Commission says notice is due no later than 30 days after the accident or compensation may not be payable.
- A claim is filed with the Industrial Commission on Form 18.
- The Industrial Commission states that a two-year statute of limitations applies to workers' compensation claims.
- If the claim is denied, a hearing can be requested on Form 33.
Introduction
A worker slips on a wet deck, a plank shifts on a scaffold, or a roofer loses footing on a steep surface. Within seconds, a normal workday turns into an emergency room visit and a pile of questions.
This page is for construction workers hurt on job sites in and around Charlotte, in Mecklenburg County. It explains the workers' compensation side of the problem in plain language. It does not cover every possible claim.
If you are looking for a Charlotte construction workers' comp lawyer, start with the basics below. People also search for a construction workers comp lawyer Charlotte, a construction accident lawyer Charlotte NC, a construction accident attorney Charlotte NC, Charlotte construction accident attorneys or a construction injury attorney Charlotte. They show what to do first, what the Industrial Commission says about deadlines, and what to ask when you speak with a lawyer.
Nothing here replaces advice about your own facts. Dates, job titles, the type of employer and the type of injury can all change the answer.
Read the sections in order if you are new to the process. If you already reported the injury, skip ahead to the filing and denial sections. Keep a notebook or phone note with every date you remember.
What Workers' Compensation Covers After a Construction Injury
Workers' compensation is the North Carolina system for injuries that happen on the job. The North Carolina Industrial Commission, at ic.nc.gov, oversees these claims.
Construction is physical work with heights, power tools, heavy materials and electrical systems. When a worker is hurt, the injury usually leads to a workers' compensation claim before anything else.
This page is about injury-based claims in North Carolina only. The firm does not handle wage disputes, discrimination, retaliation or wrongful termination cases, federal employee compensation claims, or workers' compensation claims in Florida.
The Industrial Commission has Information Specialists who answer questions about procedures and forms. The Commission notes that they cannot give legal advice. A lawyer can fill that gap.
For a broader overview, see our page on construction accident workers' compensation claims. For local information, see the Charlotte workers' compensation lawyer page.
Common Charlotte Job Site Injuries
People search for a Charlotte construction accident attorney after many kinds of injuries. The most common searches involve falls, scaffolds, roofs and electrical contact.
A fall from a ladder, a roof or a raised platform can cause broken bones, spinal injuries and head injuries. Many workers look for a Charlotte construction injury lawyer after a fall because recovery can take a long time. You can also read about a Charlotte construction worker injured after a fall.
Scaffolding accidents are another frequent reason for calls. A person hurt on a scaffold may look for a Charlotte scaffolding accident attorney, a scaffolding injury attorney in Charlotte, or a Charlotte scaffolding work injury lawyer. The legal first step is often the same: report the injury and start the claim.
Roofing work carries its own risks. A Charlotte roofing work injury lawyer can review how the injury happened, what medical care you have received, and what the employer or its insurance company has done so far.
Electrical contact is a serious danger on any site. A Charlotte electrocution work injury lawyer can explain how the claim process works if you were shocked or burned while working.
In our experience, a common pattern is a worker who waits to report a pain or a fall because the injury seemed minor at first. Symptoms often grow over the following days, and the delay can make the claim harder to explain.
Not every claim starts with a dramatic fall. Back injuries from lifting, cuts from tools and injuries from falling materials can also lead to claims. Occupational disease has its own notice rule. The Industrial Commission says the 30 days begin when the employee is advised by competent medical authority of the disease.
Whatever the cause, the questions are similar. Where were you working, who was your employer, who saw the accident, and what did the doctor say?
Reporting the Injury and Filing Form 18
The Industrial Commission says an injured worker should give written notice to the employer immediately or as soon thereafter as practicable. It cites N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22 for this rule.
The same Industrial Commission page says notice must be given no later than 30 days after the accident or else compensation may not be payable. Do not wait for the last day.
