reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 97-20 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-20 - Priority of compensation claims against assets of employer.

 97-20. Priority of compensation claims against assets of employer.All rights of compensation granted by this Article shall have the same preference or priority for the whole thereof against the assets of the employer as is allowed by law for any unpaid wages for labor. (1929, c. 120, s. 20.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-21 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-21 - Claims unassignable and exempt from taxes and debts; agreement of employee to contribute to premium or waive right to compensation void; unlawful deduction by employer.

 97-21. Claims unassignable and exempt from taxes and debts; agreement of employee to contribute to premium or waive right to compensation void; unlawful deduction by employer.No claim for compensation under this Article shall be assignable, and all compensation and claims therefor shall be exempt from all claims of creditors and from taxes.No agreement by an employee to pay any portion of premium paid by his employer to a carrier or to contribute to a benefit fund or department maintained by such employer for the purpose of providing compensation or medical services and supplies as required by this Article shall be valid, and any employer who makes a deduction for such purpose from the pay of any employee entitled to the benefits of this Article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished only by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). No agreement by an employee to waive his right to compensation under this Chapter shall be valid. (1929, c. 120, s. 21; 1993, c. 539, s. 677; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 97-22 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-22 - Notice of accident to employer.

 97-22. Notice of accident to employer.Every injured employee or his representative shall immediately on the occurrence of an accident, or as soon thereafter as practicable, give or cause to be given to the employer a written notice of the accident, and the employee shall not be entitled to physician's fees nor to any compensation which may have accrued under the terms of this Article prior to the giving of such notice, unless it can be shown that the employer, his agent or representative, had knowledge of the accident, or that the party required to give such notice had been prevented from doing so by reason of physical or mental incapacity, or the fraud or deceit of some third person; but no compensation shall be payable unless such written notice is given within 30 days after the occurrence of the accident or death, unless reasonable excuse is made to the satisfaction of the Industrial Commission for not giving such notice and the Commission is satisfied that the employer has not been prejudiced thereby. (1929, c. 120, s. 22.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-23 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-23 - What notice is to contain; defects no bar; notice personally or by registered letter or certified mail.

 97-23. What notice is to contain; defects no bar; notice personally or by registered letter or certified mail.The notice provided in the foregoing section [G.S. 97-22] shall state in ordinary language the name and address of the employee, the time, place, nature, and cause of the accident, and of the resulting injury or death; and shall be signed by the employee or by a person on his behalf, or, in the event of his death, by any one or more of his dependents, or by a person in their behalf.No defect or inaccuracy in the notice shall be a bar to compensation unless the employer shall prove that his interest was prejudiced thereby, and then only to such extent as the prejudice.Said notice shall be given personally to the employer or any of his agents upon whom a summons in civil action may be served under the laws of the State, or may be sent by registered letter or certified mail addressed to the employer at his last known residence or place of business. (1929, c. 120, s. 23; 1959, c. 863, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-24 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-24 - Right to compensation barred after two years; destruction of records.

 97-24. Right to compensation barred after two years; destruction of records.(a) The right to compensation under this Article shall be forever barred unless (i) a claim or memorandum of agreement as provided in G.S. 97-82 is filed with the Commission or the employee is paid compensation as provided under this Article within two years after the accident or (ii) a claim or memorandum of agreement as provided in G.S. 97-82 is filed with the Commission within two years after the last payment of medical compensation when no other compensation has been paid and when the employer's liability has not otherwise been established under this Article. The provisions of this subsection shall not limit the time otherwise allowed for the filing of a claim for compensation for occupational disease in G.S. 97-58, but in no event shall the time for filing a claim for compensation for occupational disease be less than the times provided herein for filing a claim for an injury by accident.(b) If any claim for compensation is hereafter made upon the theory that such claim or the injury upon which said claim is based is within the jurisdiction of the Industrial Commission under the provisions of this Article, and if the Commission, or the appellate courts on appeal, shall adjudge that such claim is not within the Article, the claimant, or if he dies, his personal representative, shall have one year after the rendition of a final judgment in the case within which to commence an action at law.(c) When all claims and reports required by this Article have been filed, and the cases and records of which they are a part have been closed by proper reports, receipts, awards or orders, these records, may after five years in the discretion of the Commission, with and by the authorization and approval of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, be destroyed by burning or otherwise.  (1929, c. 120, s. 24; 1933, c. 449, s. 2; 1945, c. 766; 1955, c. 1026, s. 12; 1973, c. 476, s. 48; c. 1060, s. 1; 1991, c. 703, s. 8; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 3.4; 2015-241, s. 14.30(s).)
NC Gen Stat § 97-25.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-25.1 - Limitation of duration of medical compensation.

