A torn biceps tendon can be a physically debilitating and financially disruptive injury. In North Carolina, injured workers may be entitled to compensation through the state’s workers’ compensation system. However, determining the value of a torn biceps workers’ comp settlement involves multiple legal and medical factors. From calculating medical expenses to evaluating disability ratings and wage loss, navigating this process without legal support can be overwhelming.
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we assist injured workers across North Carolina in navigating the complex workers’ compensation system. Our board-certified attorneys bring over 40 years of combined legal experience, and we’ve helped countless clients recover the benefits they deserve after serious injuries. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to advocate for you every step of the way.
Contact Mehta & McConnell, PLLC today at 980-326-2270 or reach out online for a free consultation.
In this blog, we’ll break down what you need to know about workers’ comp settlements for torn biceps injuries.
What Is a Torn Biceps Tendon?
The biceps tendon connects the biceps muscle to the bones in your shoulder and elbow. A tear or rupture, commonly caused by lifting, pulling, or repetitive motion, can lead to significant pain, weakness, bruising, and limited function in the arm. Warehouse employees, delivery drivers, and others in physically demanding jobs are especially vulnerable.
These injuries may require physical therapy and even biceps tenodesis surgery to repair the tendon. For workers, that means missed time on the job, mounting medical bills, and concerns about returning to full duty.
How Does Workers’ Comp Work in North Carolina?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides medical care and wage replacement to employees who are injured while performing job duties. In North Carolina, nearly all employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The system is designed to help injured workers recover without the need to prove their employer was at fault.
If you suffer a work-related injury, such as a torn biceps tendon, here’s how the process typically works:
- Report the injury. You must notify your employer as soon as possible, and in writing, within 30 days of the injury. Failing to report on time could jeopardize your claim.
- Get medical treatment. Your employer or their insurance carrier may direct you to a specific doctor. It’s essential to follow all medical advice and attend every appointment, as your treatment history will directly impact your benefits.
- File a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. To formally initiate your claim, you’ll need to complete Form 18 and submit it to the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
- Wait for the insurance decision. If the workers’ compensation insurance carrier accepts your claim, you should begin receiving benefits for medical care and possibly wage loss. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal.
- Work with a lawyer to protect your rights. Claims may be denied or undervalued. A knowledgeable North Carolina workers’ comp lawyer can help advocate for you to receive the full compensation you’re entitled to under state law.
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC understands the intricacies of this system. We work directly with clients to help them navigate every step of the process and stand up to insurance companies who try to minimize payouts.
What Types of Compensation Are Included in a Settlement?
If your torn biceps tendon occurred while performing your job duties, North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system may entitle you to several forms of financial relief. Depending on the nature of your injury and recovery, a torn biceps or distal biceps rupture settlement could include the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits,
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits,
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits,
- Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits, and
- Vocational rehabilitation.
A knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney can evaluate your case and help you pursue all benefits available under North Carolina law.
FAQs
Here is more information about a torn biceps tendon or biceps tenodesis workers’ comp settlement.
What Is the Average Workers’ Comp Settlement for a Torn Biceps Injury?
There’s no fixed “average” settlement because each worker’s compensation case is different. Some of the most critical factors that can affect a torn biceps workers’ comp settlement include:
- Severity of the injury,
- Extent of disability,
- Ability to return to work,
- Medical treatment and costs,
- Age and occupation, and
- Disputes in the case.
To increase the chances of reaching a fair workers’ comp settlement for a torn biceps tendon, it’s essential to have a legal team that understands how these factors are evaluated under North Carolina workers’ compensation law. Mehta & McConnell, PLLC can help assess your situation and fight for the full value of your claim.
How Does My Ability to Return to Work Affect the Settlement Value?
The extent to which your torn biceps tendon limits your ability to return to work plays a critical role in the value of your workers’ compensation settlement. Sometimes, the injury permanently prevents you from doing your previous job or forces you into a lower-paying or less physically demanding role. If so, your settlement may increase to reflect that long-term impact on your earning capacity.
Generally, the more severe and lasting the disruption to your ability to work, the higher the potential value of your claim. This aspect is closely evaluated by doctors, employers, and insurance carriers when determining benefits. A qualified workers’ compensation attorney can help you clearly document and present these limitations so that your workers’ comp settlement for a torn biceps tendon reflects the full scope of your losses.
What Role Do Disability Ratings Play in Torn Biceps Settlement Amounts?
After you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), your doctor may assign you a permanent partial disability (PPD) rating based on the loss of function in your arm. This rating affects how much compensation you can receive under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation guidelines. The rating is applied to a formula using:
- Your impairment percentage,
- The number of weeks assigned to the affected body part (240 weeks for the arm), and
- Your average weekly wage.
For example, a 20% disability rating for a torn biceps would result in 48 weeks of compensation. If your average weekly wage before the injury was $1,000, your weekly workers’ compensation benefit would be two-thirds of that amount, i.e., $666.67. Multiply that by the 48 weeks of compensation, and your total permanent partial disability benefit would be $32,000.
Talk to a Charlotte Attorney About Your Workers’ Comp Settlement for a Torn Biceps Tendon
A torn biceps tendon can threaten your financial stability, limit your ability to work, and disrupt every part of your daily life. At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we help injured workers obtain the compensation they need to recover and move forward. Our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers who know how the other side operates. We use that insight to your advantage, building strong, evidence-based claims and aggressively negotiating for the benefits you deserve.
We offer a personalized legal strategy based on your case and direct communication with your attorney, not a case manager or assistant.
We’ll be in your corner every step of the way. Let us handle the insurance company while you focus on healing. Contact Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, today or schedule your free consultation online.
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Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers
Mehta & McConnell, PLLC was founded in 2021 to represent individuals who are injured at work or due to the negligence of someone else. Both of our attorneys began their careers as defense attorneys representing large corporations and insurance companies, but we now only represent injured individuals.