The Industrial Commission also says an employee can file a workers' compensation claim by completing and filing a Form 18. Your employer filing its own paperwork does not replace this step. The Commission states that an employer's Form 19 does not count as filing a claim for the employee.
There is also a filing deadline. The Industrial Commission says a two-year statute of limitations applies to workers' compensation claims. Ask a lawyer how that deadline applies to your dates.
On medical care, the Industrial Commission states that the employer or its insurance company provides and directs treatment, subject to Commission orders. Ask about this before you choose a doctor on your own.
The Industrial Commission also says travel of 20 miles or more round trip for authorized treatment may be reimbursed, requested on a Form 25T. Keep your mileage notes with your medical records.
A workers' compensation lawyer can help you keep dates, medical records and notices in order. Write down when you told your employer, whom you told, and how.
If the Claim Is Denied: Form 33
Employers and insurance companies sometimes deny a claim. A denial is not always the end of the matter.
The Industrial Commission says that if a claim is denied, you may request a hearing before a Deputy Commissioner by filing a Form 33. A lawyer can explain how this fits your facts.
The Commission also says that after a denial you may go to a health care provider of your choice. It adds that the employer or insurance carrier may request an independent medical examination.
If you are searching for construction accident attorneys in Charlotte because a claim was denied, bring every letter, form and message you received. Those papers show what the insurer said and when.
The Commission adds that if benefits go unpaid, you should call the carrier or administrator first. After that, you may file a motion with the Executive Secretary's Office.
Do not ignore a letter that asks for a response by a certain date. Missing a response window can create problems that are hard to fix later.
Other Parties and Questions to Ask a Lawyer
Sometimes more than one company is involved on a construction site. There may be a general contractor, a subcontractor, an equipment maker or a property owner.
Whether a claim against someone other than your employer exists is a legal question. This page does not decide it. Ask the lawyer whether it is worth looking into in your situation.
Good questions for your first call include the following. Has my injury been reported correctly? Which forms apply to me? What deadlines are running? What should I avoid saying to the insurance adjuster?
A lawyer can give you a clearer answer after reviewing your records. A short call is often enough to learn what to do next.
If you were hurt on a large site with several companies, write down who hired you, who paid you and who gave you daily instructions. Those details help the lawyer see the full picture.
It also helps to ask who will handle your file, how the firm will keep you updated, and how it communicates with Spanish-speaking clients.
Checklist: What You Need
- The date, time and place of the accident, including the job site address.
- The name of your employer and, if different, the general contractor or staffing company.
- The names of coworkers or supervisors who saw the accident or heard about it.
- A record of when and how you gave notice of the injury to your employer.
- Medical records, discharge papers, work notes and prescriptions.
- Photos of the site, the equipment and your injuries, if you can safely take them.
- Any letters, emails or text messages from your employer or the insurance company.
- A copy of any form you signed, including Form 18 if one has been filed.
- A list of missed work days and any job duties your doctor has limited.
- Your questions, written down before the call, so nothing is forgotten.
Timeline and Process
The table below is a general outline. It uses only the steps and deadlines published by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Your case may move differently. For current information about forms and procedures, visit the Industrial Commission website and ask the lawyer about your dates.
| Stage | What happens | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Report the injury | Written notice is due immediately or as soon as practicable, and no later than 30 days after the accident. | The injured worker |
| Get medical care | The employer or insurer provides and directs treatment, subject to Commission orders. | The worker, employer and insurer |
| File the claim | The employee completes and files Form 18 with the Industrial Commission. | The injured worker or lawyer |
| Filing deadline | A two-year statute of limitations applies to workers' compensation claims. | The injured worker or lawyer |
| Claim denied | A hearing before a Deputy Commissioner can be requested on Form 33. | The injured worker or lawyer |
The Industrial Commission does not give one fixed time for each stage on these pages. Ask during your consultation what to expect in your own claim.
Cost Factors
People often ask what a lawyer will cost before they call. The firm does not post dollar figures on this page. Fee questions are handled in the consultation, where your facts can be reviewed.
