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When someone suffers an injury on the job, they may worry about whether their employer will retaliate against them if they file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. This system is designed to ensure that you have the financial support you need to cope with your injury and inability to work following the injury or accident. The rules make it clear that an employer cannot treat an employee unfairly or unjustly because he or she has requested benefits. If you were injured at work, our knowledgeable team of Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyers is standing by to help you secure your right to benefits.

In a recent case, the plaintiff was reportedly employed as a police officer from February 2009 until he was terminated in January 2016. The plaintiff filed a civil action claiming that the termination was a retaliatory response to his claim for workers’ compensation benefits. As background, the police department received a grant to purchase two police motorcycles as long as they were used regularly. The plaintiff was hired to fill one of the motorcycle positions.

Sometime in 2015, Plaintiff’s supervisor noticed that the plaintiff was not using the motorcycle regularly. The plaintiff informed the supervisor that it was too hot that day. The supervisor later sent an email to the plaintiff instructing him to ride his motorcycle every day. One month later, the plaintiff was hospitalized for heat-related symptoms while riding his motorcycle at work. The plaintiff filed a claim seeking workers’ compensation benefits for this medical emergency.

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Some car crashes are relatively straightforward. Others are complicated and give rise to complex legal issues that require the experience and knowledge of a seasoned North Carolina car accident attorney. Whether you are simply wanting more information about your legal rights or you are prepared to take action, we are standing by and ready to assist you.A recent North Carolina court opinion highlights one example of how car accidents can raise complex legal issues. The plaintiff was injured in a crash in 2008 while driving a Land Rover. The plaintiff’s vehicle was hit by another vehicle when the plaintiff was turning at an intersection. The plaintiff contacted the car maker after the crash to find out how he should have his vehicle repaired. When he took his vehicle in for repairs, he stated that he was concerned there was serious damage that could not be seen externally. One month later, the plaintiff picked up his vehicle, but no repairs had been made by the auto body shop that the plaintiff contacted. Instead, the defendant’s auto body shop had performed all of the repairs.

On the way home, the plaintiff noticed several issues with his vehicle, and when he arrived home, he found significant problems that had not been repaired. He contacted the auto body shop and returned the vehicle for further repairs. The plaintiff contacted the at-fault driver’s insurer and requested that they pay for the repairs. The plaintiff rejected the insurer’s initial offer on the basis that it was insufficient.

The plaintiff took his vehicle to another auto body repair shop to obtain an estimate on the diminished value of his vehicle. The shop determined that the vehicle was not safe to drive, and the insurer deemed it a total loss. The insurer told the plaintiff that it would need to conduct a third-party inspection before it could declare the car a total loss. The plaintiff called off the inspection before it could be performed.