After a work accident in North Carolina, an employer is responsible for: Medical care. Workers’ compensation pays for medical expenses, including hospital and rehabilitation services, prescription medication, and travel expenses. The injured worker may also be entitled reimbursement of travel expenses to treatment facilities. Lost wages. Lost wages are paid after the first seven days of disability and are calculated at the rate of two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wages. These benefits are referred to as “Temporary Total Disability” or TTD, and “Temporary Partial Disability” or TPD. Compensation for any permanent injuries. For permanent injuries, workers receive payment based on North Carolina’s schedule of injury benefits, which lists compensation for specific injuries. Vocational rehabilitation. ​​​​​Sometimes due to the extent of an injury, an injured employee is unable to return to his or her current job. To assist the injured employee in returning to the workforce, an employer may utilize the services of a vocational rehabilitation counselor to assist the employee in finding another job. Vocational rehabilitation is governed by the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, and failure to cooperate with vocational rehabilitation services can result in the termination of workers’ compensation.