Employees in Tabor City who sustain work-related injuries often endure more than physical pain. Medical bills, lost time from work, and concern about benefits can all become stressors for injured workers and their families very quickly. A Tabor City workers’ compensation lawyer can help explain how claims are assessed under North Carolina law and what steps need to be taken following a workplace accident.
Christina Rivenbark & Associates represents employees in Tabor City and throughout Columbus County, helping them with workers’ compensation claims and disputes involving on-the-job injuries.

Christina Rivenbark & Associates has advocated for injured workers in southeastern North Carolina for over 30 years. We handle workers’ compensation cases for all types of workplace accidents, disputed benefits, and claims administration problems.
Our team reviews medical records, employment information, and benefit determinations to assess whether workers’ compensation benefits have been properly administered. Employees in Tabor City count on our experience in the workers’ compensation system and the legal processes involved.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits to injured employees in North Carolina. It offers medical treatment, rehabilitation care, and partial wage replacement for some workers who are disabled from their job-related injuries.
Eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits typically depends on whether an injury occurred on the job and whether the employer has workers’ compensation insurance. Disputes can sometimes occur over whether an injury qualifies for benefits or if an injured worker should continue receiving benefits. A Tabor City workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure that injuries are properly documented and claims are processed according to state guidelines.
Workplace injuries can occur from falls, repetitive motion, overexertion, equipment incidents, or transportation accidents. In 2023, private industry employers reported 68,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in North Carolina. In 2024, North Carolina state and local agencies reported 284,546 motor vehicle crashes across the state, and some of those collisions were work-related as individuals were injured while on the job.
When reviewing a workers’ compensation claim, insurance companies and government agencies assess medical records, wages, and the circumstances surrounding how the injury occurred. Insurance companies may also ask questions regarding the degree of disability or whether treatment is reasonable and necessary. Legal representation can help injured workers who are asked to respond when benefits are delayed, limited, or denied.
If you are injured at work in Tabor City, receiving prompt medical attention is important for your health and for creating the medical records needed for workers’ compensation benefits, whether treatment begins at facilities such as Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Columbus Regional Emergency Department, or another local medical provider.
Copies of treatment records, work restrictions, and wage information can be important to maintain if issues are raised about benefits. Notice to the employer may also be required within certain timeframes under state law. An attorney with experience in workers’ compensation law can help injured workers understand deadlines, what benefits they may be eligible to receive, and how to respond if a claim is disputed.
If you were injured while driving as part of your work duties, you might be covered by workers’ compensation. This typically includes situations where an employee is driving to make deliveries or travel between job sites, or when a task for an employer requires driving. Commuting to and from work is usually not covered, but there are exceptions.
Evaluating a work-related driving injury case involves considering the purpose of the trip and the nature of employment.
Injuries that do not result from one specific accident, such as repetitive motion injuries or overuse conditions, may still be eligible for workers’ compensation. Injuries or conditions that develop over time, or occupational diseases, also may be covered.
Claims for these types of injuries typically require medical evidence that links the condition to the job. These cases can involve a more extensive review of the claimant’s work history and duties, as well as medical records.
In most North Carolina workers’ compensation cases, the employer or insurance carrier has the right to choose the authorized treating physician. Employees are generally required to receive treatment from the approved medical providers. Issues can arise if treatment is not provided or if the treatment is inadequate. In some cases, it is possible to request a change of physician through the proper administrative procedures.
Going back to work with restrictions does not necessarily mean that a workers’ compensation claim ends. Employers may provide modified or light-duty work that complies with medical restrictions. If suitable work is not available or the employee’s wages are reduced, the employee may receive partial disability benefits.
Reports from doctors and updates on work status may be important in determining if further benefits are due. You should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you navigate these processes.
In Tabor City, NC, an employer may not retaliate against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Although an employee may be fired for any legitimate business reason, an employer may not fire, demote, or otherwise discipline an employee in retaliation for an employee reporting a workplace injury or making a claim for benefits. Retaliation claims may also raise additional legal issues outside the workers’ compensation claim.
Injuries at work can impact your health, income, and long-term employment security. Injured workers should know how workers’ compensation benefits are managed in North Carolina and what they can do to protect their rights.
Christina Rivenbark & Associates can help injured workers in Columbus County with work injury claims. Call to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our Tabor City workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss your case and learn about your rights and benefits.