Author: David E. Vtipil

what is MMI in workers comp

North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system offers substantial benefits to help you recover after a work-related injury or illness. However, there are also complicated rules governing these benefits and how much compensation you can receive. One crucial concept to know is maximum medical improvement, or MMI, in workers’ comp claims. What Does Maximum Medical Improvement Mean?…

FCE and workers' compensation claims

When you receive workers’ compensation benefits in North Carolina, you may undergo a functional capacity evaluation during your claim. An FCE helps your care team assess your ability to return to employment and any permanent restrictions after a workplace accident. FCEs can affect workers’ comp claims by determining when and in what capacity you can…

medical bills are more than my car accident settlement

A severe car accident can lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills, which typically makes medical expenses a significant component of a car accident settlement. Unfortunately, not all car accident settlements include enough compensation to cover hefty medical bills. What can you do if your medical bills exceed the amount of a proposed car…

what to do after a truck accident in NC

Commercial truck accidents happen daily on Interstates 40 and 95 in the Triangle and other highways across North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, more than 6,000 crashes involving tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks are reported to police in the Tar Heel State every year. Being unfortunate enough to be involved in…

elder man driving

The ability to operate a motor vehicle is essential to maintaining independence and enjoying life for many elderly drivers. However, as people age, they may experience physical and cognitive changes that affect their ability to drive safely. So, what happens when elderly drivers cause an auto accident in North Carolina? Does the law treat them…

punitive damages in a car accident case

What are punitive damages in a car accident case? Punitive damages are a type of compensation that people may recover through personal injury lawsuits. They punish an at-fault party for egregiously wrongful acts and are meant to deter similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are rarely awarded in North Carolina car accident claims, but it…

traveling to work

In North Carolina, workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and partial lost income for employees who suffer injuries on the job. Under state law, all businesses with three or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees. Workers’ compensation covers injured workers who are injured while performing their job duties. However, questions…

fair car accident settlement

Clients in car accident cases often ask how much they should expect to recover from a personal injury claim. We cannot ever guarantee a specific amount, but we can promise to seek a fair settlement based on the facts of the injury case. What is a fair settlement for a car accident case? It is…

workers' comp doctor

If the employer accepts a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina, the law requires the employer to provide “medical, surgical, hospital, nursing, and rehabilitative services, including, but not limited to, attendant care services prescribed by a health care provider authorized by the employer or subsequently by the Commission, vocational rehabilitation, and medicines, sick travel, and…

suing workplace for negligence

An employee who sustains a work-related injury in North Carolina generally cannot sue his or her employer for causing a workplace accident. This is based on a statute, N.C.G.S. § 97-10.1. Typically, workers’ compensation benefits are the sole remedy to address workplace injuries. Nearly all businesses with three or more employees in North Carolina are…