 97-25.1. Limitation of duration of medical compensation.The right to medical compensation shall terminate two years after the employer's last payment of medical or indemnity compensation unless, prior to the expiration of this period, either: (i) the employee files with the Commission an application for additional medical compensation which is thereafter approved by the Commission, or (ii) the Commission on its own motion orders additional medical compensation. If the Commission determines that there is a substantial risk of the necessity of future medical compensation, the Commission shall provide by order for payment of future necessary medical compensation. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 2.5.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-25.2 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-25.2 - Managed care organizations.

 97-25.2. Managed care organizations.The requirements of G.S. 97-25 may be satisfied by contracting with a managed care organization. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if an employer or carrier contracts with a managed care organization for medical services pursuant to this Article, those employees who are covered by the contract with the managed care organization shall receive medical services for a condition for which the employer has accepted liability or authorized treatment under this Article in the manner prescribed by the contract and in accordance with the managed care organization's certificate of authority; provided that the contract complies with rules adopted by the Commission, consistent with this Article, governing managed care organizations. An employee must exhaust all dispute resolution procedures of a managed care organization before applying to the Commission for review of any issue related to medical services compensable under this Article. Once application to the Commission has been made, the employee shall be entitled to an examination by a duly qualified physician or surgeon in the same manner as provided by G.S. 97-27.If an employee's medical services are provided through a managed care organization pursuant to this section, subject to the rules of the managed care organization, the employee shall select the attending physician from those physicians who are members of the managed care organization's panel, and may subsequently change attending physicians once within the group of physicians who are members of the managed care organization's panel without approval from the employer or insurer. Additional changes in the attending physician or any change to a physician or examination by a physician not a member of the insurer's managed care organization's panel shall only be made pursuant to the organization's contract or upon reasonable grounds by order of the Commission. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 2.1.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-25.4 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-25.4 - Utilization guidelines for medical treatment.

 97-25.4. Utilization guidelines for medical treatment.(a) The Commission may adopt utilization rules and guidelines, consistent with this Article, for medical care and medical rehabilitation services, other than those services provided by managed care organizations pursuant to G.S. 97-25.2, including, but not limited to, necessary palliative care, physical therapy treatment, psychological therapy, chiropractic services, medical rehabilitation services, and attendant care. The Commission's rules and guidelines shall ensure that injured employees are provided the services and care intended by this Article and that medical costs are adequately contained. In developing the rules and guidelines, the Commission may consider, among other factors, the practice guidelines adopted by the boards and associations representing medical and rehabilitation professionals.(b) Palliative care rules or guidelines adopted by the Commission may require that the provider (i) supply to the employer a treatment plan, including a schedule of measurable objectives, a projected termination date for treatment, and an estimated cost of services, and (ii) obtain preauthorization from the employer, not inconsistent with the provisions of G.S. 97-25.3. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 2.4.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-25.5 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-25.5 - Utilization guidelines for vocational and other rehabilitation.

 97-25.5. Utilization guidelines for vocational and other rehabilitation.The Commission may adopt utilization rules and guidelines, consistent with this Article, for vocational rehabilitation services and other types of rehabilitation services. In developing the rules and guidelines, the Commission may consider, among other factors, the practice and treatment guidelines adopted by professional rehabilitation associations and organizations. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 2.4.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-26.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-26.1 - Fees for medical records and reports; expert witnesses; communications with health care providers.

 97-26.1. Fees for medical records and reports; expert witnesses; communications with health care providers.The Commission may establish maximum fees for the following when related to a claim under this Article: (i) the searching, handling, copying, and mailing of medical records, (ii) the preparation of medical reports and narratives, (iii) the presentation of expert testimony in a Commission proceeding, and (iv) the time spent communicating with the employer or employee pursuant to G.S. 97-25.6(i).  (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 5.6; 2012-135, s. 4.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-26.2 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-26.2 - Reimbursement for prescription drugs, prescribed over-the-counter drugs, and professional pharmaceutical services.