Bring your questions about money in writing. Ask what the firm needs from you, what happens if the claim is denied, and how you will be told about progress.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | Ask during your consultation | A free consultation is available when the case qualifies. |
| Attorney fees | Ask during your consultation | Ask how fees are set and when they are due. |
| Case expenses | Ask during your consultation | Ask which costs may come up, such as records. |
| Medical bills | Ask during your consultation | Ask who is responsible for treatment connected to the claim. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting to give your employer written notice of the injury. The Industrial Commission sets a 30 day notice limit.
- Assuming the employer's paperwork counts as your claim. The Commission says an employee files a claim on Form 18.
- Missing the two-year limit that applies to workers' compensation claims.
- Giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before you understand your rights.
- Skipping medical visits or ignoring work restrictions from your doctor.
- Losing records, photos, messages and letters connected to the accident.
- Posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
- Treating a denial as final without asking a lawyer about Form 33.
When to Contact Vasquez Law Firm
Call early if you were hurt on a construction job in North Carolina. This is especially true if your employer has not reported the injury, the insurer has denied the claim, or you are unsure which form to file.
Other good reasons to call include a pain that keeps getting worse, a doctor who has limited your duties, or pressure to return to work before you feel ready. Each of these deserves a conversation about your options.
The firm handles injury-based workers' compensation claims in North Carolina. It does not handle wage, discrimination, retaliation or wrongful termination disputes, federal workers' compensation claims, or Florida claims.
If you are near Charlotte, you can speak with the firm by phone or video. Call 1-844-967-3536 to ask about your situation.
About Vasquez Law Firm
Attorney William J. Vásquez leads Vasquez Law Firm. The firm has offices at 4426 Louisburg Road, Suite 206, Raleigh, NC 27616 and 612 South Brightleaf Boulevard, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Help with North Carolina workers' compensation is also available statewide by phone and video. Call 1-844-967-3536.
Consultations are offered in English and Spanish. A free consultation is available when the case qualifies. You can also read the firm's workers' compensation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first after a construction accident in Charlotte?
Get medical care, then give your employer written notice of the injury right away (no later than 30 days). The Industrial Commission says notice is due immediately or as soon as practicable, and no later than 30 days after the accident.
How do I file a workers' compensation claim in North Carolina?
The Industrial Commission says an employee can file a claim by completing and filing a Form 18. A lawyer can help you with the form.
Does my employer filing a form mean my claim is filed?
Not necessarily. The Industrial Commission states that an employer's Form 19 does not count as filing a workers' compensation claim for the employee.
Is there a deadline to file a claim?
The Industrial Commission says a two-year statute of limitations applies to workers' compensation claims. Ask a lawyer how it applies to your dates.
Who chooses my doctor?
The Industrial Commission states that the employer or its insurance company provides and directs medical treatment, subject to Commission orders. Ask a lawyer before you pick a doctor yourself.
What if my claim is denied?
The Industrial Commission says you may request a hearing before a Deputy Commissioner by filing a Form 33. Bring all denial letters to a lawyer.
Can I see my own doctor if the claim is denied?
The Industrial Commission says that after a denial you may go to a health care provider of your choice. The employer or carrier may request an independent medical examination.
Does the firm handle wage or discrimination disputes after an injury?
No. The firm handles injury-based workers' compensation claims in North Carolina. It does not handle wage, discrimination, retaliation or wrongful termination disputes.
Could someone other than my employer be responsible for my injury?
That is a legal question. Ask the lawyer during your consultation whether another company or party should be looked at in your situation.
Can I talk to the firm in Spanish if I live near Charlotte?
Yes. The firm works in English and Spanish. Charlotte clients meet with the firm by phone and video, because the firm's office there does not hold consultations. A free consultation is available when the case qualifies. Call 1-844-967-3536.
Sources and References
- North Carolina Industrial Commission: Injured Workers
- North Carolina Industrial Commission: Frequently Asked Questions
- North Carolina Industrial Commission: Forms
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