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Personal Injury, Disability, and Workers’ Compensation
At Daggett Shuler, our experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys understand the unique challenges nurses, CNAs, and other healthcare professionals face after a work-related injury.
Nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are the backbone of hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies across North Carolina. Every shift, you put your own well-being on the line to care for patients and residents: lifting and repositioning individuals, assisting with mobility, responding to medical emergencies, administering care under pressure, and working long, physically demanding hours. Many nurses and CNAs also face emotionally taxing situations, staffing shortages, and fast-paced environments where injuries can happen in an instant.
Because of the nature of this work, nurses and CNAs are at a higher risk of workplace injuries than many other professions. Common injuries include back, neck, and shoulder injuries from lifting patients; repetitive stress injuries from constant bending, reaching, and charting; slip and fall injuries in busy or wet work areas; and injuries caused by workplace violence or combative patients. Exposure to infectious diseases and needlestick injuries can also lead to serious health concerns that impact your ability to work.
If you were injured on the job as a nurse or CNA, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under North Carolina law. These benefits can help cover medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages, and, in some cases, compensation for permanent injuries or long-term disability. Unfortunately, workers’ compensation claims are not always straightforward, and injured healthcare workers may face delays, denials, or pressure to return to work before they are ready.
We work to protect your rights, handle communication with your employer and the insurance company, and pursue the full benefits you deserve so you can focus on healing and getting back to the work you love when you’re ready.
If you are injured at work as a nurse or certified nursing assistant (CNA), North Carolina law provides important legal protections designed to safeguard your health, income, and job security. Understanding these rights can help you recognize when an employer or insurance company is not treating you fairly, and when legal help may be necessary.
Knowing your rights is the first step toward protecting your health and your livelihood after a workplace injury. When those rights are challenged or ignored, a knowledgeable North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure the law works as intended to support injured nurses and CNAs when they need it most.
Healthcare workers experience some of the highest workplace injury rates of any profession, and nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are among the most vulnerable. The physical demands of patient care, combined with long shifts, understaffing, and fast-paced, high-pressure environments, create constant risks for injury. Many nurses and CNAs are hurt not because they were careless, but because the job itself requires repeated physical exertion and quick responses in unpredictable situations. Common work-related injuries for healthcare workers, particularly nurses and CNAs, include:
Importantly, not all work-related injuries happen suddenly. Injuries that develop gradually, such as chronic back pain, joint degeneration, or carpal tunnel syndrome, may still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they are caused or worsened by your job duties. If your work as a nurse or CNA has led to ongoing pain or limited your ability to perform your job, you may have the right to seek benefits and medical care through North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system.
In most cases, yes. North Carolina law requires most employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This includes:
Both full-time and part-time nurses and CNAs are typically covered. However, issues can arise if an employer claims you are an independent contractor or disputes whether your injury is work-related. When coverage is questioned or benefits are denied, having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side is critical.
Workers’ compensation is designed to provide financial stability and access to medical care after a job-related injury. For healthcare workers like nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), these benefits can be critical, especially when an injury affects your ability to perform physically demanding duties or return to patient care. Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you may be entitled to several types of workers’ compensation benefits under North Carolina law.
Injured nurses and CNAs are entitled to coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to their work injury. These benefits are meant to support your recovery and help you return to work safely. Medical benefits may include:
Doctor visits, specialist care, and hospital treatment
Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
Surgery and follow-up care
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other rehabilitation services
Prescription medications and necessary medical equipment, such as braces or mobility aids
Mileage reimbursement for travel to and from authorized medical appointments
There is no deductible for workers’ compensation medical benefits, and you should not have to pay out of pocket for approved treatment related to your injury.
If your injury prevents you from working or limits your ability to earn your usual wages, workers’ compensation may provide wage replacement benefits to help cover lost income. These benefits typically include:
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits if your injury prevents you from working at all while you recover
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits if you are able to return to work with restrictions, but earn less than your pre-injury wages
Wage replacement benefits generally equal a percentage of your average weekly wage, subject to state limits. While they may not replace your full paycheck, they are intended to provide financial support while you heal.
If a work-related injury results in permanent impairment, such as lasting back, shoulder, or joint damage, you may be eligible for permanent disability benefits. These benefits are based on the severity of your injury, the affected body part, and how the impairment impacts your ability to work. In some cases, permanent injuries can significantly affect a nurse’s or CNA’s long-term earning capacity and career options.
When an injury prevents you from returning to your previous nursing or CNA role, workers’ compensation may provide vocational rehabilitation services. These services can include job retraining, education, resume assistance, or help finding alternative employment that accommodates your physical limitations. The goal is to help you transition into a new role while maintaining financial stability.
Understanding which benefits apply to your situation and making sure you receive the full amount you are entitled to can be challenging. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help injured nurses and CNAs navigate the process and advocate for the benefits they deserve.
Although workers’ compensation is designed to be a no-fault system, many nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) quickly discover that obtaining benefits is not always simple.
