Workers' CompensationKey Takeaways
- You must report a workplace injury within 30 days, and Form 18 must be filed with the NCIC within five days of notifying your employer.
- Employers must file Form 19 with the NCIC within five days of learning about an employee’s injury, alongside the employee’s own Form 18.
- You can check your claim status through three channels: your employer, the insurance provider, or the NCIC’s Claims Administration Section.
- Medical benefits start once your claim is approved, but lost wage payments don’t begin until seven days after the injury, and only if you’re out 21 days or more.
- A denied claim can be appealed with Form 33, though a hearing before the Deputy Commissioner can take six months to a year to schedule.
Waiting to hear the results of a workers’ compensation claim can be emotionally and physically agonizing for employees. Workers’ compensation aims to give employees efficient and affordable access to medical care when injured on the job. In reality, many workers must wait weeks or months in limbo for a decision.
In this blog post, we’ll explain how to check the status of a workers’ comp claim. We’ll also answer common questions about workers’ comp and explain what to expect once a decision is made.
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Timeline
Several important deadlines govern North Carolina’s workers’ compensation claim process. Staying on top of these deadlines can help reduce issues that could delay a decision on your claim.
1. Tell Your Employer You’re Injured
Legally, employees injured on the job must inform their employer no more than 30 days after the injury if they want to seek workers’ compensation. It’s best to tell your boss immediately when you sustain an injury. If you cannot communicate with them directly, you can have a coworker or family member let them know. Before the 30 days expire, you should also send your employer written notice of your injury.
2. Employee Files Notice of Accident Form
An injured employee must complete and submit a Form 18 to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). After learning about your injury, your employer should give you a blank version of this form. Completing the form also officially initiates your claim for workers’ compensation with the NCIC. File Form 18 within five days of reporting a workplace injury to your employer.
3. Employer Files Report of Injury Form
Employers must report an employee’s workers’ comp request to the NCIC and their insurance company using a Form 19. The deadline for filing Form 19 is also five days after learning about an employee’s injury.
How Do I Know If My Workers’ Comp Claim Is Approved?
If approved, your claim status may be reported by your employer, the insurance company, or the NCIC.
If you’re still waiting on a decision, there are a couple of ways you can check the status of your claim. First, you can ask your employer. Since your employer’s insurer reviews and handles workers’ comp requests, your boss can often contact them for information about the status of your claim.
You can also contact your employer’s insurance provider directly. An insurer may be able to help you understand where your claim is in the review process. However, they’ll likely not give you an exact day by which you can expect to receive an answer.
Another way to check on the status of your claim is through the NCIC. The NCIC’s website provides a phone number that employees can call to reach the Claims Administration Section with general questions or claim inquiries.
A North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney can walk you through what this means for your situation.
How Soon Do Payments Start After My Claim Is Approved?
The type of compensation you receive will determine when your worker’s compensation payments start. Compensation for medical care should begin immediately once your claim is approved.
Payment for lost wages can take a little longer. If you’ve missed work because of your injury, benefits for lost wages won’t kick in until seven days after the incident. You can only receive lost wage benefits for those first 7 days if you’ve been away from work for 21 days or more.
If your claim is provisionally approved, you may wait to receive compensation. Should an insurer want to conduct further investigation into your injury, you may have to wait to receive any payments until notice of a final decision.
What Should I Do If My Claim Is Denied?
Once you understand how to check the status of a workers’ comp claim, it’s a good idea to learn about your rights and options in case your claim isn’t approved.
You can always appeal a denied claim. Employees who want to appeal should complete a Form 33 to request a hearing with the Deputy Commissioner. In the hearing, the Deputy Commissioner will review the evidence from your case and listen to testimony from witnesses and medical experts.
However, waiting for a decision on your hearing can also take time—anywhere from six months to a year. There’s also no guarantee that you’ll be able to secure a hearing date immediately, which can mean even more waiting on needed financial support.
