Charlotte Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Injured Defense and Aerospace Employees

Helping victims of worksite injuries in the North Carolina defense and aerospace sectors

North Carolina has consistently led the way in aerospace innovation, from the initial flight made by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk to today’s ongoing research in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles at North Carolina State University. North Carolina boasts the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast, with some 460,000 manufacturing employees. Manufacturing in the state accounts for 1/5 of the state’s GSP, placing it right in the middle of the top 10 states in the nation. If you work in the state’s defense and/or aerospace industry, you are part of the prosperity and greatness of North Carolina.

Sometimes, however, negligence and accidents can occur in this industry that lead to debilitating injuries. When you are hurt during the course of your job duties, you have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit as well against another non-employer or non-coworker at-fault party. Warren & Kallianos is here to help you secure the compensation to which you are entitled by providing you with comprehensive and practical guidance with your claim.

Common Injuries Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Coverage in NC

Defense is a huge industry in the southeast region of North Carolina. The region hosts more than 109,000 active duty military personnel. As well, over 500,000 veterans are employed in this region of the country. Along with the fact that approximately 18,000 military personnel leave the service on a yearly basis, North Carolina manufacturers have a potential ready-made workforce available to them with these qualified individuals in both the defense and aerospace industries.

Some of the most common on-the-job injuries sustained by defense and aerospace workers are:

• Lifting and bending injuries. Repeated lifting and bending of heavy objects, especially without the aid of a safety belt or proper instruction on how to lift heavy items can lead to serious injury. The shoulders, back, and neck, as well as the legs and hips can endure considerable stress during a one- time or repeated series of lifts. Injuries resulting from these activities can include pulled back muscles and herniated or rupture discs.
• Repetitive stress injuries. Performing repeated activities from day-to-day can place undue strain and stress on certain body parts. Whether it involves typing on a keyboard clicking a mouse, or using large machinery, repetitive motions can cause injuries to the joints, tendons, and nerves.
• Crushing injuries. Workers who operate transport vehicles and heavy machinery are subjected to potential crushing injuries. This can occur when the individual gets stuck between two objects, such as a wall and a forklift truck, or when a large heavy object such as a piece of equipment falls upon the individual.
• Slips, trips, and falls from high elevations. Many large and heavy machines require tall ladders to service properly. Workers across many industries experience falls that result in injuries, and this is also true in the aerospace and aviation industries.
• Toxic material exposure. Machinists, engineers, and mechanics in the defense and aerospace industries may either work with or become exposed to dangerous materials from time to time. This can occur during site visits, in the case of engineers, or as a dedicated worker at a facility. The inhalation of certain compounds can severely irritate the lungs, and in some cases lead to cancer.

Although workers who handle machinery and work around heavy equipment face high injury risks, pilots, flight attendants, airport workers, and office workers are also entitled to obtain workers’ compensation if they suffer an injury on the job from a slip and fall or some other incident.

Available Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Injured Defense and Aerospace Employees

Under North Carolina law, you are entitled to file for the following workers’ compensation benefits due to an injury or illness you sustain in your defense or aerospace industry job.

• Lost wages. These benefits are provided to help supplement lost income as a result of a workplace injury and the subsequent inability to work for a period of time. The weekly compensation is set at two-thirds of the average weekly wage, not to exceed a specified maximum amount based on the current calendar year benefit cap. These benefits may continue until you are ready to resume work.
• Medical expenses. Items such as medications, medical testing, office visits, and more related to the treatment of your workplace injury or illness are all a part of a standard workers’ compensation package. This can include repeat visits prescribed by your doctor and the costs associated with emergency care and treatments.
• Partial, permanent, or total disability. These benefits accrue to you as an injured worker on either a partial or total disability basis even if your condition is not expected to improve according to the determination of your doctors.
• Medical treatment travel expenses. If your round-trip for medical care is 20 miles or greater, you should receive compensation for your mileage through your employer’s workers’ compensation.

In the tragic case of a family member losing their life in a workplace accident, you may have access to death benefits within your company’s workers’ compensation policy.

Contact an Experienced Government and Aerospace Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Warren & Kallianos offers comprehensive, effective counsel to injury victims throughout North Carolina. We understand the potential issues and obstacles that defense and aerospace workers in Charlotte and throughout the state can potentially face. We are committed to help you secure the financial benefits you deserve as we strive to treat you with dignity, care, and compassion. To learn more about your options with a free, no-obligation consultation, complete our contact form or call today us at 704-377-7777.