Should I Settle My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

 Having an accepted workers’ compensation claim can be a long process.  Not only are you getting paid less than your average weekly wage, but you also may not have a say in selecting which doctor is working with you.  Some workers’ compensation cases go on for years through surgeries, rehabilitation, and vocational rehabilitation. Tippens & Zurosky is here to fight for you.

 

A workers’ compensation case can settle one of two ways.  You can settle on what is called an open agreement, referring to you not closing out your right to future medical care paid for by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, or your employer.  You can also settle on what is called a clincher, or compromise settlement agreement.  These full and final agreements will typically compensate you for a higher sum than an open agreement because you are waiving your right to future medical care, and sometimes weekly indemnity payments.

So, which way of settling your workers’ compensation case is best?  There is not an easy answer to this question as no workers’ compensation case is exactly the same.  If you had the type of injury where you returned to work with your employer relatively quickly, then an open agreement is usually done. The decision to clincher, or fully and finally settle your workers’ compensation case is often a complicated one.  You may not know what future medical treatment you are going to need. Many workers’ compensation insurance companies would rather offer a lump sum than stay on the hook for your medical care in the future. 

 If you have a workers’ compensation case, and you have reached the point in your case where it is time to resolve it one way, or the other, please pick up the phone and call Tippens & Zurosky. Trying to settle a workers’ compensation case on your own can be difficult, especially when the workers’ compensation insurance company is in business of settling claims, and you are not!  You need someone to look out for you, so call us, so we can be your voice, answer all of your questions, and help you resolve 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 at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation. Let us help you!

Can Managers and Supervisors File For Workers Compensation?

What happens when managers, or supervisors, get hurt on the job in North Carolina or South Carolina? 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 may fire their loyal employee. Tippens & Zurosky can help you win your workers’ compensation case.

 

Workers’ compensation cases can be confusing, especially when your company is not doing what is best for you.  Tippens & Zurosky, can be your voice, answer all your questions, and file your workers comp 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 at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation.  Let us help you!

 

 

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

 

Many companies have a yearly company trip where alcohol is flowing freely, and judgment can be compromised by a “party” atmosphere.  So, what happens if you get injured during the company trip?  Is your injury covered under workers’ compensation?  If you slip and break your collarbone because you slipped on the hotel’s 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 paid for by your employer.
• Whether you were paid wages while on the trip.
• Whether the outing was considered a fringe benefit of your job.
• Whether attendance was mandatory.
• Was the purpose of the outing was to benefit the employer.

 

So, if you have been hurt on the job during a company trip, 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 at 704-343-0018, for a free consultation. Let us help you!