I Got Hurt During My Company’s Vegas Trip – Is that Workers’ Compensation?

Many companies have a yearly outing to Las Vegas, or another similar destination where alcohol is flowing freely, and judgment is often compromised by a “party” atmosphere.  So, what happens if you get injured during the good times?  Is your injury covered under workers’ compensation?  If you slip and break your collarbone because you slipped on the casino’s marble steps, there are factors which dictate whether this is workers’ compensation or not.  The workers’ compensation laws of North Carolina and South Carolina construe what is in the course of your employment very broadly.

Factors that come into play for an injury that occurred at a company outing include: 

• Whether the outing was sponsored, and paid for by your employer.
• Whether you were paid wages for attending.
• Whether the outing was considered a fringe benefit of employment.
• Whether attendance was mandatory, and whether there would be a penalty for not attending.

And, whether the purpose of the outing was to benefit the employer, such as improving employer/employee relations.

So, if you have been hurt on the job during a company outing, pick up the phone and call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Tippens & Zurosky Wish You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

It seems that all year we rush to get the kids off to school, rush to work, and rush home.  And the next day, we get up and do it all over again.  Time doesn’t stop churning along, but sometimes we just feel so swept up in the hectic pace of life.  As the year comes to a close, now is the time to reflect back on the year, and either find closure if it wasn’t so great for you, or revel in the pleasant memories you may have of a wedding, birth of a child, or grandchild, or dream vacation.  All things pass, whether good or bad, and all we are ultimately left with is the perspective we gain from the experience.

So, this holiday season have a healthy perspective of your life, and don’t worry about the things, or the people you cannot change.  Instead, enjoy your life for your many blessings, and give thanks to all of those people that make your life a little bit better.  You may find you are the one that makes their lives better too!  Also, enjoy the little things in life, like the fall of the snow, the joy in a child’s eyes, and the unconditional love of your prized pooch.  Life is indeed what you make it, and this holiday season we hope you make your life the very best it can be for you and yours!     

If you get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina during this holiday season, Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you. 

Driving Tips To Stay Safe In The Carolina's This Holiday Season

Darkness Falls Across the Land…

We are rapidly approaching that time of year when Daylight Savings Time forces us to go to work when it is dark out, and return home from work, and school activities after the sun has set.  It seems that we don’t even get a chance to experience any sunlight, unless it is from the windows of our schools, or workplaces.  The madness of rush hour gets even crazier, no matter where you live, and even though our schedule has stayed the same it seems we have less time on our hands to get where we need to be.  So, when your daily routine has you driving around in the dark, don’t fall prey to the temptation to go a little bit faster, and get to your home, or job – a little less carefully.

Since your daylight is literally shorter, start your day just a little bit earlier, so you can get yourself, and your loved ones where they need to be that day.  It is also wise to focus on your surroundings, and if you are passing a school, recreational park, or playground be extra cautious of children that may be playing, or practicing sports for their school, church, or club. The reality is that if you can’t see as well in the darkness that applies to the other drivers on the road too, except those drivers may not be as careful as they should be, and they may cause an accident.

If you find yourself as the victim of a careless driver, and get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina, Tippens & Zurosky has time for you, and your questions.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you. 

Can a Manager File For Workers Compensation?

Managers and Supervisors Get Hurt on the Job Too!

In many companies, managers and supervisors have their compensation and bonus structure tied to the amount of accidents that occur on the job on their watch.  So naturally, these managers and supervisors will often discourage their charges from making workers’ compensation claims.  At the very least, they will try to avoid being the one that documents the injury so it won’t fall on them.  But, what happens when managers, or supervisors, get hurt on the job in North Carolina or South Carolina?

Unfortunately, in our experience, we see managers, or supervisors that either, do not report their own injuries for fear of reprisal, or try to work outside medical restrictions and just “tough” it out.  Then, they have a shocking realization when the company that they have been loyal to, is not loyal to them.  The district manager, or owner that they attended company business meetings with, and even considered a friend, no longer take their calls, or answers any emails or text messages.  The reality of the matter is that highly paid employees, such as managers, or supervisors, have high compensation rates that make their workers’ compensation cases very expensive to their company.  So, the company does what is in the best interest of the company, and quite often cuts their losses, and moves on from their loyal employee.  Don’t let this happen to you!   

