North Carolina Workers' Comp Benefits: Disability & Medical (2026)

North Carolina workers' compensation provides medical treatment and disability wage replacement benefits.

Medical Benefits

Coverage: All reasonably necessary medical treatment Duration: For life as needed No cost: Worker pays nothing Includes: Doctors, hospital, surgery, medications, therapy, equipment

Provider control: Employer designates authorized physicians

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

When: Cannot work at all during recovery Rate: 66.67% of average weekly wage Maximum (2026): Approximately $1,195/week Waiting period: First 7 days unpaid (unless disability exceeds 21 days, then retroactive) Duration: Until return to work or reach maximum medical improvement Payment: Biweekly

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

When: Return to work at reduced wages Rate: 66.67% of wage difference Maximum: Same as TTD maximum

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

When: Permanent impairment after MMI Based on: Impairment rating (medical evaluation) Calculation: Number of weeks based on % impairment × disability rate Maximum weeks: 300 weeks for most injuries

Example: 15% permanent impairment to back

• 15% × 300 weeks = 45 weeks of benefits

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

When: Unable to work in any capacity Rate: 66.67% of AWW Duration: For life (until retirement age) Difficult to prove: Must show no work capacity in any job

Scheduled Member Loss

Specific body parts with set values:

• Arm: 240 weeks
• Leg: 200 weeks
• Hand: 200 weeks
• Foot: 144 weeks
• Eye: 120 weeks
• Thumb: 75 weeks
• Fingers: 30-45 weeks

Calculation: % loss × weeks × disability rate

Death Benefits

Beneficiaries: Spouse, children, dependents Amount: 66.67% of AWW Duration:

• Spouse: Until remarriage (lump sum = 500 weeks benefits)
• Children: Until age 18 (age 23 if student) Burial: Up to $10,000

Vocational Rehabilitation

When: Cannot return to previous work Services: Training, education, job placement Duration: As approved by Commission

FAQs

Q: Are benefits taxable? A: No, all workers' comp benefits are tax-free.

Q: Can I receive workers' comp and Social Security Disability? A: Yes, but workers' comp may be offset to avoid exceeding 80% of pre-injury earnings.

Q: How long do benefits last? A: TTD until return to work or MMI; PPD for set weeks; PTD for life.

Q: Can I get a lump sum? A: Yes, through approved settlement.

Related Topics

• Filing a North Carolina Workers' Comp Claim
• North Carolina Denied Claims
• North Carolina Workers' Compensation Overview

Last updated: January 5, 2026