If I Get Injured at Work, Do I Get Paid in North Carolina?

You’re hurt. You’re out of work. And bills don’t stop just because you were injured on the job.

It’s a question we hear every day: “If I get injured at work, do I get paid?”

In North Carolina, the answer is yes—but it depends on the type of injury, how it happened, and how quickly you take action.

At Johnson & Groninger PLLC, we help workers across North Carolina understand their rights after a job-related injury. Whether you work construction, drive a truck for a living, or you work as a first responder, you deserve to know what support is available—and how to get the benefits you’re owed.

Let’s break it down.

What is Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?

If you’re injured on the job in North Carolina, you’re likely covered by the state’s workers’ compensation system. That means you may be entitled to:

• Medical treatment
• Wage replacement
• Compensation for permanent injury
• Reimbursement for mileage and prescriptions

Most employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance. And in most cases, workers’ compensation is your primary source of financial support if you’re hurt doing your job and unable to work.

But here’s the catch: you don’t automatically get paid just for being injured. You have to meet certain legal requirements, report your injury correctly, and follow the rules of the system. That’s where many people get tripped up.

When Does Workers’ Compensation Start Paying?

In North Carolina, workers’ comp wage replacement—called Temporary Total Disability (TTD)—doesn’t begin the minute you’re hurt. There is a short waiting period.

Here’s how it works:

• You must be out of work for at least seven days due to your injury to qualify for lost wage payments.
• If you’re out more than 21 days, you’ll be paid retroactively for those first seven days.
• If you return to work within 21 days, you don’t get paid for that first week unless you use vacation or sick leave.

This delay surprises many injured workers. But once wage benefits begin, you’re entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum set by state law.

And no—workers’ comp benefits are not taxed.

What If My Injury Was My Fault?

One of the most important things to understand about North Carolina workers’ comp: fault doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter if:

• You tripped and fell
• You pulled a muscle lifting something heavy
• You made a mistake that led to your injury

As long as your injury arose out of and in the course of employment, you’re likely covered. There are exceptions—like if you were intoxicated, intentionally hurt yourself, or violated company policy—but for most workers, fault won’t prevent your claim.

Common Types of Work Injuries That Are Covered

Wondering if your specific injury qualifies? These are some of the most common examples of compensable injuries in North Carolina:

• Back injuries from lifting or twisting
• Falls from ladders or scaffolding
• Repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel, tendonitis)
• Burns, cuts, or crush injuries from machinery
• Knee or shoulder injuries from overuse or trauma
• Motor vehicle accidents while driving for work
• Workplace assaults or violence (under certain conditions)

Injuries that happen suddenly—like a fall or crash—are often easier to prove. Injuries that develop over time, such as repetitive motion injuries, may require more medical documentation but are still valid claims.

How to Protect Your Right to Get Paid

Here’s what you need to do immediately after getting hurt at work in North Carolina:

1. Report the Injury to Your Employer

North Carolina law requires you to report the injury to your employer in writing within 30 days, but the sooner, the better. Even if it seems minor, report it.

2. Get Medical Treatment

Ask your employer where to go. If they have a designated provider, go there first. If it’s an emergency, go to the ER—then follow up with the company’s chosen doctor.

3. File Form 18

This is the official form that starts your claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Don’t skip it.

4. Keep Records

Document everything—dates, pain levels, time missed, and medical visits. Keep copies of any paperwork from doctors or your employer.

5. Talk to a Lawyer

If your claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, don’t wait. A workers’ comp attorney can step in and fight for the full benefits you deserve.

What If I Can’t Go Back to Work?

If your doctor says you can’t return to your job—or only to light duty—you may qualify for additional compensation:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If you can’t work at all.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If you can work but not at full capacity or full wages.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: Help retraining or finding new work if you can’t return to your old job.

Workers’ compensation is designed to support you while you recover—not just get you back to work at any cost.

What If My Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Comp?

If your employer has three or more employees, they’re legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If they don’t, they may be breaking the law—and you still have options.

In these cases, you may be able to:

• File a claim through the Uninsured Employers’ Fund
• Sue your employer in civil court
• Pursue other types of injury claims depending on the situation

Let us help you figure out your next move if your employer failed to follow the law.

What If Someone Else Caused My Injury?

This happens more often than you’d think. Maybe a delivery driver hit you while you were working, or a subcontractor made a mistake on the job site. In those cases, you may have both:

• A workers’ comp claim through your employer, and
• A third-party claim against the at-fault person or company

Why does that matter? Third-party claims can include compensation for pain and suffering and full lost wages—something workers’ comp does not cover. We help workers explore both paths when it makes sense.

Get the Answers You Deserve

When you’re hurt on the job, everything feels uncertain. You may be wondering how long you’ll be out, how the bills will get paid, and whether anyone is looking out for you.

We are.

At Johnson & Groninger PLLC, we’ve helped injured workers across North Carolina fight for the compensation they deserve—from denied wage claims to long-term disability benefits. If you’re asking, “If I get injured at work, do I get paid?”—the next step is making sure you do.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation, explain your rights in plain English, and help you take action if your benefits are delayed or denied.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique and should be reviewed by an experienced attorney.