Workers’ compensation cases can be confusing, especially when your company is just doing what is best for it!  You need someone to look out for you, so call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

If You Get Hurt On The Job Do You Need An Attorney?

Perception is Reality

How an employee is perceived by management, and the company in general, sometimes plays a role in how the employee will be treated in his or her workers’ compensation case.  Right or wrong, the perception of the injured worker, and the level of dedication, or lack thereof, they bring to the job can affect whether the case is accepted or denied, how quickly medical treatment is authorized, and whether the employee will ultimately return to the job, or be terminated.  The employee that shows up every day, works hard at what he or she does, and does not cause any morale, or discipline problems will often be treated better by the workers’ compensation carrier which is getting its’ information from the employer.

Of course, the one absolute is that there are no absolutes.  We also hear from twenty year employees of businesses that are fired the same day after getting hurt on the job.  Some companies make it an unfortunate part of their business practice to deny workers’ compensation claims that they should have accepted.  So, the same perception is reality rule also applies to this situation.  If you work at a company where everyone that gets hurt on the job gets fired, and their case get denied, it stands to reason that will happen to you if you get hurt on the job no matter how good of a worker you are, and how long you have been there!  In this case, the reality is that you are going to need an attorney.

Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who focus on workers' compensation and automobile accidents.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Can You File For Workers’ Compensation If You Are In a Car Accident On The Job?

Automobile Accidents on the Job

We get lots of calls from injured workers who are in an automobile accident on the job, wondering if they have a workers’ compensation case, or not.  The confusion lies in the set of facts where the worker has completed the job at the work site, and is on the way back to the company office, or terminal to drop off the work truck when the accident happens.  If the accident happens in the company work truck on the way back to the company office, this is a compensable workers’ compensation case.  If you are the driver of the truck, and as part of your job duties you pick up other employees, and drop them off at their houses, and an accident occurs, this too is a compensable workers’ compensation case.

We have heard of supervisors telling injured workers that because they had left the work site that it wasn’t workers’ compensation, which is simply not true.  A lot of times workers that are injured in auto accidents on the job are worried about filing a claim because they are afraid they are going to lose their jobs.  The law says that in an automobile accident on the job that the employer, or their workers’ compensation carrier, must pay for medical care, time out of work under the law’s guidelines, and permanent disability.  With liens being filed by more and more hospitals, the last thing an injured worker needs to worry about is getting stuck with an expensive hospital bill that is not paid in full! 

If you have been hurt in an automobile accident on the job, you will get an opinion on what you should do from your supervisor, friends, and family.  You need to protect yourself, and the first step in that is calling us! Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who focus on workers' compensation and automobile accidents.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Was Your Workers’ Compensation Case Denied? Tippens & Zurosky Can Help.

Was Your Case Denied Because You Weren’t Sure Exactly When You Hurt Your Back?

If you injure your back on the job, the law requires you to have been injured in a “specific traumatic event,” which is defined as injuring yourself as a direct result of the work assigned to you such as lifting up a box, or pallet.  The law does not, however, require you to know the exact hour, or even day that the injury happened.  But, some employers and their workers’ compensation insurance companies have a rather different take on the law.

We hear of injured workers getting their workers’ compensation claims denied simply for not knowing the exact second, minute, or hour they hurt their back lifting up a box.  Literally, the injured worker was not looking at his watch while lifting the box, and tried to keep working through it the rest of his shift.  When he couldn’t give the exact time he was lifting the box that injured his back, his case was denied.  His case should have been accepted by simply reporting to his supervisor that he lifted a box, and felt pain in his back.     

Don’t let your company, or the workers’ compensation insurance company, tell you what the law is on back injuries!  Call Tippens & Zurosky so that we may help you get the answers you need about your workers’ compensation case.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you today. 

On The Road In Charlotte? Put Your Phone Down.

We have covered the dangers of texting while driving in this blog before, yet not a day goes by where you can drive on any street in North Carolina, or South Carolina, and see someone texting while driving.  And, if they are not texting while actually driving, their face is pressed firmly into their phone at any available opportunity such as a stoplight, traffic jam, or even waiting for traffic to clear in front of them.  If you are looking at your phone, you are not paying attention to what is happening around you.  How many parents lecture their children on not texting and driving, yet that rule does not seem to apply to them.

