The number of undocumented immigrants working in the United States has been a hot-button issue in recent years. In North Carolina and South Carolina, businesses have relied on undocumented workers to fulfill their employee needs in the areas of agriculture, construction, shipping and receiving, and manufacturing. But what happens when an undocumented worker gets injured on the job? Undocumented workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in North Carolina and South Carolina. But, these workers often feel caught between a rock and hard place in pursuing a workers’ compensation claim.
The threat of deportation may cause an undocumented worker to not report an injury, and risk the job that is providing for their family. But, if the injured undocumented worker does not report the injury, their company, or the workers’ compensation insurance company, will not pay for medical bills, or provide benefits to allow the injured undocumented worker to support his or her family, while they are unable to work due to the workplace injury. Companies save money by hiring undocumented workers in terms of cutting safety costs because they know that undocumented workers are far less likely to report and file for workers’ compensation. The fact remains -- immigration status has no effect on an injured workers’ ability to file and collect workers’ compensation.
Workers’ compensation benefits are for all the workers in North Carolina and South Carolina. If you are an undocumented worker, and get hurt on the job you have rights! Don’t let an unscrupulous company intimidate you into not filing a claim. Companies do what is best for companies, and if you get hurt on the job, you need to do what is best for 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!
