It is now clear that the North Carolina Legislature will legislation to slash workers' compensation benefits. The future rights of injured workers all across this great state are now at risk.
Your state representatives are being pressured by big business, insurance company lobbyists, the NC Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Commerce to significantly reduce workers' compensation benefits to injured workers.
One of the changes being pushed is an artificial cap on the number of weeks of weekly benefits an injured worker can receive. This law would stop benefits to an injured worker even if he or she is still disabled and unable to return to any type of work. Another change being considered will force injured workers to take any type of job they can find if they can not return to what is currently called “suitable employment”. Under this new legislation it appears that a person could be compelled into a job that pays less wages, provides less benefits and gives little room to advance. The loss of income resulting from the job change would be capped and benefits would stop even if the person was still physically unable to return to the type of work they were doing before they were injured.
We at the Advocates for Justice urge that you call and write your Representative and Senator and tell them to vote against any new laws that reduce workers' compensation benefits to injured workers. These new laws are likely to pass if legislators do not hear from the people they represent. Tell them not to give in to big business and the insurance company lobbyists who want them to put profit before the rights of injured workers. I would encourage you to ask your family members and friends to also call and write. If you are not able to speak with your representatives when you call, please leave a detailed message outlining your concerns. Click Here to Find Yor Senator and Representative
Through the power of our collective voices, we hope to fight this legislation and fight for the rights of all workers in North Carolina.