While we are on the subject of phones and texting, let’s expand the discussion into sending texts, or posting reviews on the Internet of businesses you patronize.  The general rule should be to not text, or post anything that you wouldn’t say in person to the person you are sending it to, or posting about.  Some folks feel that technology, and cell phones in general are responsible for the breakdown of common courtesy, manners, and basic person to person communication.

The reality is that it is real easy to text, or post something negative.  In fact, some would argue that texting, or posting actually encourages this behavior, even when the thing being posted about isn’t even warranted.  How many people actually talk to the person they have the issue with anymore?  How many people talk to the manager, or owner of the business they perceive to have slighted them?  The sad answer is most folks are content to just hide behind the screen of their phone, or computer.

Technology is not going away, but you control your use of it, and not the other way around.  Some studies have compared what happens when parents take away all of their kid’s electronic devices to drug withdrawal.  The symptoms were nearly the same!  So, as impossible as it seems to be able to truly disconnect in today’s world, perhaps it would behoove all of us to try.  Who knows?  We might even meet walking down the street, and have a nice good old-fashioned conversation.

Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who focus on workers' compensation and automobile accidents.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Tips To Keep Your Summer Fun & Accident Free

Summer Fun – But Then Things Happened So Fast!

Summer is a hustle and bustle of many fun activities as individuals, couples, and families head off to vacations, and participate in leisure activities.  There is no doubt that folks are more active in the summer which can unfortunately lead to unforeseen injuries due to the negligence of others that either aren’t being careful, or are having a little too much fun at what turns out to be your expense.

One of the types of accidents that increase in the summer are motorcycle accidents as more riders are on the highways and byways of North Carolina, and South Carolina to take advantage of the beautiful weather.  So, if you are a motorcycle rider, be aware that there are a whole bunch of distracted drivers out there who may not see you because they are distracted by their children, texting while driving, or their GPS.  If you are driving a full carload of family members to the beach and the mountains please be extra aware of the motorcyclists who are trying to enjoy the beauties of the road just like you and your family.

If you are swimming and boating, please remember that these activities mix rather poorly with alcohol consumption, and the heat of the sun.  Much like you would do for your car, have a designated driver for your boat.  Make sure to stay hydrated, and put on sunscreen to avoid being overcome by the heat.  Things happen all too fast on the water, and distraction alone, let alone distraction paired with alcohol, can have tragic consequences.  If you are at an amusement park, or water park, take the time to make sure the establishment you are patronizing has the reputation for hiring experienced personnel, so that you and your family can enjoy your day safely, and securely.  

We wish you and your families a happy and fun filled summer, but if an accident occurs that you have questions about, pick up the phone and call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and advocate for you and your family!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights in North Carolina, or South Carolina.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

How Social Should Your Social Media Be? Can Social Media be used in court?

The short answer is not very social!  If you are hurt in an automobile accident, or on the job in North Carolina or South Carolina, your social media presence could have a negative effect on your case.  In this age of selfies, Facebook, Instagram, and personal blogs, it is very easy to get yourself out on the Internet with your innermost thoughts and feelings on full display for the world to see.

However, if you are hurt in an automobile accident, and have to go to trial, perhaps the jury members won’t be so forgiving of a tweet, picture, or posting that doesn’t portray you in the most favorable light.  Those of us in the legal field call it electronic discovery, but to a plaintiff in a lawsuit such discovery is potentially harmful to their case.  The same new rules apply in a workers’compensation case.  If you are hurt on the job, it is best to shut down you social media presence because believe me your company, and their workers’ compensation insurance company are very interested in what you are posting.  We have seen cases where old posts come back to haunt clients who have new and sometimes devastating injuries.  So what can you do to protect yourself is to shut it down, and if you are going to be active keep it as private as possible with the caveat that if someone really wants to get your social media information they probably will be successful regardless of the protections that you think you have in place.     

Tippens & Zurosky is here to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs, and has skilled and compassionate attorneys available to answer any and all questions that you might have about your case.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you. 