 97-26.2. Reimbursement for prescription drugs, prescribed over-the-counter drugs, and professional pharmaceutical services.(a) The reimbursement amount for prescription drugs, prescribed over-the-counter drugs, and professional pharmaceutical services shall be limited to the lesser of ninety-five percent (95%) of the average wholesale price (AWP) of the product, calculated on a per unit basis, as of the date of dispensing or the reimbursement amount provided for in an agreement between the dispensing health care provider and the payor employer or workers' compensation insurance carrier.(b) All of the following shall apply to the reimbursement for prescription drugs and professional pharmaceutical services:(1) A health care provider seeking reimbursement for health care provider-dispensed prescription drugs, prescribed over-the-counter drugs, and pharmaceutical services shall include the original manufacturer's National Drug Code (NDC) number, as assigned by the United States Food and Drug Administration, on any billing documents or invoices issued.(2) In no event may a health care provider receive reimbursement in excess of ninety-five percent (95%) of the AWP of the drugs dispensed by a health care provider, as determined by reference to the original manufacturer's NDC number.(3) A repackaged NDC number may not be individually used on any billing documents or invoices issued and will not be considered the original manufacturer's NDC number. A repackaged NDC number may only appear in conjunction with the manufacturer's NDC number. If a health care provider seeking reimbursement for drugs dispensed by a health care provider does not include the original manufacturer's NDC number on any billing documents or invoices issued, reimbursement shall be limited to one hundred percent (100%) of the AWP of the least expensive clinically equivalent drug, calculated on a per unit basis.(4) No outpatient health care provider, other than a licensed pharmacy, may receive reimbursement for a Schedule II controlled substance, as defined in G.S. 90-90, a Schedule III controlled substance, as defined in G.S. 90-91, a Schedule IV controlled substance, as defined in G.S. 90-92, or a Schedule V controlled substance, as defined in G.S. 90-93, dispensed in excess of an initial five-day supply, commencing upon the employee's initial treatment following injury. Reimbursement under this subdivision shall be made for the five-day supply at the rates provided in this section.(5) For purposes of this section, the term "clinically equivalent" means a drug has chemical equivalents which, when administered in the same amounts, will provide essentially the same therapeutic effect as measured by the control of a symptom or disease.  (2014-100, s. 15.16A(a); 2015-241, s. 15.13B(a).)
NC Gen Stat § 97-28 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-28 - Seven-day waiting period; exceptions.

 97-28. Seven-day waiting period; exceptions.No compensation, as defined in G.S. 97-2(11), shall be allowed for the first seven calendar days of disability resulting from an injury, except the benefits provided for in G.S. 97-25. Provided however, that in the case the injury results in disability of more than 21 days, the compensation shall be allowed from the date of the disability. Nothing in this section shall prevent an employer from allowing an employee to use paid sick leave, vacation or annual leave, or disability benefits provided directly by the employer during the first seven calendar days of disability. (1929, c. 120, s. 28; 1983, c. 599; 1987, c. 729, s. 5.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-29.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-29.1 - Increase in payments in cases for total and permanent disability occurring prior to July 1, 1973.

 97-29.1. Increase in payments in cases for total and permanent disability occurring prior to July 1, 1973.In all cases of total and permanent disability occurring prior to July 1, 1973, weekly compensation payments shall be increased effective July 1, 1977, to an amount computed by multiplying the number of calendar years prior to July 1, 1973, that the case arose by five percent (5%). Payments made by the employer or its insurance carrier by reason of such increase in weekly benefits may be deducted by such employer or insurance carrier from the tax levied on such employer or carrier pursuant to G.S. 105-228.5 or G.S. 97-100. Every employer or insurance carrier claiming such deduction or credit shall verify such claim to the Secretary of Revenue or the Industrial Commission by affidavit or by such other method as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue or the Industrial Commission. (1977, c. 651.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-30 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-30 - Partial incapacity.

