North Carolina Workers' Compensation Calculator
Calculate your workers' compensation benefits including temporary disability pay, permanent disability rating, and medical cost recovery. Our calculator applies your state's specific benefit rates, waiting periods, and settlement rules under North Carolina's specific laws.
What's My North Carolina Case Worth?Quick & easy · Takes 2 minutes · 100% free
In North Carolina, you generally have 2 years to file a workers' compensation claim. What your case is worth depends on your specific damages and North Carolina's laws — use the calculator below for a free estimate of your low-to-high range.
Key North Carolina Laws
| Filing Deadline | 2 years in line with the national average of 1.8 years |
|---|---|
| Negligence System | Contributory Negligence One of only 5 jurisdictions with this strict rule |
| Max Weekly Benefit | $1,254 Above avg ($1,243) |
| TTD Rate | 67% of wages Limited to 500 weeks |
| Waiting Period | 7 days Retroactive after 21 days |
| Employer Notice Deadline | 30 days Must report injury to employer within this period |
| Vocational Rehab | Available State provides job retraining benefits |
How North Carolina Law Affects Your Workers' Compensation Case
The workers’ compensation system in North Carolina is designed as a no-fault trade-off: employees receive guaranteed benefits without proving employer negligence, and in exchange employers are generally protected from personal injury lawsuits. Your own carelessness typically does not reduce your benefits, though intentional misconduct, intoxication, or horseplay may disqualify a claim.
The statute of limitations for this type of claim in North Carolina is 2 years — in line with the national average of 1.8 years. This is a standard timeframe, but acting sooner preserves evidence and strengthens your position.
Temporary disability benefits in North Carolina replace 67% of your pre-injury wages, subject to a weekly cap of $1,254. There is also a minimum benefit of $30 per week. Benefits begin after a 7-day waiting period. If your disability extends beyond 21 days, the waiting period is paid retroactively.
Permanent impairment in North Carolina is evaluated using the North Carolina's Disability Rating Schedule. The edition or rating system used matters significantly because different versions can produce substantially different impairment ratings for the same injury, directly affecting your permanent disability benefits.
In North Carolina, you must report your workplace injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. This employer notification deadline is separate from — and much shorter than — the 2-year statute of limitations for filing a formal claim. Failing to notify your employer within 30 days can result in your claim being denied or your benefits being reduced, even if you file the formal claim on time. Report the injury in writing and keep a copy for your records.
North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system includes vocational rehabilitation benefits for workers whose injuries prevent them from returning to their former positions. This can include career counseling, job retraining programs, tuition assistance, and transitional work placement. These benefits are separate from your disability payments and represent an important resource for long-term recovery and financial stability.
North Carolina Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart
These are the inputs the settlement formula (rate x weeks x rating) uses in North Carolina: the weekly compensation rate and its cap, the weeks and waiting rules the state applies, and the guide that sets the impairment rating.
| Wage-replacement (TTD) rate | 67% of average weekly wageTemporary total disability, paid while you cannot work |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,254The weekly ceiling, whatever your wage |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $30The weekly floor for low earners |
| Waiting period | 7 daysPaid back if disability lasts past 21 days |
| Maximum TTD weeks | 500 weeksCap on temporary total disability payments |
| Maximum PPD weeks | 500 weeksCap on permanent partial disability payments |
| Impairment rating guide | North Carolina's Disability Rating ScheduleSets the impairment percentage in the formula |
North Carolina caps weekly benefits at $1,254. Against a $1,200 placeholder wage, 67% is $800, which stays under the cap. Over 100 scheduled weeks at a 10% impairment rating, that rate produces a $8,000 permanent partial award. Every input is a placeholder and the result is an illustration, not a prediction for any claim.
- Average weekly wage (placeholder)
- $1,200
- Compensation rate (67% of wages)
- $800, below the $1,254 maximum
- Scheduled weeks (placeholder)
- 100 weeks
- Impairment rating (placeholder)
- 10%
- Permanent partial award in this example
- $8,000
Read more: Workers' Comp Settlement Chart · How Much Does Workers' Comp Pay
How Does North Carolina Compare?
North Carolina Workers' Compensation FAQs
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Legal Disclaimer
This calculator uses North Carolina's statutes as of 2026-08-30. Laws change frequently. This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current rules with a North Carolina-licensed attorney before making decisions about your case. Learn about our methodology.
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What's My North Carolina Case Worth?