If you have a workplace accident, you need to fill out certain paperwork and provide relevant supporting evidence before you’ll qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However obvious the extent and effect of your injury may be, you will not get a cent of workers’ compensation until you complete these tasks correctly.
Form 18 is the document that you’ll need to submit in order to give official notice of your claim. Once completed, you must submit it to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. This form alerts the Commission to several important pieces of information that will allow it to process your claim.
You’ll need to detail what happened that caused your injury as well as when it happened. You’ll also need to mention what parts of the body were injured. Details of your work hours and wages will also need to be included. Omitting details could lead to delays in the processing of your claim.
What if I cannot complete and sign the form?
Someone else can do it for you if you are unable, which could happen if your injuries have affected your hands, your cognitive functions and/or your ability to process information sufficiently while you’re on specific medications.
How long do I have to file the form?
You must do so within two years of the injury or occupational disease occurring. Otherwise, you’ll likely lose all rights to claim.
Remember, you’ll need to report the original incident to your employer within 30 days of sustaining harm or you may be barred from receiving compensation. Sending your employer a copy of this form would count as notice. The sooner you file, the sooner you can get compensation. Note that if you’re claiming for asbestosis, silicosis and business, you’ll need a different form.
Filling out the form correctly is not always a straightforward process. Consider legal help to do so and to help you prepare the appropriate accompanying evidence to increase the chance that your workers’ compensation claim will succeed the first time around.
