Q. Are back injuries that are not “accidents” covered by Workers’ Compensation?

A. Yes. Generally, a work injury must be an “accident” to be compensable. Back injuries do not have to meet this requirement. NC law accepts back injuries that do not result from “accidents” if the worker can trace the injury to a “specific traumatic incident.” The more precise the time of the incident, the more likely the back injury claim will be compensable. ANY back injury should be prompted reported and checked out by a qualified physician. The details of the incident should be given very carefully and completely to both employer and medical providers. Many back injuries do not become symptomatic until several days later.