North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 18 is the Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee, Representative, or Dependent, and it is the form an injured worker files to start a workers’ compensation claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). The version most filers use today is the 4/2023 revision, printed at the bottom of the form, so check that date before you write anything to make sure you hold the current copy.
This one form does two jobs at once. It gives your employer the legal written notice the law demands, and it opens an official claim file at the Commission so the state can track your case. Roughly two-thirds of North Carolina workers’ comp claims start with a worker’s own filing or report, yet many of those claims hit delays because the injury description box is filled out wrong or the form arrives past a deadline. Getting this right the first time protects your wages, your medical care, and your right to a hearing later.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What Form 18 is, who must file it, and the exact deadlines that control your claim
- 🖊️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, with sample answers you can copy the format of
- 👤 Three real-world filled-out examples, including a dependent filing after a workplace death
- 📬 Every way to file the form, with the email address, mailing address, and what proof to keep
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that get claims denied and exactly how to avoid each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form 18 is the official claim document in a North Carolina workers’ compensation case. Its full printed title is “Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee, Representative, or Dependent,” and the form states plainly that its use “is required under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act.” When you send it in, the Commission opens a file and assigns an I.C. File Number, which becomes the unique identifier for your injury in every future letter, motion, and hearing.
The agency that receives the form is the North Carolina Industrial Commission, the state body that runs the workers’ comp system. The law behind the form is the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, found in Chapter 97 of the General Statutes. Two statutes inside that chapter drive every deadline you will read about below: N.C.G.S. § 97-22, which sets the 30-day notice rule, and N.C.G.S. § 97-24, which sets the two-year filing limit.
Several groups can file a Form 18. The most common filer is the injured employee. An attorney or other representative can sign and file for the worker, and a dependent (such as a surviving spouse or child) files it when a worker dies from a job injury. The form should also be used for most occupational disease claims, with one key exception explained next.
One trap catches many people: filing a Form 18 is your job, not your employer’s. The employer files a separate document called the Form 19, the Employer’s Report of Injury, but the official instructions warn that the employer’s Form 19 “does not satisfy the employee’s obligation to file a claim.” Even if your boss is paying your medical bills and the Commission has opened a file, you must still file your own Form 18 to protect your rights.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out Form 18 goes faster and cleaner when you gather your facts first. The form asks for personal data, employer data, insurance data, and a careful injury story, and a blank or wrong answer in any of these can stall your claim. Below is the pre-filing checklist every filer should complete before opening the form.
- Your full legal name and home address. The Commission mails your acknowledgement letter and I.C. File Number here, so a wrong address means you never learn your claim is open.
- Your Social Security number. The Commission uses it to verify your correct employer and find the insurance coverage; disclosure is voluntary, but leaving it out can slow the match.
- Your date of birth and sex. These confirm your identity against state records and prevent your file from being merged with another worker’s.
- Your home and work telephone numbers and email. The adjuster and the Commission use these to reach you about benefits, and a missing number delays the first contact.
- Your employer’s exact legal name and address. The wrong name (a store brand instead of the legal company) can send your claim to the wrong insurer and waste weeks.
- The insurance carrier’s name, policy number, address, and phone. This routes the claim to the right adjuster; if you do not know it, you may leave it blank and the Commission will find it.
- The date, time, city, and county of your injury. The date is required, and the two-year clock runs from it, so an estimate that is too early or too late can bar your claim.
- Your weekly wage, hours per day, and days per week. These set the value of your weekly checks, so a lowball figure here can cut your benefits for the life of the claim.
- The number of days you missed work, including partial days. This supports your wage-loss claim and signals whether the seven-day waiting period is met.
- A clear, written description of how the injury happened. This is the heart of the form; a vague story is the single most common reason a claim gets challenged.
If any item is missing, do not let it stop you from filing before a deadline. You can leave the insurance line blank, but never leave the date of injury or the description blank, because those two fields decide whether your claim survives.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only version you should trust is the official one hosted by the Commission. Download the current Form 18 (4/2023) straight from the NCIC forms page, which lists every official workers’ comp form in PDF. Avoid random copies floating on third-party sites, because an outdated revision may use old box labels or an old mailing address.
The PDF is fillable and printable. You can type your answers directly into the boxes on a computer and then print it, or you can print it blank and complete it by hand. The form’s own note says to “type or print by hand in black ink, if possible,” because clean, dark text scans correctly when the Commission’s staff enters your data.
The document is two pages. Page 1 is the form itself, with your information, the injury description, and the signature block. Page 2 is the General Information on the Form 18 sheet, a built-in FAQ from the Commission that answers the most common questions; read it, but you do not file page 2.
If you plan to file electronically and you already have an I.C. File Number, attorneys and represented parties use the Commission’s Electronic Document Filing Portal (EDFP) at ic.nc.gov/docfiling.html. Workers without a file number use the simpler email or mail options covered later in this guide.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 18 Line by Line
This is the core of the guide. Each box below gets its own walkthrough, in the order the fields appear on the 4/2023 form. Use the italicized sample entries to copy the format, not the facts.
