What is the Definition of an Injury for Workers’ Compensation Purposes in North Carolina?

Our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A. know two types of injuries are covered under North Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Law: Injury by Accident and Occupational Disease.   

According to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97 2(6), an “Injury and personal injury” is defined for North Carolina workers’ compensation purposes as “only injury by accident arising out of and during the employment and shall not include a disease in any form, except where it results naturally and unavoidably from the accident.” Here, we describe some of the most common workplace injuries and how our attorneys can help injured workers pursue legal rights and options to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

What are the Most Common Workplace Injuries in North Carolina?

The most common workplace injuries in North Carolina often stem from accidents related to various job environments, including construction sites, factories, offices, and other industries.

Here are the most frequently reported workplace injuries:

• Sprains and Strains: Muscle strains, ligament sprains, and tendon injuries, particularly in the back, shoulders, and knees.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Broken arms, legs, wrists, or ribs from falling or being struck by equipment or debris.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Deep cuts or lacerations on hands, fingers, and other body parts can sometimes lead to severe blood loss or infections.
• Back Injuries: Herniated discs, pulled muscles, or chronic lower back pain.
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and bursitis, especially in the hands, wrists, shoulders, and elbows.
• Head Injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fractures.
• Burns: Chemical burns, thermal burns, and electrical burns affecting the skin, muscles, and nerves.
• Hearing Loss: Permanent or temporary hearing damage, tinnitus, or deafness.
• Eye Injuries: Corneal abrasions, chemical burns, or vision impairment.
• Crush Injuries: Severe tissue damage, broken bones, or amputations.
• Slip and Fall Injuries: Fractures, sprains, and head trauma from sudden falls.
• Exposure to Hazardous Materials: Respiratory conditions, chemical burns, or skin irritations.
• Crush or Amputation Injuries: Amputations or severe crushing of body parts such as fingers, hands, or limbs.

In North Carolina, workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance if they occur due to an accident that arises out of and during employment. This means the injury must be caused by an unexpected or unusual event during work-related activities. Back and spine injuries are the exception to the injury by accident requirement and only requires a specific traumatic event to be compensable.

Workers’ compensation provides medical benefits, wage replacement, and other necessary support without requiring the injured worker to prove fault as long as the injury occurred while performing job-related tasks. If you are facing challenges collecting workers’ compensation benefits after suffering a workplace injury, we can help.

Contact Our Skilled Charlotte Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Our dedicated Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation law firm provides free consultations to all employees who have suffered a workplace injury in North Carolina by calling 704-376-1616 or contacting us online.

A Voice For The Injured.  Here Every Step of The Way.