If I Get Hurt At a Company Event Can I Claim Workers Compensation?

I Got Hurt at My Company Picnic, or Outing – Is that Workers’ Compensation?

Many companies have summer picnics, or social activities, but what happens if you get injured at this summer outing.  Is your injury covered under workers’ compensation?  If you slip and break your ankle because you slid into home plate at the company’s annual summer softball game, there are factors which dictate whether this is workers’ compensation or not.  The workers’ compensation laws of North Carolina and South Carolina construe what is in the course of your employment very broadly.

Factors that come into play for an injury that occurred at the summer outing include:

Whether the party was sponsored, and paid for by your employer.

Whether you were paid wages for attending, and whether attendance was taken.

Whether the party was considered a fringe benefit of employment.

Whether you were required to work if you didn’t go to the outing.

Whether attendance was mandatory, and whether there would be a penalty for not attending, i.e was it really mandatory.

Whether there was a known company custom for attending the outing.

And, whether the purpose of the party was to benefit the employer, such as improving employer/employee relations, and the kind of event where awards were given, and speeches were made that were connected to the company’s work, and that of the employees.

So, if you have been hurt on the job during a company outing, pick up the phone and call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Tips For A Safe Summer In The Carolinas

A Safe Summer is the Best Summer

Summer is here and with school out many young and inexperienced drivers are on the road at times they are usually not driving.  Some may be traveling to summer jobs, and learning the hazards of morning rush hour, while others may be going to water parks, amusement parks, or the beaches or mountains.  So, be aware of these carloads of potential chaos, and make sure to give these young drivers extra following space, and allow them the courtesy of learning the right, and safe way to drive by being a good example on the road.

If you have a job that takes you outside in the summer months, take the simple, common sense precautions of staying hydrated, having on sun protection, and being aware for signs of heat stroke.  Also, the forests, mountains, oceans, rivers, and lakes of North Carolina and South Carolina are teeming with wild creatures and insects that may choose to defend their territory.  Take a little more time if need be to finish that task, and avoid the careless stepping on of a hornet’s nest, or fire ant mound.  Sure, you have yourself a workers’ compensation case, and your employer, or their workers’ compensation insurance company will pay for your medical bills, but that is a painful way to learn about the workers’ compensation process!    

Tippens & Zurosky is available to serve your auto accident and workers’ compensation needs, and wishes you a safe and happy summer.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents, or hurt on the job in North Carolina and South Carolina for nearly twenty years.  Let us answer any of your questions regarding any automobile accident, or work-related injury.  Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you. 

My Manager Doesn't Want Me To File Workers Compensation, What Should I Do?

Why Doesn’t My Manager Want Me to File Workers’ Compensation?

If you are injured on the job, and your claim is accepted by your self-insured company, or your company’s workers’ compensation carrier, your employer is responsible for paying your medicals bills, time out of work, and possibly compensation for a permanent injury.  But, sometimes an injured workers’ manager, or supervisor creates roadblocks to even get the claim reported.  Now, just why would your manager, or supervisor do this to you?  Because the reality is – your manager, or supervisor thinks your workers’ compensation claim is going to have a negative effect on them!

Some companies tier manager bonuses on the amount of lost time accidents that occur on their watch.  So, if you are hurt on the job and go to report it, your manager may see you as siphoning money out of his/her wallet, when all you are trying to do is get the medical care you need for your on the job injury.  Some companies also tie in more than bonuses to workers’ compensation cases that happen under a managers’ supervision.  Some companies tie in performance evaluations, area budgets, and continued employment based on the amount of injuries that occur.  It is no wonder that some managers try to convince employees not to file claims, or allege they cannot “find” any accident reports, or even state they simply do not have any idea how to do that “workers’ compensation” thing.        

Workers’ compensation claims can be quite frustrating without your manager, or supervisor trying to sabotage your case!  You need someone to look out for you, so call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

How Long Should You Wait To File a Workers' Comp Claim?

