North Carolina workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate resource

Who is covered?

Policies include protection for full and part-time workers.

North Carolina workers’ comp exemptions include:

• “Casual” employees, who do not participate in regular business or trade. Casual employees don’t work regular hours and can leave the job without notice.
• Domestic or “household” employees.
• Farm workers when the farm employs fewer than ten full-time employees.
• Federal government employees.
• Railroad employees.
• Certain sawmill and logging employers. 
• Corporate officers who are excluded from coverage. However, they’re still counted as an employee when determining if a business has three or more workers that are required for workers’ comp coverage.

Covered injuries and illnesses

Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases developed over time due to job conditions. 

Benefits provided

Workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:

• Medical benefits
• Lost wages 
• Death benefits

North Carolina workers’ comp benefits include:

• Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses 
• Temporary disability benefits 
• Permanent disability benefits
• Death benefits

North Carolina workers’ compensation rates

An employee’s workers’ compensation lost wage benefit is 66% of their average weekly wage. 

As of 2023, the maximum North Carolina workers’ comp weekly benefit is $1,254.

Filing a workers' compensation claim

In the event of a work-related injury or illness: 

Step 1: Employee reports injury to employer and North Carolina Industrial Commission

Injured workers must immediately file a Form 18 Notice of Accident with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and send a copy to the employer.  

Step 2: Seek medical care

The employee should immediately seek medical attention.

Step 3: Receive benefits

If an employer’s insurance provider accepts the claim, the worker may begin receiving benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages. 

Step 4: Return to work/permanent disability benefits

Following their recovery, the worker is to resume work safely. If a work injury left an injured employee unable to do any type of work, the employee might be entitled to permanent disability benefits.

Choosing a healthcare provider 

In North Carolina, injured workers are to seek treatment from employer-selected doctors. 

There are exceptions, though. In emergencies, an employee can go to the nearest emergency room. And when an injured worker’s care is inadequate, employees can contest their employer’s selection.

Compensation for missed work

Wage loss benefits for the first seven missed days of work due to an injury are only provided if the employee’s disability continues for more than 21 days. 

No compensation is due for the first seven (7) days of lost time unless the disability exceeds 21 days. Therefore, the first check will not include payment for days 1-7. Payment for those days will be made should the disability continue beyond 21 days.

Resolving disputes

Injured workers who disagree with their claim outcome can request North Carolina’s Industrial Commission Mediation Section to hold an appeal hearing on a disputed claim.