Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Getting hurt on the job can turn your life upside down — not just physically, but financially. Between medical bills, lost income, and the stress of dealing with your employer’s insurance company, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at exactly the moment you need to focus on recovering. North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is supposed to make sure injured employees get the medical care and wage replacement they’re entitled to, but insurance companies routinely delay, dispute, or deny valid claims to protect their bottom line.

Tien Law Firm helps injured workers throughout Raleigh and Wake County get the benefits they’ve earned. Founded by Sonya Tien, an award-winning Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyer with more than a decade of experience, our firm knows how to navigate the North Carolina Industrial Commission process and push back when insurance companies try to shortchange injured employees.

Call (919) 800-2000 for a free consultation with a Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyer.

What Workers’ Compensation Covers in North Carolina

Under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees injured on the job — regardless of who was at fault. Workers’ compensation benefits can include:

• Medical treatment related to your workplace injury, including doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions
• Temporary total disability benefits, generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you’re unable to work
• Temporary partial disability benefits, if you can return to work but at reduced pay or hours
• Permanent partial disability benefits, for lasting impairment even after you’ve reached maximum medical improvement
• Permanent total disability benefits, for injuries that prevent you from ever returning to work
• Vocational rehabilitation, in some cases, to help injured workers return to suitable employment
• Death benefits, for the families of workers killed in a workplace accident

Common Workplace Accidents and Injuries We Handle

Our firm represents workers injured across a wide range of industries and occupations in the Raleigh area, including:

• Construction accidents, including falls, scaffolding collapses, and equipment injuries
• Warehouse and distribution center injuries, including forklift accidents and repetitive strain injuries
• Office and retail workplace injuries, including slip-and-falls
• Manufacturing and industrial accidents, including machinery-related injuries and amputations
• Healthcare worker injuries, including patient-handling injuries and needlestick exposures
• Delivery and transportation worker injuries, including vehicle accidents while on the job
• Repetitive stress and overuse injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Occupational illnesses, including exposure to harmful chemicals or substances

Common injury types include back and spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, burns, amputations, and injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Why Workers’ Compensation Claims Get Denied

Even legitimate injuries are frequently disputed or denied. Common reasons insurance companies deny or delay claims include:

• Claiming the injury didn’t happen at work or isn’t work-related
• Arguing the injury was a pre-existing condition
• Disputing the severity of the injury or the need for ongoing treatment
• Alleging the employee missed a reporting deadline
• Claiming the employee wasn’t performing job duties at the time of the injury
• Sending the employee to a company doctor who minimizes the injury

If your claim has been denied, or if you’re being pressured to return to work before you’re ready, it’s important to speak with an attorney about your rights and options — including the right to request a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

Deadlines and Requirements Under North Carolina Law

North Carolina workers’ compensation law includes strict deadlines that can jeopardize your claim if missed:

• Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days after the accident
• File a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (Form 18) within two years of the date of injury
• Attend required medical evaluations and follow treatment as directed by an authorized treating physician

Missing these deadlines can result in a valid claim being denied outright, which is why it’s important to act quickly and understand your obligations under the law.

Can I Sue My Employer Instead of Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?

In most cases, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy for a workplace injury, meaning you generally cannot sue your employer directly even if they were negligent. However, there are important exceptions, including:

• Third-party claims, if someone other than your employer — such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or another company’s employee — caused or contributed to your injury
• Intentional harm by an employer
• Employers who fail to carry required workers’ compensation insurance

An experienced attorney can evaluate whether a third-party claim exists alongside your workers’ compensation case, which can significantly increase the compensation available to you, since workers’ comp benefits alone don’t include pain and suffering.

Retaliation Protections for Injured Workers

North Carolina law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing a legitimate workers’ compensation claim. If you’ve been fired, demoted, or otherwise punished for reporting a workplace injury or pursuing benefits, you may have additional legal claims beyond your workers’ compensation case.

Why Choose Tien Law Firm

Founded by Sonya Tien, an award-winning Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyer with more than ten years of experience, Tien Law Firm is dedicated to making sure injured workers aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies looking to protect their bottom line. When you work with our firm, you get:

• Deep knowledge of the North Carolina Industrial Commission process, from initial filing through hearings and appeals
• Investigation into potential third-party claims that could increase your total recovery
• Direct communication with your attorney, not a rotating cast of case handlers
• No fees unless we win — we handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no upfront cost to you

Serving Raleigh and the Surrounding Triangle Area

We represent injured workers throughout Raleigh and the greater Triangle region, including Durham, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Apex, and the rest of Wake County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to prove my employer was at fault to get workers’ compensation? No. North Carolina workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you’re generally entitled to benefits for a work-related injury regardless of who caused it, as long as you were acting within the scope of your employment.

What should I do if my workers’ compensation claim was denied? You have the right to request a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission to contest a denial. An attorney can help gather medical evidence and present your case at the hearing.

Can I choose my own doctor for a workers’ compensation injury? In most cases, your employer or their insurance carrier has the right to direct your medical treatment by selecting the authorized treating physician, though there are circumstances where you can request a change of physician.

What if I’m a contractor, not a full-time employee? Whether you’re covered by workers’ compensation can depend on how your work relationship is classified. Some workers labeled as “independent contractors” may actually be misclassified employees entitled to benefits, which is worth having an attorney evaluate.

How much does it cost to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer? Tien Law Firm handles workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. There’s no upfront cost, and we only collect a fee if we recover benefits or compensation for you.

Talk to a Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t let an insurance company decide what your claim is worth. Call Tien Law Firm at (919) 800-2000 for a free consultation. Sonya Tien and our team will evaluate your case, fight back against unfair denials, and work to secure the full benefits and compensation you may deserve.