North Carolina

What you need to know for North Carolina…

North Carolina workers’ compensation claims are administered through the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). If a workplace injury or illness occurs, both the employer and the injured worker have responsibilities to ensure the claim is reported and processed correctly.

For Employers

If an employee reports a workplace injury or illness, North Carolina law requires employers to take prompt action.

1. Ensure the employee receives medical care.

If the injury requires immediate attention, direct the employee to appropriate medical treatment.

2. File the Employer’s Report of Injury.
Employers must file a Form 19 (Employer’s Report of Employee’s Injury or Occupational Disease to the Industrial Commission) within five days of learning about an injury that causes more than one day of lost work or results in medical expenses exceeding $4,000. A blank Form 18 must also be provided to the injured employee.

3. Report the injury.
Employers must promptly report the injury to the Care West Claims team using the online claims reporting form. Click on the Submit A Claim button in the left menu to initiate the claim.

For Workers

If you are injured at work or develop a work-related illness, you should take the following steps.

1. Report the injury to your employer.
Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Providing written notice within 30 days of the accident is recommended.

2. Contact Nurse Triage.
If medical care is needed, contact nurse triage promptly at (844)-326-2918 and inform the provider that the injury occurred at work.

3. File a Notice of Accident and Claim.
Workers must file a Form 18 (Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee) with the North Carolina Industrial Commission to formally establish a legal claim. A copy should also be submitted to the employer.

North Carolina law generally allows injured workers up to two years from the date of injury to file a Form 18, but reporting the injury and submitting the necessary forms as soon as possible helps avoid delays.

4. Claim Review
After a claim is filed, the insurance carrier will review the claim and issue a determination regarding benefits and coverage.