North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026
Understand written notice, Form 18, directed medical care, wage benefits, waiting days, disputes, and official assistance.
Give written notice as soon as practicable—and within 30 days
Notify an appropriate manager immediately and give the employer a written statement describing the accident and injury. Under G.S. 97-22, written notice generally must be provided no later than 30 days, subject to statutory excuse and prejudice provisions. Keep a copy, delivery proof, witness information, photographs, payroll records, and every medical work-status note.
An employer’s Form 19 reports the event but does not file the employee’s claim.
File Form 18 with the Industrial Commission
The injured worker begins an accident claim by filing Form 18. NCIC states that a two-year limitation generally applies, while G.S. 97-24 contains rules involving agreements, compensation, and the last payment of medical compensation. Occupational-disease and other specialized claims use different trigger rules. File promptly rather than assuming an employer’s report protects the deadline.
The employer or insurer generally directs treatment
For an accepted or compensable claim, the employer or insurer provides and directs medical treatment subject to Commission orders. Seek appropriate emergency care when necessary and notify the employer. A dissatisfied worker may seek Commission relief through the applicable medical-motion process rather than silently changing providers and risking a payment dispute.
Authorized travel of at least 20 miles round trip can qualify for reimbursement at the applicable IRS mileage rate using Form 25T.
Main benefit categories
Temporary total disability
Two-thirds of AWW within the injury-year maximum while qualifying total wage incapacity continues. Use the North Carolina Calculator.
Temporary partial disability
Two-thirds of qualifying wage loss, subject to the injury-year maximum and aggregate duration rules.
Medical compensation
Directed treatment reasonably required to effect a cure, give relief, or lessen disability, subject to Commission rules and orders.
Permanent partial disability
A physician assigns impairment; G.S. 97-31 supplies scheduled weeks for listed body parts.
Extended total disability
After 425 weeks, a worker may apply to prove total loss of wage-earning capacity beyond the 500-week limit.
Death benefits
Two-thirds of AWW up to the maximum, generally for 500 weeks, plus up to $10,000 actual funeral or burial expense.
Acceptance, denial, and suspension forms matter
A carrier may accept, deny, or pay without prejudice under forms and deadlines governed by the Act. Form 61 communicates a denial. Form 24 is generally used to request termination or suspension when Commission permission is required; the worker normally has 17 days from mailing to file the response described by NCIC. Form 33 requests a hearing, and most contested cases proceed through mediation before hearing.
Deadlines can be short, and the correct response depends on the filing, payment history, work status, and medical evidence.
Practical next steps
- Report the accident in writing.Keep proof that notice was delivered.
- Follow directed medical care.Save restrictions, referrals, bills, and mileage.
- File Form 18.Do not confuse the employer’s Form 19 with your claim.
- Track every Commission form.Acceptance, denial, suspension, and hearing documents carry different consequences.
North Carolina Industrial Commission
Main: 919-807-2501 or 800-688-8349 · Information Specialists: 919-716-1700 or 800-688-8349.
Visit NCIC →Official sources
- NCIC injured-worker resources and FAQs.
- NCIC frequently asked questions.
- NCIC Workers’ Compensation Bulletin.
- North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.
Page last reviewed: August 26, 2026. Educational information only; not legal advice.