North Carolina and South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney
After an accident happens at work injures an employee, that employee’s first thought is to get medical attention, especially if the injury is severe. Even if the employee suffers a medical condition at work, seeking medical attention is always the most important step to healing. Unfortunately, some injuries and medical conditions are so devastating that the employee cannot return to work or at least cannot do the type of work that was done before the injury occurred.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum is an experienced workers’ compensation attorney with years in helping injured workers and their families get through the difficult workers’ compensation process. His knowledge and expertise can help ensure that you receive the maximum benefits that you are allowed under workers’ compensation laws.
Loss of Trade—Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Loss of trade refers to an injury that is severe enough that an injured worker can no longer work in his or her career, but it is not so severe that the injured worker cannot work in another job or industry. In this case, if the new work results in a permanent reduction of the injured worker’s earning capacity, the injured worker may be entitled to “loss of trade” compensation. Generally, this type of compensation is available due to a permanent wage loss. The amount of loss of trade compensation is determined by the difference between the employee’s average weekly wages before the injury occurred and the amount that the employee is actually able to earn after the accident. The injured employee is entitled to two-thirds of the difference in earnings for life.
If, on the other hand, the injury is so severe that the injured employee can no longer work in his or her previous position or do any other type of work because of the medical impairment, then the injured worker may be entitled to receive permanent total disability.
To qualify for permanent total disability, the injured worker must have a permanent medical condition that causes him or her to be medically incapable of returning to any type of work. The permanent medical condition must have been caused by a job-related disease or injury.
Each worker’s compensation claim is different. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one has been injured on the job. Moreover, you must notify your employer when you have been injured at work to ensure the completion of the prerequisites for your eligibility for benefits. The longer that an injured worker waits to notify his or her employer about the accident and the injury, the more difficult the benefit process becomes.
Consult an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Workers’ compensation laws protect employees who have been injured during their employment. These same laws are in place to protect employers from the outgoing threat of litigation due to workplace accidents.
The Tatum Law Firm understands the workers’ compensation process and protects the rights of injured employees. The workers’ compensation insurance company will definitely have an attorney on its side fighting for their rights, so it is important that you are equally well-equipped.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has many years of experience in helping injured workers receive their benefits. He has the knowledge and experience to ensure that, if you are unable to continue in your work due to a workplace injury, you will receive compensation for your loss.
If you or a loved one has suffered a workplace injury and would like a free case evaluation regarding your workers’ compensation claim, please contact the Tatum Law Firm at (704) 307-4350 or online.