Good for the Company is Not Good for You

A common scenario we see on a regular basis is when someone calls in with a workers’ compensation claim that is being denied because it wasn’t reported, or was reported after a significant period of time.  Many companies post in conspicuous spots in their warehouses, or other workspace the amount of time it has been since an on the job injury occurred.  Sometimes, there is an unspoken pressure on an injured worker to not report a claim so that they “don’t mess it up for everybody else.”  Likewise, witnesses to a workers’ compensation case involving one of their co-workers often feel pressured to do witness statements that present the facts in the light most favorable to the company, or that simply state that they “witnessed nothing at all.”

If you are injured on the job, report it immediately, and don’t be afraid about the repercussions to your fellow employees.  What is good for the company in this case, is not good for your health, and that of your family.  Your company has the legal obligation in an accepted workers’ compensation case to pay your medical bills in full, pay you compensation at 2/3 of your average weekly wage if you are written out of work, and compensate you for a permanent injury.  Ironically, we see people that did not report their on the job injury “for the good of the  company” get terminated because they can no longer work due to their injury.

Workers’ compensation cases can be confusing, especially when your company is just doing what is best for it!  You need someone to look out for you, so call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Hurt On The Job? What Should You Do Next?

Should I Talk to the Workers’ Compensation Adjuster?

Most people think that if they are hurt on the job, then quite obviously their companies’ workers’ compensation insurance company should be responsible for paying their medical bills, paying them when they are out or work, and compensating them for any permanent injuries.  It is understandable why an injured worker would think that, and why shouldn’t they talk to their companies’ workers’ compensation insurance adjuster.  The company has the injured workers best interest at heart, right?

First of all, companies don’t have “hearts,” and operate to make a profit.  Workers’ compensation insurance premiums are expensive, and represent a sizable chunk of a company’s overhead, depending on the nature of the business.  Some companies make it a priority to deny as many workers’ compensation claims as they can to save money, and sacrifice their workers in favor of maintaining the bottom line.  Workers’ compensation adjusters will often ask for a recorded statement over the phone under the guise of finding out what happened.  But, what is, and what is not, an accepted workers’ compensation case, can turn on the subtlest of accident descriptions.  The workers’ compensation adjuster knows what is, and what isn’t, an accepted, compensable workers’ compensation case.  An injured worker does not have that same knowledge.  So, do not do a recorded statement without an attorney representing you, and being present on the phone with you.  Failing to do so may result in your case being denied by the workers’ compensation insurance company.           

Workers’ compensation cases being accepted, or denied are sometimes in the finest details!  You need someone to look out for you, so call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

Workers’ Compensation and Choosing Your Doctor

Utilization/Peer Reviews and Your Workers’ Compensation Case

If you are injured on the job, and your claim is accepted by your self-insured company, or your company’s workers’ compensation carrier, your employer is responsible for paying your medicals bills, time out of work, and possibly compensation for a permanent injury.  Your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance carrier gets to dictate what doctors you see in exchange for paying the bill.  But, sometimes, the workers’ compensation carrier seeks an opinion that second guesses the doctor they picked to send you to in the first place!

Called utilization, or peer review, if your authorized treating doctor recommends performing a surgery, or other treatment that the workers’ compensation insurance company doesn’t want to pay for, your records get sent to yet another doctor.  Peer review doctors have never seen you, have contracts with the insurance company that pays them by the review, and often are retired, or do not have an active practice anymore, surgical or otherwise.  Naturally, if someone is paying you to do something, you are going to make sure that they get what they want.  It is no different with peer, or utilization reviews.  Generally, the workers’ compensation insurance companies get what they pay for, and that is where you need an attorney that will fight for your rights, and in particular for the treatment the doctor says you need!         

Workers’ compensation claims can be quite frustrating without someone on your side!  You need someone to look out for you, so call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

I Was Injured In An Accident Do I Need Mediation Or Court Hearing?

