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!

Do I Need An Attorney To File Workers Compensation?

Attorneys Are Here to Help

We often get calls from people that have been injured on the job that are proceeding pro se, which means without an attorney representing them.  Workers’ compensation law is incredibly detailed and whether a case is denied, or accepted as compensable by an insurance company, or self-insured employer, often turns on the interpretation of these details.  Often, we see claims that should be accepted, denied by an insurance company because of their interpretation of the facts.  Without an attorney that specializes in workers’ compensation, an injured worker may just give up.  It doesn’t have to be that way!

Hiring a skilled attorney to fight for you is just like hiring any other professional to do any other specialized job.  You wouldn’t try to diagnose your own medical condition, or do surgery on a family member.  You also would not likely try to fly a commercial airliner, drive a tank, or pilot a cruise ship.  We all have different skill sets in the occupations we have chosen.  Make the right choice and retain a workers’ compensation attorney to help you!

Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights in North Carolina and South Carolina, 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!

Awareness On The Road & Job Can Save Your Live

Awareness – It Could Save Your Life

With the advent of winter weather, it is important to make sure you are aware of the vehicles, pedestrians, and especially the commercial vehicles that you are going to encounter as you travel the highways and byways of North Carolina and South Carolina.  Awareness is also important on job sites, warehouses, parking lots, and other workplace common areas.  Winter weather often brings in water, ice, and snow that make areas such as bathrooms, hallways, and parking lots hazardous to your footing.  Make sure you take extra caution in navigating areas at your workplace that now may have hidden dangers to them that you are not normally used to having to worry about.

It is not enough to just be aware on the road, and at the workplace as today’s world news headlines are filled with reports of violence occurring in malls, airports, and schools.  So wherever your travels may take you, get in the habit of being aware of who is around you, what exits are available to you, and have a family plan so you don’t become a news headline.  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!

Happy Holidays From Tippens & Zurosky

Avoid the Holiday Rush!

The holidays are some of the most joyous times of the year, filled with family time, fun activities, and for the kids – time off from school!  It is a time of year that many people look forward to every year as they prepare to host holiday gatherings, and attend work social events.  The holidays can also be one of the most stressful times of year as people rush to buy gifts, hurry to finish up work projects before vacations, or worry about hosting relatives and family members at their house.

Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the season, send you in a downward spiral into irritation, anger, or depression.  Be thankful for who and what you have in your life, instead of dwelling on what you feel is missing from your life.  If you think things are not going well, and you are dreading the upcoming holidays, rest assured that there are so many folks that are probably worst off than you.  So revel in the noise of the children, tell those in your life how you feel about them, and try to soak in the good moments like the warmth from the holiday fire!  

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. 

If I Fall On The Job In North Carolina Is It Covered By Workers Comp?

Falls on the Job – Are They Covered Under Workers’ Comp.?

In general, a fall on the job is considered a compensable workers’ compensation accident.  However, there are some important exceptions to this general rule.  If a fall occurs, because the worker’s leg gave way in an unexplained manner, that has been found not compensable.  Falls caused by epileptic seizures have also been found to be not compensable, because the seizure was not related to the employment.  Also, falls that occur when an employee is not on the employer’s premises, or that do not occur in the scope of their employment have been found to be not compensable.  These situations should be distinguished from a circumstance where a person reaching overhead in the course of their job duties loses their balance and falls.  This fall would be compensable, barring any other unrelated cause such as dizzy spells, seizures, or a heart attack.  

So, if you have been hurt on the job because of a work-related fall report it immediately, 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 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!

Can My Workers Comp or Personal Injury Case Be Investigated?

What Do You Mean I am Being Followed?

In today’s day and age, if you are in the middle of a personal injury or workers’ compensation case the prying eyes of the insurance companies and their attorneys may be on you.  Social media investigation is just one part of the equation.  So, if you have any type of litigation going on, or even a claim where everything is going smoothly, it is usually prudent to cease all activities on social media.  Even the most innocent post taken out of context can do damage to your case.

Also, it might seem like something out of a movie, or television program, but often insurance companies and their attorneys will hire a private investigator to follow you to try and get some video of you doing something that is inconsistent with your doctor’s restrictions, or portrays you in an unfavorable light.  So, be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially looking for cars and individuals that you know just don’t belong in your neighborhood.  Often a doctor will write down a set of physical restrictions, but verbally encourage you to push your physical limitations.  Obviously, do what your doctor is telling you, but make sure of you are testing, or pushing your limits per the doctor’s orders that you do so in a safe environment out of the view of any unfriendly eyes.

Tippens & Zurosky has knowledgeable, experienced attorneys who can fight for your rights if you have been injured on the job, or in an automobile accident 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!

Tips For a Safe Holiday Season in the Carolinas

Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

It is hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner!  In the next several weeks, we will be enjoying precious time with family, friends, and co-workers.  We will also be on the road in the dark more, hustling from school events, and holiday parties, and travelling to malls and outlets to do holiday shopping.  During this time of year, we might even get our first chilly blast of icy or snowy weather, turning the roads and highways into a frozen, scary adventure!  So, make sure that you give yourself enough time to travel safely, and watch out for drivers travelling too fast for the road and weather conditions.  Remember even four wheel drive isn’t very useful on a patch of sheer ice!  Also, if the weather is that bad -- ask yourself if you really do need to go out at that time – and just maybe that little bit of caution will keep you from causing, or getting into an accident.

If you are attending an office or family holiday party, always use a designated driver if you are going to be celebrating with a little too much holiday cheer.  Night time, slick roads and drinking and driving can be a potentially fatal combination.  If you are travelling at night, or on the weekends during the holiday season, please be cautious and remember that just because you are choosing to act safely and responsibly, others folks may not be acting in the same way, and are a hazard on the road due to their holiday intoxication.

If you get in an auto accident, or are injured on the job in North Carolina, or South Carolina during this holiday season or any time, 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.