Knowledge is power.  The only way a injured worker can be protected is with knowledge — knowledge of the law, knowledge of North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system and a lawyer who knows how the system works.

Benefits available to injured workers in North Carolina fall under three main categories:

1. Wage replacement. North Carolina workers’ compensation law provides that an injured worker who is unable to do any work is entitled to be paid two-thirds of his average weekly wage.  These benefits will be paid to the injured worker until he is able to return to work.  These workers’ compensation benefits are tax-free.
2. Payment of all related medical expenses. North Carolina workers’ compensation law requires the employer to pay all medical expenses related to the worker’s accident or occupational disease.  The employer is required to pay 100% of the approved medical bills.  The medical providers cannot charge the injured worker directly for these medical services.
3. Compensation for permanent impairment. North Carolina workers’ compensation law requires the employer to pay the injured worker for any permanent impairment of a body part.  The amount of benefits to be paid for an impaired body part depends upon the part of the body that is impaired and the degree and extent of impairment.

Among the issues with which a lawyer will assist you with are the following:

• Whether you have sufficient grounds to be entitled to workers’ compesnation benefits;
• The amount of workers’ compensation benefits to which you are  entitled;
• How long you will be able to recover workers’ compensation benefits;
• What medical expenses must your employer pay;
• Whether you need an attorney to handle your workers’ compensation case;
• How to choose the right workers’ compensation lawyer;
• How to deal with workers’ compensation doctors;
• How to deal with workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation counselors;
• What you, the injured worker, can do to protect your claim;
• How to handle a job interview;
• Cautions about private detectives;
• Whether or not you should return to work;
• The kind of work you can do after you recuperate from your injuries.

If you were financially dependent upon a North Carolina worker killed in an on-the-job accident you may be entitled to death benefits from the employer’s insurance company.

North Carolina workers’ compensation law is very complex and confusing.  Temporary total disability benefits, temporary partial disability benefits, permanent partial disability benefits, permanent and total disability benefits, workers’ compensation settlements, and death benefits are all governed by special statutes specific to North Carolina and its injured workers.  We are here to help you!

If your license is revoked it is urgent that the underlying cause of the revocation be identified and the driver’s license be reinstated as soon as possible. The Law Office of Thom Goolsby will investigate the underlying reason for the license revocation and determine the actions necessary to resolve the issue in the best possible manner.

• Dropping out of school
• Failing to appear in court
• Accumulation of excessive DMV points
• Speeding over 15 mph over the speed limit and over 55 MPH
• Two convictions for speeding over 55 MPH within a 12 month period = automatic drivers license suspension)
• Exceeding 80 mph
• Two convictions for careless and reckless driving within a 12 month period
• Driving While Impaired

When you (or your attorney) go to court for your limited driving privilege, you must bring with you a Petition for Limited Driving Privilege (Form AOC-CVR-9), a copy of your Substance Abuse Assessment performed by a court approved program, a Certified copy of a seven-year Driving History (cost $7.00), a valid DL-123 insurance form from your insurance agent (good for only 30 days; the court will accept a faxed copy) and three copies of a fully completed, typed, proposed Limited Driving Privilege.

The following conditions must apply to you to be eligible for a limited driving privilege:

(1) at the time of the offense, you held either a valid driver’s license or a license that has been expired for less than one year;

(2) you do not have an unresolved pending charge involving impaired driving except the charge for which your license is revoked or additional convictions of an offense involving impaired driving since being charged with this violation;

(3) the license has been revoked for at least 10 days if the revocation is for 30 days or 30 days if the revocation is for 45 days;

(4) you have obtained the necessary substance abuse assessment by a court approved registered facility. There are different criteria for a pre-trial limited driving privilege if the driver’s license was revoked indefinitely.

Below is an excerpt from the N.C. General Statute for DWI:

§ 20 138.1. Impaired driving.

(a) Offense. – A person commits the offense of impaired driving if he drives any vehicle upon any highway, any street, or any public vehicular area within this State:
(1) While under the influence of an impairing substance; or
(2) After having consumed sufficient alcohol that he has, at any relevant time after the driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
(b) Defense Precluded. – The fact that a person charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense to a charge under this section.
(c) Pleading. – In any prosecution for impaired driving, the pleading is sufficient if it states the time and place of the alleged offense in the usual form and charges that the defendant drove a vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area while subject to an impairing substance.
(d) Sentencing Hearing and Punishment. – Impaired driving as defined in this section is a misdemeanor. Upon conviction of a defendant of impaired driving, the presiding judge must hold a sentencing hearing and impose punishment in accordance with G.S. 20 179.
(e) Exception. – Notwithstanding the definition of “vehicle” pursuant to G.S. 20 4.01(49), for purposes of this section the word “vehicle” now includes a bicycle or lawnmower. (1983, c. 435, s. 24; 1989, c. 711, s. 2; 1993, c. 285, s. 1.)