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative dispute resolution is a fancy way to say – let’s just sit down and see if we can work it out.  In many types of different cases including automobile accidents and workers’ compensation cases, the opposing parties are often sitting down and participating in a mediated settlement conference, or mediation for short.  A mediator “runs” the mediation and is not a judge, jury, or otherwise interested party.  Typically, a mediator will come into the case without knowing the facts of the case on purpose, and is a true neutral party that does not decide the case, but is paid by the parties to try and find an amount that both parties can live with to resolve the case.  Mediators in the automobile accident and workers’ compensation venues are usually attorneys, and often retired judges, or deputy commissioners.  Mediation is an incredibly successful and cost effective way to try to resolve a disputed case before it goes on to the next step, which is typically a hearing, or trial.  Mediation gives the parties control over resolving the case, and keeps it out of the hands of a jury, or hearing commissioner.  Some folks are afraid to file a claim because they are terrified about going to court and testifying.  Mediation is an avenue to avoid court, and still get compensated for your claim. 

So, if you have an automobile accident case, or workers’ compensation claim that is denied, or contested, don’t be afraid to try and get someone to help you.  Tippens & Zurosky represents people injured on the job and in automobile accidents in North Carolina and South Carolina.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

What Happens If You Are Injured By a Third-party At Work?

Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims

If you are injured on the job, and your claim is accepted by your self-insured company, or your company’s workers’ compensation carrier, your employer is responsible for paying your medicals bills, time out of work, and possibly compensation for a permanent injury.  Of course, they are not doing all of these things because of your years of long service, or out of the goodness of their corporate heart.  The law requires them to take care of injured employees as described above.  But, what happens if you are injured by a third-party, while you are working for your employer?

A common example of this is an automobile accident on the job where the negligent vehicle that hits and injures someone is operated by an independent third-party.  The simple answer to this is that the injured worker has not one, but two claims!  In this situation, the injured worker’s workers’ compensation insurance must pay medical bills, time out of work, and compensation for a permanent injury.  And, the injured worker then has a liability claim against the liability carrier for the motor vehicle that caused the injury.  The workers’ compensation insurance company also has a right to try and get paid back for what they paid out on the injured worker’s behalf from the liability insurance company.         

These cases can be quite complicated with many different parties all looking out for their own interests!  You need someone to look out for you, so call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

If I've Been In a Car Accident In North Carolina Should I See a Doctor?

Hurt in a Car Accident – See a Doctor!

If you are in an automobile accident in North Carolina, or South Carolina, it is important that you seek the medical care you need as soon as possible.  We have seen folks with serious injuries decline going to the hospital in an ambulance after the automobile accident out of concern for other family members, or what will happen with their automobile.  A late night trip to the emergency room can be the end result of this decision.  So again, seek medical treatment as soon as you can, or you may come to regret your choice!

Just as important as getting checked out for your injuries by a medical professional after an automobile accident, is making sure to seek follow up care if needed.  If the hospital recommends that you see your family practitioner, or another medical specialist, it is imperative that you do so.  We have seen circumstances where people were literally walking around with undiagnosed broken bones, and other serious injuries.  The longer you delay seeking medical care just doesn’t have implications on your health.  Insurance companies use large gaps in treatment against you when evaluating your claim, under the guise that if you truly needed the treatment you would have gotten it.  This tactic basically punishes those who cannot afford medical care, can’t miss time from work, or simply are trying to tough through what turns out to be a serious injury.

   

So, if you are in an automobile accident in North Carolina, or South Carolina, call Tippens & Zurosky.  We have knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult automobile accident process.  Call us toll-free at 877-372-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

If I'm Fired In North Carolina Can I File Workers Compensation?

They Fired Me!  Can I Still File Workers’ Compensation?

One of the most common misconceptions is that if your employer fires you from your job this either stops workers’ compensation if it has been started, or prevents you from getting any workers’ compensation benefits at all.  Even if you are terminated, your employer may still be responsible for paying your medicals bills, time out of work, and compensation for a permanent injury.  Even though misconception is NOT true, we hear from clients all too often who have told us that their employer fired them, and then told them they cannot file workers’ compensation!  If you are hurt on the job, make sure you get a written accident report if at all possible!  If your employer fires you on the spot, and refuses to assist in getting you medical care, seek the medical care you need, and make sure to tell the medical provider that you got hurt at work! 

   

So, if you have been hurt on the job and then terminated, seek the medical care you need, and then pick up the phone and call Tippens & Zurosky, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and file your claim!  Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys certified in North Carolina and South Carolina, who can fight for your rights during this often long and difficult workers' compensation process.  Call us toll-free at 877-872-3580, or at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!