If you have an attorney representing you, the NCIC could refer your appeal to mediation before your hearing. In mediation, your lawyer and the insurer’s legal representative can discuss your case before a neutral third party.
In some cases, your attorney can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company, meaning you’ll receive some of the compensation you seek without waiting for a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to find out if a workers’ comp claim is approved in North Carolina?
Under North Carolina law, the insurance carrier generally has 30 days from the date you file Form 18 (Notice of Accident) to accept (Form 60), deny (Form 61), or pay without prejudice while investigating (Form 63). Under a Form 63, the insurer can pay initial benefits while taking up to 90 days to make a final approval or denial decision. Note that Form 18 is filed by you (the employee), while your employer files Form 19 within 5 days of learning about the injury. You can check progress by asking your employer, contacting the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim, or calling the NCIC’s Claims Administration Section.
When do workers’ comp payments start after a claim is approved in North Carolina?
Medical benefits typically begin as soon as the claim is approved or accepted. Lost wage (disability) benefits work differently: they do not kick in until after a seven-day waiting period, and you will only collect retroactively for that first week if your disability forces you out of work for 21 days or more. If the insurer uses Form 63 to investigate the claim “without prejudice,” initial payments may start quickly, though a final decision will be pending.
What happens if my workers’ comp claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you can appeal by filing Form 33 (Request that Claim be Assigned for Hearing) with the NCIC. Getting a hearing date before a Deputy Commissioner typically takes six to twelve months. Before a formal hearing occurs, the NCIC routinely orders mandatory mediation, where you (or your attorney) negotiate with the insurer’s representative before a neutral mediator to attempt a settlement.
Who do I contact to check on my workers’ comp claim?
You have three main options: reach out to your employer, who can contact their insurance carrier; contact the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim directly; or call the NCIC Claims Administration Section to confirm receipt of forms or ask general administrative questions.
How long does it take to hear back on a workers’ comp claim in NC?
Under North Carolina law, the workers’ compensation insurance company generally has 30 days from receiving notice of your injury (or the filing of Form 18) to respond. During this 30-day window, the insurer must formally accept the claim (Form 60), deny it (Form 61), or initiate temporary payments without admitting liability while continuing their investigation (Form 63). If the insurer uses Form 63, they have up to 90 days from the notice date to issue a final approval or denial.
What does it mean if my claim is pending in North Carolina?
A “pending” or “under investigation” status means the insurance provider has received your claim but has not yet reached a final decision on liability. During this time, the adjuster is typically gathering medical records, reviewing accident reports, or interviewing witnesses to verify if the injury is work-related. Depending on how the insurer files Form 63, you may receive temporary wage or medical benefits while the claim is pending, but these payments can be stopped if the insurer ultimately decides to deny the claim before the 90-day investigation window closes.
Speak with a Board-Certified Representative Today
A lawyer can help you do much more than manage the complicated paperwork and deadlines for these claims. A trained attorney can ensure you have the documentation and detailed evidence needed to make a compelling appeal for compensation. If the insurer offers a settlement, your attorney can ensure it’s fair or negotiate for more compensation.
At Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, we understand the complexities of workers’ compensation claims from the inside. Our team of attorneys offers our clients 30 years of combined experience in North Carolina law and a wealth of insights that can only come from former insurance professionals.
We’re proud to use our combined knowledge and experience to help employees recover after an injury. If you’re concerned about your compensation claim, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a board-certified attorney.
Viral Mehta
Viral Mehta is a Managing Attorney at Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers in Charlotte, NC, and one of fewer than 1% of North Carolina attorneys holding a North Carolina State Bar Board Certification in Workers’ Compensation law. He spent the first decade of his career defending employers and insurance companies in workers’ comp claims before switching sides to represent injured workers. A North Carolina Super Lawyer (2024, 2025) and five-time Rising Star, Viral was also a contributing author of the 2017 North Carolina Workers’ Compensation LexisNexis Practice Guide and is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a Superior Court mediator.