Upper Right Corner: I.C. File #, Emp. Code #, Carrier Code
This small block sits at the top right of page 1 and asks for three code numbers. In plain English, it is the Commission’s internal filing label for your injury, and the I.C. File Number is the unique ID used in every future letter.
To answer it, leave all three boxes blank in almost every case. The official instructions say you do not need to fill in the upper right corner. If you already know your employer filed a Form 19 and you were given an I.C. File Number, you may write only that number in the “I.C. File #” space.
For example, Maria Lopez learned from her HR office that her file number is “23-712345,” so she writes that in the I.C. File # box and leaves the other two blank.
A common edge case is the worker who has no idea what these codes are. That is normal, and you should simply leave them empty, because the Commission assigns the I.C. File Number for you when it receives your form.
The most common mistake here is guessing or inventing a number to look complete. A made-up file number can attach your form to the wrong claim or trigger a manual review that delays your acknowledgement letter.
A frequent misconception is that you must have a file number before you can file. You do not; filing the Form 18 is what creates the number, and the “Emp. Code #” and “Carrier Code #” spaces are for Commission staff use only.
Employee’s Name
This field asks for your full name as the injured worker making the claim. In plain English, it is asking who got hurt and who is filing.
Write your full legal name the way it appears on your Social Security card, in the format first, middle, last. The form prefers black ink and printed letters so the name scans cleanly.
For example, Maria Elena Lopez writes “Maria Elena Lopez,” not “Maria L.” or a nickname like “Ellie.”
If your name changed after marriage or divorce, use the legal name that matches your Social Security record, because the Commission cross-checks your name and number against state employment records.
A common mistake is using a nickname or dropping a hyphenated surname, which can break the match to your wage records and stall the claim.
People often believe the name must match their work badge or paystub. It should match your Social Security card, since that is the record the Commission verifies against.
Address, City, State, Zip (Employee)
This field asks where you live so the Commission can mail you. In plain English, it is your home mailing address.
Enter your current street address, then city, state, and ZIP in the separate boxes provided. Use the address where you reliably receive mail.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “418 Maple Ridge Dr, Durham, NC 27704.”
If you use a P.O. Box because mail to your street is unreliable, use the P.O. Box, since getting the acknowledgement letter matters more than listing a street.
The most common mistake is listing an old address after a recent move. If the letter with your I.C. File Number goes to the wrong place, you may miss deadlines without knowing your claim is even open.
Many filers think the address must match their employer’s records. It should be your real, current mailing address, because that is where every notice in your case will be sent.
Home Telephone and Work Telephone
These two fields ask for phone numbers where you can be reached. In plain English, they want the best numbers for the adjuster and the Commission to call.
Enter your home or cell number in the home telephone boxes and your work number in the work telephone boxes, using the area-code format printed on the form. A cell phone counts as a home number if you have no landline.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “(919) 555-0142” for home and leaves work blank because she is currently out on her injury.
If you do not have a work phone or do not want calls at work, you may leave that line blank. The home number is the one that matters most.
A common mistake is entering a disconnected or rarely checked number. The insurance adjuster’s first contact often comes by phone, and a bad number delays your benefits decision.
People often assume the Commission only writes letters. In practice, the adjuster usually calls first, so a working number speeds up your case.
Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit Social Security number. In plain English, it is how the state confirms your identity and finds your employer’s insurance.
Enter your SSN in the format the boxes show, with the standard three-two-four digit grouping. The form’s disclosure statement explains the number is used to verify the correct employer and identify workers’ comp coverage under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “123-45-6789.”
Disclosure is voluntary, so if you choose not to provide it you may leave it blank, though doing so can slow the Commission’s effort to match your employer and insurer.
A common mistake is transposing two digits. A wrong SSN can attach your claim to the wrong employer record and create a hold while staff sort it out.
Many people fear the number becomes public. It does not; the Commission treats SSNs as confidential and exempt from public disclosure, sharing them only as the statute allows.
Sex and Date of Birth
These fields ask you to mark M or F and to enter your birth date. In plain English, they confirm who you are alongside your name and SSN.
Check the correct box for sex, and write your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format in the slashed boxes provided.
For example, Maria Lopez checks “F” and writes “03/14/1985.”
If you were born outside the United States and use a different date format on other documents, convert it to month/day/year here so it matches U.S. records.
A common mistake is writing the day before the month (day/month/year), which can make a real birthday look invalid and trigger an identity check.
Some filers think date of birth is optional filler. It is a key identity field that helps the Commission keep your file separate from another worker with a similar name.
Employer’s Name, Address, City, State, Zip
This block asks for your employer’s identity and location. In plain English, who do you work for and where are they located.