Healthcare workers often face added scrutiny from employers and insurance companies, and valid claims may be delayed, disputed, or undervalued. Understanding these common challenges can help you recognize when your rights may be at risk.
Some of the most frequent issues nurses and CNAs encounter in workers’ compensation claims include:
Claims that the injury was pre-existing. Insurance companies may argue that your back pain, shoulder injury, or joint problems existed before your workplace injury, even if your job duties clearly worsened the condition or caused new damage.
Disputes over repetitive stress injuries. Injuries that develop over time, like chronic back pain, knee problems, or carpal tunnel syndrome, are often challenged, with insurers claiming they are not work-related or cannot be tied to a specific incident.
Pressure to return to work too soon. Nurses and CNAs may feel pushed to resume duties before they are medically ready, increasing the risk of re-injury or long-term damage.
Light-duty assignments that exceed medical restrictions. Even when employers offer “light duty,” the tasks assigned may still involve lifting, standing, or physical activity that violates your doctor’s restrictions and jeopardizes your recovery.
Retaliation or fear of job loss. Some healthcare workers worry about reduced hours, unfavorable schedules, or termination after filing a workers’ compensation claim, which can discourage them from asserting their rights.
Daggett Shuler understands the unique challenges nurses and CNAs face in the workers’ compensation system. Our team knows how insurance companies operate and how to push back when they try to minimize, delay, or deny legitimate claims. We work to protect your rights, address unfair tactics, and pursue the full benefits you are entitled to under North Carolina law.
If you are injured on the job as a nurse or certified nursing assistant (CNA), the steps you take immediately afterward can have a major impact on your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Even a seemingly minor injury can worsen over time, so it’s important to act quickly and carefully to protect your health and your claim. Key steps to take after a workplace injury include:
Notify your supervisor, charge nurse, or employer that you’ve been hurt. In North Carolina, timely reporting is critical. Be clear about how and when the injury occurred, even if symptoms are mild at first or develop gradually.
This treatment would be from an authorized provider as directed by your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Getting prompt medical care not only protects your health but also creates an official record linking your injury to your job.
This includes attending appointments, participating in physical therapy, and honoring any work restrictions or light-duty limitations. Failing to follow medical advice can be used to deny or reduce your benefits.
Keep notes on your symptoms, pain levels, missed workdays, and how the injury affects your ability to do your job. Save copies of medical records and write down any conversations or emails with your employer or the insurance company.
If your claim is denied, delayed, or disputed, or if you feel pressured to return to work before you are medically ready, an attorney can help ensure deadlines are met, paperwork is handled correctly, and your rights are protected.
Waiting too long to report an injury, missing medical appointments, or making small procedural mistakes can jeopardize your workers’ compensation benefits. Taking the right steps early and getting legal guidance when needed can make a meaningful difference in your recovery and financial stability.
At Daggett Shuler, we have decades of experience representing injured workers throughout North Carolina, including nurses and certified nursing assistants. We understand how physically demanding and emotionally taxing healthcare work can be, and how a single injury can disrupt not only your health, but also your career, finances, and future. Our team, led by a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law, is committed to guiding you through the workers’ compensation process and advocating for your best interests at every stage. Our firm can help injured nurses and CNAs by:
You focus on healing and taking care of yourself. A workers’ compensation lawyer for nurses at Daggett Shuler will handle the legal process and fight to secure the support you need.
Navigating the workers’ compensation claims process can be intricate. At Daggett Shuler, our attorneys provide personalized attention to our clients at every stage of their claims. We will guide you through medical treatment and advocate for a possible lump-sum settlement, while ensuring that your rights are vigorously defended. If you face a denial of benefits or medical treatment, we stand prepared to challenge it and represent you at workers’ comp hearings and appeals. Our mission is to expedite the receipt of all your workers’ compensation benefits.
Do not to sign any documents pertaining to your Worker’s Compensation claim without consulting an attorney first. Refrain from signing any paperwork related to a settlement or permanent partial disability rating until you've sought guidance on your rights from a legal professional.
If you are a nurse or certified nursing assistant injured on the job, you should not have to face the workers’ compensation system on your own, especially while you are trying to heal. Between medical appointments, lost wages, and pressure from employers or insurance companies, the process can quickly become overwhelming. Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side can make a meaningful difference in both your recovery and your financial security.
Daggett Shuler is here to stand up for nurses, CNAs, and other injured workers across North Carolina. We take the time to listen to your story, explain your rights in clear terms, and develop a strategy focused on protecting your health, your income, and your future. Whether you are filing a new claim, appealing a denial, or dealing with delayed or reduced benefits, our team is prepared to fight for the full compensation you are entitled to under North Carolina law.
Contact Daggett Shuler today for a free consultation to discuss your workers’ compensation claim. There is no upfront cost to speak with us, and you are under no obligation to move forward. Let us handle the legal challenges so you can focus on healing and moving forward with confidence.
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Winston-Salem, NC 27104
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Greensboro, NC 27410
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