The Short Answer
The North Carolina Industrial Commission is the state agency created in 1929 to administer and enforce the NC Workers' Compensation Act. If you're injured on the job in North Carolina, you file your claim with the Industrial Commission — not a traditional court. Deputy Commissioners hear cases at the initial level, and decisions can be appealed to the Full Commission, which includes a chair and six commissioners. The Industrial Commission acts as the judge and jury in all NC workers' compensation cases, handling over 63,000 claims each year.
The Industrial Commission of North Carolina was developed in 1929 to apply and enforce the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. The Industrial Commission handles over 63,000 cases each year.
The goal of the Industrial Commission is to efficiently handle the administration of workers compensation claims for injured workers across North Carolina. The idea behind the Industrial Commission and workers’ compensation laws in general is to get immediate treatment for an injured worker so they can return to work as quickly as possible.
Most people don’t realize that you cannot sue your employer if you are injured at work. Instead, you file a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and they ensure that you get the treatment you need. Before workers’ compensation laws, injured workers had to sue their employer. A lawsuit could take several years to be completed – leaving families without suitable income.
Instead of going to “court” to litigate your lawsuit, in a North Carolina workers’ compensation case you take your claim to the Industrial Commission. The initial claims are heard by Deputy Commissioners. Depending on the results, a case may be appealed to the Full Commission, which consists of a chair and six commissioners.
The Industrial Commission is the “judge and jury” in North Carolina workers’ compensation cases. In order to obtain your maximum workers’ compensation benefits it is important that you contact our North Carolina work injury lawyers at Duncan Law. We can help you navigate the process andensure that you can get the benefits necessary to provide for your family.
Key Takeaways
- The NC Industrial Commission was established in 1929 specifically to handle workers' compensation claims and exists so injured workers get faster relief than a traditional lawsuit allows.
- You cannot sue your employer directly for a workplace injury in North Carolina — your remedy is a claim filed with the Industrial Commission.
- Initial cases are heard by Deputy Commissioners, and if you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal to the Full Commission for review.
- The Commission's primary goal is to get injured workers the treatment they need so they can return to work as quickly as possible.
- Having an experienced NC workers' compensation attorney can help you navigate the Commission's process and pursue the maximum benefits you're entitled to.
