19 Dec 2025

The Most Common Workplace Injuries and Their Legal Ramifications in NC

The majority of on-the-job injuries fall into three key categories. Understanding these categories is the first step in determining the legal nature of your workers' compensation claim.

Injury Category	Description	Common Injuries
Overexertion & Bodily Reaction	Injuries from non-impact physical effort, such as excessive lifting, pushing, pulling, or repeated motions.	Back strains, herniated discs, muscle tears, and Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Falls, Slips, and Trips	Injuries from falling on the same level (slips/trips) or falling to a lower level (from ladders, roofs, scaffolding).	Fractures, sprains, joint dislocations, and head/spinal cord injuries.
Contact with Objects or Equipment	Being struck by a moving or falling object, striking against an object, or being caught in/between machinery.	Lacerations, crushing injuries, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries.

The Legal Framework: Injury vs. Occupational Disease

In North Carolina, not all injuries are treated the same way under the law.

Injury by Accident

To be compensable under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act (Chapter 97), an injury must generally be an “injury by accident arising out of and in the course of the employment.” This means there must be some unexpected event that interrupted the normal work routine.

*Back Injury Exception: For a back injury to be covered, it must be the “direct result of a specific traumatic incident of the work assigned,” regardless of whether there was a general accident. This is a critical distinction in NC law.

Occupational Disease

A disease is typically covered only if it is an occupational disease caused by exposure to harmful conditions or substances unique to the workplace, such as asbestos, lead poisoning, or certain cancers. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) like carpal tunnel syndrome are often pursued as occupational diseases because they develop over time, not from a single accident.

The Hardest Injury to Prove

While visible injuries are generally straightforward, conditions that manifest over time, such as Repetitive Strain Injuries (like Carpal Tunnel) and certain Toxic Torts (diseases from long-term chemical exposure), can be the hardest injury to prove because the victim must legally connect the injury to their job duties over an extended period.

OSHA Hazards and Citable Violations

Many common workplace injuries are a direct result of safety failures. OSHA's most frequently cited standards highlight where employers most often fail to protect employees. The top three hazards consistently cited by OSHA are:

Fall Protection (General Requirements): Consistently ranks first and is required when workers are exposed to falls of six feet or more in construction.
Hazard Communication: Failure to provide information and training about hazardous chemicals, including proper labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
Ladders: Violations often stem from improper use, lack of maintenance, or failing to extend portable ladders three feet above the landing surface.

The most common causes of accidents, including Fall Protection and Hazard Communication, directly correlate with the top types of personal injury cases and accidents we see.

Legal Ramifications and Your Claim

When you suffer one of the most common workplace injuries or an occupational disease, your legal recourse generally involves two avenues:

1. Workers' Compensation Claim

This is a no-fault system. You do not have to prove your employer was negligent.

Benefits: Covers all reasonable and necessary medical compensation required to effect a cure or give relief (hospital, surgery, therapy), and indemnity benefits (lost wages).
Employer Duty: Every employer must secure the payment of compensation to his employees. No contract or agreement can relieve an employer of any obligation created by this Article.
The Exclusivity Rule: Generally, workers' compensation is your exclusive remedy against your employer, meaning you cannot file a traditional personal injury lawsuit against them.

2. Third-Party Personal Injury Lawsuit

This is an exception to the exclusivity rule. If your injury was caused by the negligence of a party other than your employer or a co-worker, such as a defective machine manufacturer, a property owner (if you are a tenant/contractor), or a negligent driver on a job-related route, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against that third party.

Compensation: A successful personal injury claim against a third party allows you to recover damages not available under workers' comp, including pain and suffering and full damages for emotional distress.

For more information on the distinctions in NC law, you should review our Guide to Personal Injury Law in North Carolina.

Secure Your Benefits in the Raleigh Area

Whether your case is a standard overexertion injury or a complex third-party action, the time limit for filing a claim is strict. If you've suffered one of the most common workplace injuries in the Raleigh, Durham, Apex, or Cary areas, don't leave your compensation to chance.

Contact Paul Robinson Law, P.L.L.C. today for a free consultation. We'll help you navigate the NC Workers' Compensation Act and fight for the full benefits you deserve.