The Short Answer
North Carolina Industrial Commission Form MSC8 is a mediated or compromised settlement agreement used to finalize the terms of a workers' compensation case. It outlines key details like whether the employer admits liability, the total dollar amount paid to the injured worker, and who is responsible for future medical expenses. Once signed by all parties — including the injured worker, attorneys, and mediator — the agreement is binding. You should read every word of Form MSC8 carefully before signing, because it represents the final, enforceable terms of your settlement.
North Carolina Industrial Commission Form MSC8 is a mediated or compromised settlement agreement. This mediated settlement agreement sets forth the terms of the settlement agreement in a workers’ compensation case in North Carolina. The agreement stipulates certain agreed upon facts of the case which may include, but is not limited to, the following topics:
1) Whether the Defendants admit or deny compensability of Plaintiff’s claim.
2) Employment status of the worker. For example, has the worker returned to work, or is the worker still out of work due to the injuries?
3) Compromise settlement agreement states the total sum in dollars paid to the worker for the injuries. In other words, the dollar amount settled in this case.
4) The fourth section talks about the injured worker’s ability to receive disability benefits until this settlement agreement is approved by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
5) This section deals with medical payments. Is the injured worker aware if there is a settlement agreement, he or she may be responsible for all future medical expenses pertaining to this case? When signing a compromised settlement agreement the Plaintiff acknowledges they will no longer have their medical expenses covered by the Defendants.
6) The sixth section discusses potential liens. It explains the Plaintiff has not put the Defendants on notice of any liens against the settlement proceeds and explains the Defendants will not be responsible for any liens.
7) This section deals with other interest. Basically the parties agree that this is a fair settlement.
8) The eighth section pertains to third-party claims. For example, health insurance claims.
9) This section deals with the mediator’s fees. Most of the mediator fees are paid by the Defendants if a settlement is reached at mediation.
10) This section pertains to the fact that only written promises in this agreement will be relied upon by the Plaintiff, or injured worker. No oral or verbal promises will be relied upon by the Plaintiff. In other words, unless it is in writing, no promises have been made.
11) The final section explains that all parties are bound by the language in the settlement agreement.
Eventually, the Plaintiff / Worker’s attorneys, the Plaintiff / Worker, the Defendants’ attorneys, and the mediator signs this agreement binding all parties to the terms of the agreement. It is important that you carefully go over Form MSC8 or Mediated Settlement Agreement because it contains the final language of your settlement agreement with the Defendants.
Key Takeaways
- Form MSC8 documents the full terms of a workers' compensation settlement in North Carolina, including the total settlement amount and the parties' agreed-upon facts.
- If you sign a compromised settlement agreement, you will likely be responsible for all future medical expenses related to your injury — the defendants are no longer obligated to cover them.
- The agreement addresses whether the employer admits or denies compensability, meaning whether they acknowledge the injury is work-related.
- Any liens against your settlement proceeds are your responsibility to disclose and resolve — the defendants will not be held liable for undisclosed liens.
- Only promises written into Form MSC8 are enforceable; verbal or oral promises made during negotiations cannot be relied upon after signing.
- The settlement does not become final until the North Carolina Industrial Commission formally approves the agreement.
