Charlotte Police Injury Attorneys

Assisting North Carolina Police Officers With Workers’ Compensation Claims

Police officers typically face a wide range of dangers and hazards on a day-to-day basis, and the possibility of physical or mental injuries comes with the job. When these brave officers are injured in the line of duty, they have the right to access medical treatment and money for lost wages through the workers’ compensation system. Unfortunately, many officers have a difficult time getting the benefits they need to cover expenses and losses.

If you are a police officer who was injured while on the job or because of your work, our capable and driven team at Stewart Law Offices is committed to helping you secure fair compensation. Our Charlotte police injury lawyers are passionate about championing the rights of first responders and will give you the respect and compassion you deserve. If you are unable to come to us, one of our attorneys is happy to visit you at your home or in the hospital, where we will review your rights and options. Our goal is to maximize what you recover and make the process of navigating the workers’ compensation system as efficient and painless as possible. Relieving your burden is our top priority, and we are prepared to help you work toward overcoming any obstacle that might prevent you from getting the money and care you need.

When you hire one of our Charlotte police injury lawyers, you put a relentless, knowledgeable advocate on your side.

We understand how to enforce your rights and will stop at nothing in our pursuit to protect your interests.

Can Police Officers Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits in North Carolina?

Private employers operating in North Carolina are required to have workers’ compensation insurance policies when they employ three or more employees. Government agencies, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, are also required to carry workers’ compensation policies. This means police officers (and other first responders) can access benefits when they suffer a work-related injury.

Many police officers are physically injured in car accidents or when attempting to resolve violent situations. Some may also suffer from overexertion due to the intense nature of the job or health conditions stemming from toxic exposure. Workers’ compensation is meant to protect police officers when they suffer any of these job-related injuries.

Workers’ compensation insurance covers the following types of work-related injuries:

• Physical injuries sustained in an on-the-job accident
• Repetitive stress injuries sustained due to repeated motions required by the job
• Occupational illnesses sustained due to police work, including mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

You do not need to prove anyone was at fault to successfully file a workers’ compensation claim. Unless you were intoxicated or trying to injure yourself, you only need to prove your injury was work-related to qualify for benefits.

Police officers must report work-related injuries to their employers within 30 days of sustaining or discovering them. Benefits will likely be denied if this deadline is missed, so you should generally file a formal, written report of your injuries as soon as you can after an accident or once you begin to suspect an illness or repetitive stress injury may be work-related.

Assuming you reported your work-related injury within the time limit, you will have two years from the date you were injured or discovered your work-related injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. Our Charlotte police injury attorneys can help you prepare and submit your claim.

What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can Police Officers Receive in North Carolina?

Workers’ compensation is meant to cover the costs of all medical treatments needed to treat injuries sustained in connection with police work. That means a police officer’s hospital care, physical therapy, laboratory tests, surgeries, pharmaceuticals, mental health care, and all other forms of treatment should all be covered. A police officer’s employer or the employer’s insurer has the right to choose the doctors they see, and these doctors decide what treatments are necessary.

If you are temporarily or permanently unable to return to work due to the severity of your injuries, you can also recover a percentage of lost income through temporary or permanent disability benefits. The families of officers who suffer fatal injuries in the line of duty can also access death benefits, which include coverage for a portion of the wages the officer would have earned. After assessing your situation, our team at Stewart Law Offices can estimate how much your claim is worth and review the types of benefits you are entitled to.

Why Should a Charlotte Police Officer Hire an Attorney After Suffering a Work-Related Injury?

Many workers’ compensation claims are initially denied, sometimes for spurious or unjustifiable reasons. Insurance carriers are not looking out for police officers who put themselves in harm’s way, leading to situations where they deny or undervalue legitimate claims to protect their bottom lines.

Your employer or their insurance provider may claim your injury was not work-related or that you failed to follow some procedural rule. Even if they do initially approve your claim, they may only offer an inadequate settlement or choose doctors who refuse to recognize the existence or scope of your injuries.

If you are a police officer already attempting to access workers’ compensation benefits, do not wait to get legal support if:

• Your workers’ compensation has been denied
• You are offered an inadequate settlement
• Your employer refuses to report your injury
• Your employer’s insurer is ignoring your calls and emails
• You are having trouble getting temporary or permanent disability benefits when you are unable to work
• The doctor selected by your employer or their insurer is unresponsive to your needs or does not acknowledge the true severity of your injuries