 97-30. Partial incapacity.Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 97-31, where the incapacity for work resulting from the injury is partial, the employer shall pay, or cause to be paid, as hereinafter provided, to the injured employee during such disability, a weekly compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the difference between his average weekly wages before the injury and the average weekly wages which he is able to earn thereafter, but not more than the amount established annually to be effective January 1 as provided in G.S. 97-29 a week, and in no case shall the employee receive more than 500 weeks of payments under this section. Any weeks of payments made pursuant to G.S. 97-29 shall be deducted from the 500 weeks of payments available under this section. An officer or member of the State Highway Patrol shall not be awarded any weekly compensation under the provisions of this section for the first two years of any incapacity resulting from an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of the performance by him of his official duties if, during such incapacity, he continues to be an officer or member of the State Highway Patrol, but he shall be awarded any other benefits to which he may be entitled under the provisions of this Article.  (1929, c. 120, s. 30; 1943, c. 502, s. 4; 1947, c. 823; 1951, c. 70, s. 2; 1953, c. 1195, s. 3; 1955, c. 1026, s. 6; 1957, c. 1217; 1963, c. 604, s. 2; 1967, c. 84, s. 2; 1969, c. 143, s. 2; 1971, c. 281, s. 2; 1973, c. 515, s. 2; c. 759, s. 2; 1981, c. 276, s. 1; 2011-287, s. 11.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-31.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-31.1 - Effective date of legislative changes in benefits.

 97-31.1. Effective date of legislative changes in benefits.Every act of the General Assembly that changes the benefits enumerated in this Chapter shall become law no later than June 1 and shall have an effective date of no earlier than January 1 of the year after which it is ratified. (1981, c. 521, s. 3; 1995, c. 20, s. 11.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-32 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-32 - Refusal of injured employee to accept suitable employment as suspending compensation.

 97-32. Refusal of injured employee to accept suitable employment as suspending compensation.If an injured employee refuses suitable employment as defined by G.S. 97-2(22), the employee shall not be entitled to any compensation at any time during the continuance of such refusal, unless in the opinion of the Industrial Commission such refusal was justified. Any order issued by the Commission suspending compensation pursuant to G.S. 97-18.1 on the ground of an unjustified refusal of an offer of suitable employment shall specify what actions the employee should take to end the suspension and reinstate the compensation. Nothing in this Article prohibits an employer from contacting the employee directly about returning to suitable employment with contemporaneous notice to the employee's counsel, if any.  (1929, c. 120, s. 32; 2011-287, s. 12.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-32.1 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-32.1 - Trial return to work.

 97-32.1. Trial return to work.Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 97-32, an employee may attempt a trial return to work for a period not to exceed nine months. During a trial return to work period, the employee shall be paid any compensation which may be owed for partial disability pursuant to G.S. 97-30. If the trial return to work is unsuccessful, the employee's right to continuing compensation under G.S. 97-29 shall be unimpaired unless terminated or suspended thereafter pursuant to the provisions of this Article. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 679, s. 4.1.)
NC Gen Stat § 97-33 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-33 - Prorating in event of earlier disability or injury.

 97-33. Prorating in event of earlier disability or injury.If any employee is an epileptic, or has a permanent disability or has sustained a permanent injury in service in the United States Army or Navy, or in another employment other than that in which he received a subsequent permanent injury by accident, such as specified in G.S. 97-31, he shall be entitled to compensation only for the degree of disability which would have resulted from the later accident if the earlier disability or injury had not existed.  (1929, c. 120, s. 33; 1975, c. 832; 2011-183, s. 127(b).)
NC Gen Stat § 97-34 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 97 - Workers' Compensation Act|Article 1 - Workers' Compensation Act.|§ 97-34 - Employee receiving an injury when being compensated for former injury.

 97-34. Employee receiving an injury when being compensated for former injury.If an employee receives an injury for which compensation is payable, while he is still receiving or entitled to compensation for a previous injury in the same employment, he shall not at the same time be entitled to compensation for both injuries, unless the later injury be a permanent injury such as specified in G.S. 97-31; but he shall be entitled to compensation for that injury and from the time of that injury which will cover the longest period and the largest amount payable under this Article. (1929, c. 120, s. 34.)