Guia de Indemnización Por Accidentes de Trabajo De Carolina Del Norte

Revisado legalmente por Elizabeth VonCannon: 1 de julio de 2026

The  experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Stewart Law Offices in North Carolina defend the rights of employees who have been injured on the job or diagnosed with an occupational disease. Call or contact us today to learn how we can help you with a workers’ compensation claim and obtain the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and losses.

What is Compensation for Work Accidents?

Workers’ compensation under the North Carolina Workers’ Accident Act provides medical coverage, wage subsidies, and other non-monetary benefits to workers who have suffered a work-related injury or have been diagnosed with an occupational disease. North Carolina employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, except in certain cases.

Who is in charge of workers’ compensation claims in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) is the agency that oversees the state’s workers’ compensation system. Its commissioners and alternate commissioners are responsible for resolving disputes between injured workers, employers, and employer insurers regarding the right to benefits claimed by employees.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in North Carolina

• Work accident: two years counted from the date of the accident.
• Occupational disease: two years from the date of diagnosis.
• Compensation for death: two years from the date of death.

Failure to comply with the mandate deadlines will result in the worker permanently losing the right to file their compensation claim.

Notification Requirements for Access to Compensation for Work Accidents

• The worker must report the accident suffered within 30 days of its occurrence.
• You must file a Form 18 or Notice of Accident to Employer and Employee Claim with the North Carolina Industrial Committee (with a copy for the employer).
• The employer has five days from the date of the injury or alleged injury to submit a Form 19 or Employer’s Report on the employee’s injuries to their insurer.

Submission Requirements

All forms and documentation must be submitted to the NCIC electronically.

Response to the Employer’s Claims.

• The employee or the insurer has 30 days to accept the claim, reject it, or pay it without res judicata effect (by filling out Forms 60, 61, or 63, as appropriate).
• The employee must receive a written explanation of the rejection of the compensation claimed within 14 days of the date of receipt.

Average Weekly Salary

• It is calculated by adding up the salaries for the entire year before the accident and dividing them by 52.
• If the employee worked for less than a year, divide the income by the number of weeks worked.
• Periods in which the employee is absent from work for more than seven consecutive days are not included in the calculation.

Compensation Rate for Work Accidents

• Calculation: 66⅔ percent of the average weekly salary without exceeding the maximum state rate.
• Maximum rate: adjusted annually ($1,028 during 2019)
• Minimum rate: $30 per week
• Travel expenses: reimbursed in the case of medical treatments more than 20 miles from home (also adjusted annually: 58 cents per mile during 2019)
• Other costs: travel, accommodation and meal costs are also subject to reimbursement as long as you have to stay away for medical treatment reasons.

Waiting Period Before Payment

• You must wait seven days before compensation is paid (except for those related to medical expenses).
• If you are unable to work for more than 21 days, you will be reimbursed for the first seven days.
• Payments are made weekly, unless otherwise indicated by the NCIC.

Medical Benefits for Workers Who Meet the Requirements

• Costos cubiertos: el empleador deberá pagar los tratamientos médicos que puedan curar una lesión, aliviar un dolor o ayudar al empleado a volver a trabajar. Se incluye la indemnización por todas las afecciones que sean «consecuencia directa o natural» de un accidente de trabajo.

Manejo de las Controversias por el Pago de Indemnizaciones de Accidentes de Trabajo en Carolina del Norte

Si el empleado no puede acceder al tratamiento médico o no se le reintegran los ingresos perdidos en un plazo razonable, puede llamar a la aseguradora o solicitar una audiencia con el NCIC presentando un Formulario 33 o Petición de audiencia sobre el reclamo.

Tipos de Indemnización por Invalidez

Invalidez Total Temporal (TTD, por sus siglas en inglés)

• Destinada a los trabajadores que sufran una discapacidad total pero solo temporalmente después de sufrir un accidente de trabajo. 66⅔ por ciento del salario promedio semanal sin exceder la tasa indemnizatoria fijada por el estado.
• Restringida a un total de 500 semanas para accidentes que hayan ocurrido luego del 24/06/2011; sin tope de reclamo para antes de esa fecha.
• Persiste la obligación de pagar esta indemnización mientras el empleado esté autorizado a trabajar, pero con limitaciones.

Invalidez Parcial Temporal (TPD, por sus siglas en inglés)

• Se paga cuando el trabajador que se está recuperando puede volver a trabajar, pero con un salario bajo.
• Debe haber un 66⅔ por ciento de diferencia entre el salario promedio mensual que percibía antes del accidente y el salario promedio mensual posterior a ese evento. No ha de exceder el máximo fijado por el estado.
• Restringida a un total de 300 semanas para accidentes antes del 24/06/2011 y a 500 semanas para accidentes que hayan ocurrido luego del 24/06/2011.

Invalidez Total Permanente (PTD, por sus siglas en inglés)

• Destinada a empleado que ya no puedan volver a trabajar.
• El empleado percibe una indemnización médica y el 66⅔ por ciento de su salario promedio semanal durante toda su vida.
• Algunas lesiones son consideradas PTD sin más trámite, incluidas las pérdidas de ambas manos, brazos, pies, piernas, ojos y cualquier combinación de estas.
• Además, puede incluir algunos traumatismos cerebrales, parálisis y quemaduras graves de, como mínimo, el 33 por ciento del cuerpo.

Invalidez Parcial Permanente

• Destinada a los trabajadores que hayan alcanzado un grado máximo de mejoría médica (MMI, por sus siglas en inglés), pero que aún presenten deficiencias en alguna parte del cuerpo «listadas» según la Ley de Accidentes Laborales de Carolina del Norte (N.C.G.S., arts. 97-31)
• El MMI es determinado por un médico, que le asigna al trabajador una calificación que representa el porcentaje de pérdida de funcionalidad.
• Las partes del cuerpo listadas dan derecho a una indemnización por una determinada cantidad de semanas según el porcentaje de perdida de funcionalidad.

Listado de Miembros y Partes del Cuerpo

Lesión y tiempo de indemnización (semanas)

• Arm – 240 Back – 300 *If the loss of functionality is greater than 75 percent Total disability — 100 percent loss
• Ears: One ear – 70 Both – 150
• Eye – 120
• Fingers*: Thumb – 75 Index – 45 Middle – 40 Ring – 25 Little – 20 *Loss of the first phalanx of the thumb or finger counts as loss of half of the affected finger, so the compensation period will correspond to half of the specified weeks.
• Foot – 144
• Hand – 200
• Leg – 200
• Toes*: Big toe – 35 All others – 10 * Loss of the first phalanx of any toe counts as loss of half of the affected toe, so the compensation period will correspond to half of the specified weeks.
• Severe disfigurement of the head or face – up to $20,000. Severe bodily disfigurement – up to $10,000. Loss of or permanent injury to a major organ – up to $20,000.

Compensation for Death in Work Accidents in North Carolina

• The death must be linked to a work accident.
• It must occur within six years of the date of the accident or the onset of disability, or within two years of the final determination of disability by the NCIC.
• It will be paid to the employee’s dependents, and funeral costs may not exceed $10,000.
• 500 weeks after the death occurred for claims filed after 24/06/2011, with some exceptions.

Contact the North Carolina Industrial Commission

Postal address

1240 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1240

Location

430 N. Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27603

NCIC Main Telephone*

(919) 807-2501 (800) 688-8349

*Press 1 to check the status of Forms 18 and 19 or to find your NCIC file number*Press 3 for claims or procedural inquiries*Press 0 for general questions

Fax number

(919) 715-0282
Email: [email protected]