How Will Layoffs Due to COVID-19 Affect a Claimant’s Entitlement to Workers’ Compensation Indemnity Benefits?

Elizabeth Ligon and Bruce Hamilton

While the North Carolina Industrial Commission has not yet issued any decisions specifically related to COVID-19, there are prior cases that have considered whether a claimant is entitled to indemnity benefits when their disability is the result of economic conditions. In general, when a claimant’s disability is due to an economic downturn, rather than a…