A workers’ compensation consultation is more useful when the worker can explain what happened, show what has been filed or paid, identify the immediate problem, and ask how the proposed representation would address it. A perfect file is not required, but the source documents matter.

A useful consultation starts with a verified timeline, the actual Commission and insurance documents, the current medical and work status, the worker’s priorities, and a written list of unresolved questions.

Write a one-page claim timeline

  • Employer, job, accident or exposure date, location, task, mechanism, witnesses, first report, written notice, and first medical care
  • Symptoms and diagnoses by body part, providers, testing, treatment, restrictions, referrals, surgery, maximum-medical-improvement or rating opinions, and disputed care
  • Last day worked, periods out, modified-duty offers, return attempts, schedule and pay changes, termination or resignation, and current work status
  • Forms filed, claim number, carrier position, payments, denials, hearing or mediation events, settlement discussions, and every pending deadline
  • Third-party involvement, vehicle or property insurance, liens, prior injuries, later events, and other claims that may affect releases or reimbursement

Bring the actual forms and correspondence

The Industrial Commission’s forms directory includes different documents for employee claims, employer reports, admissions, denials, payment without prejudice, wage statements, hearing requests, medical motions, settlements, and other events. Bring the filed version, not only a summary or unsigned draft.

  • Form 18, internal incident report, Form 19 if available, Commission acknowledgment, and proof of filing or delivery
  • Forms 60, 61, or 63; wage records and Form 22; checks; payment ledger; medical authorizations and denials
  • Emails, letters, portal messages, adjuster and nurse contacts, work offers, job descriptions, provider work notes, and hearing notices
  • Photographs, video information, witness contacts, equipment or product records, police or agency reports, and third-party insurance documents

Flag the urgent issue and deadline

G.S. 97-22 addresses written notice and contains a 30-day rule with stated exceptions. Other filing, hearing, objection, appeal, third-party, or medical deadlines may apply. Keep the document, envelope, email, portal confirmation, date received, and date sent so the deadline can be calculated from evidence.

  • Urgent treatment, prescription, surgery, diagnostic, provider, mileage, or authorization problem
  • No wage payment, wrong rate, missing period, partial return, work offer, or proposed suspension or termination
  • Denied accident, coverage, employee status, occupational disease, body part, causation, notice, or filing issue
  • Upcoming mediation, hearing, deposition, medical examination, settlement decision, rating agreement, or appeal date

Prepare questions about the proposed representation

The North Carolina State Bar’s Before You Hire a Lawyer guidance recommends clarifying scope, primary contact, communication, staffing, fees, expenses, document access, and what happens if representation ends. Ask who will perform each task and what information or decisions remain the client’s responsibility.

G.S. 97-90 makes attorney fees in a workers’ compensation matter subject to Industrial Commission approval. The written agreement should still explain the proposed fee, responsibility for expenses, included claim stages, separate third-party work, and how any approved deductions affect the client’s payment.

Define the desired next step

State the immediate goal: file the employee claim, obtain treatment, correct claim status, calculate wages, respond to a denial, evaluate a job offer, prepare for hearing, review a rating, coordinate a third-party claim, or compare settlement terms. The consultation may reveal a different priority, but a stated goal keeps the discussion concrete.

The related North Carolina workers’ compensation documentation checklist provides a fuller event, medical, work, wage, payment, communication, and deadline filing system.

Rosensteel Fleishman Car Accident & Injury Lawyers provides information about arranging a consultation with a Charlotte workers’ compensation attorney. The worker should leave with the known issues, missing evidence, proposed scope, fee terms, and next deadline stated clearly.

Sources