How Does Quitting My Job Affect My North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

At the Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., North Carolina employees often ask our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys if they can quit their jobs during a workers’ compensation claim and still receive benefits. Unfortunately, the answer is more complicated than yes or no.

Although North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits are initially linked to your employment, they are not entirely dependent on your job with the same employer. Your benefits are primarily determined by the nature of your injury and your ability to work, though changes in employment can influence certain aspects of your claim.

Here’s why: Quitting your job can lead to disputes with your employer and their insurance company, who might argue that your resignation is unrelated to your injury or that you could have continued working in some capacity.

Consulting with our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys can help you navigate these complexities and ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

How Do My North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits Change If I Quit My Job?

Quitting your job can significantly impact your North Carolina workers’ compensation benefits because it introduces complexities in assessing and continuing these benefits.

Here are some key considerations to understand how resignation may affect your claim:

• Medical Benefits

Your entitlement to medical treatment for your work-related injury should continue even if you quit your job. Workers’ compensation covers necessary medical expenses regardless of your employment status, as long as the treatment is related to the work injury.

• Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD)

If you are receiving TTD benefits due to your inability to work while recovering, quitting your job generally should not affect these payments, as they are based on your medical condition and inability to work, not your employment status.

However, if you quit for reasons unrelated to your injury, it might be argued that you voluntarily removed yourself from the workforce, potentially jeopardizing these benefits.

• Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD)

TPD benefits are provided when you can return to work with reduced hours or a lower-paying job due to injury. Quitting your job can complicate these benefits since your current earnings are considered when calculating the compensation.

Voluntarily leaving your job may lead to questions about your motivation and affect the benefits.

• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD)

PPD benefits are based on the lasting impact of your injury and your level of impairment. Quitting your job should not directly affect these benefits, as they are determined by the extent of your injury rather than your employment status.

However, any changes in your work situation might prompt a review of your case.

• Vocational Rehabilitation

If you are receiving vocational rehabilitation services to help you return to work, quitting your job could affect your eligibility for these services. Vocational rehab aims to assist you in finding suitable employment, so voluntarily leaving your job may be seen as non-cooperation.

• Settlement Negotiations

If you are negotiating a settlement for your workers’ compensation claim, quitting your job might complicate these negotiations. Employers and insurers might question your motivations and argue that your decision impacts your need for compensation.

Before making any decisions, it’s crucial to consult with our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys, who can provide guidance based on your specific circumstances and help you navigate the potential impacts on your benefits.

Have You Been Injured at Work in North Carolina?

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.