Enter the employer’s exact legal business name, not just a store or brand name, followed by the full address. If you are unsure of the legal name, check your paystub or W-2.
For example, Maria Lopez works at a coffee chain franchise, so she writes the legal entity “Triangle Brews LLC” rather than the brand on the sign.
A nuance arises with staffing agencies: if a temp agency pays you, list the agency as the employer, because that is usually who carries the workers’ comp policy.
The most common mistake is writing the trade name instead of the legal name. This can route your claim to the wrong company or insurer and waste weeks of processing.
People often assume any version of the company name works. The Commission uses this name to verify the employer with the Division of Employment Security, so accuracy speeds the match.
Insurance Carrier, Policy Number, Carrier’s Address, Telephone, and Fax
These fields ask about your employer’s workers’ comp insurance company. In plain English, who pays the claim and how to reach them.
Enter the carrier’s name, policy number, address, phone, and fax if you know them. This information usually appears on a workers’ comp poster at your job or can be supplied by HR.
For example, Maria Lopez does not know her employer’s carrier, so she leaves these lines blank.
The built-in nuance is that you are allowed to leave this blank. The instructions say you may ask your employer, call the Commission’s Claims Administration Section at (800) 688-8349 and press “3,” or simply leave it empty.
A common mistake is guessing a carrier name from memory. A wrong insurer routes your claim to a company that has no record of you, which causes a denial letter and a restart.
Many filers wrongly believe a blank insurance line will get the form rejected. It will not; the Commission can identify the coverage on its own, so never delay filing over this field.
Date, Time, City and County of Injury
This is the start of the injury section, and the date is required. In plain English, when and where did the accident or disease happen.
Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY, the time of injury, and the city and county where it occurred. The two-year filing clock under N.C.G.S. § 97-24 runs from this date.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “on 04/02/2026 at 7:45 a.m. in Durham, Durham County.”
For an occupational disease that built up over time, use the date a doctor diagnosed it or the date you last worked in the harmful conditions, since there is no single accident moment.
The most common mistake is leaving the date blank or guessing wrong. A blank required date can void the form, and a wrong date can make a timely claim look barred.
People often think only the year matters. The exact date controls your deadline and lines up with medical and payroll records, so be as precise as you can.
Describe the Injury or Occupational Disease, Including the Specific Body Part
This field asks what is hurt. In plain English, name the injury and the exact body part involved.
Describe the injury and the specific body part, using the form’s own examples like “right hand, left hand.” Be precise and name every body part affected.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “Severe burns to the right hand and right forearm, plus a sprained right wrist.”
A nuance: list every body part now, even minor ones. If your back also hurts, name it, because parts you leave off can later be called “unrelated” by the insurer.
The most common mistake is writing something vague like “hurt at work.” A claim must tie compensation to specific body parts, and a vague entry invites a denial of treatment for parts you never named.
Many filers believe they can add body parts freely later. In practice, an omitted part can be disputed, so the safest move is to name them all on the first filing.
Describe How the Injury or Occupational Disease Occurred
This is the single most important box on the form. In plain English, tell the story of how it happened.
Write a clear, factual account that shows an accident or specific traumatic event, because North Carolina law under N.C.G.S. § 97-2(6) generally requires an unusual event, not just normal work, for an injury to be compensable. State what you were doing, what went wrong, and what hit or strained you.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “A coworker bumped the espresso machine’s steam wand, which swung loose and sprayed scalding water and steam onto my right hand and forearm while I was cleaning the counter.”
A nuance for back and joint injuries: the law often requires a “specific traumatic incident” for the back, so write the exact lift, twist, or slip rather than “wear and tear.”
The most common mistake is describing routine work with no event, such as “my hand just started hurting.” Without an accident or specific traumatic incident, the insurer can argue the injury is not covered at all.
People often think a short answer is safer. The opposite is true here: a detailed, specific story is what proves your claim, and a thin description is the leading cause of disputes.
Occupation When Injured and Nature of Employer’s Business
These two fields ask what your job was and what your company does. In plain English, your role and the company’s industry.
Enter your job title or duties for occupation, and a short phrase for the employer’s line of business.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “Barista / counter server” for occupation and “Retail coffee shop” for nature of business.
A nuance applies if you do many jobs: list the role you were doing when the injury happened, since that connects the injury to your duties.
A common mistake is leaving these blank. They help the Commission and insurer judge whether your injury fits your work, and a blank can prompt a follow-up request that delays the claim.
Some filers think job title is unimportant detail. It actually supports the work-relatedness of your injury, so a clear title strengthens your claim.
Medical Treatment Received? (Yes/No) and Number of Days Out of Work
This field asks whether you have seen a doctor and how much work you have missed. In plain English, did you get care, and how many days have you lost.
Check Yes or No for medical treatment, then enter the number of days out of work, counting partial and whole calendar days even if they are not back-to-back.
For example, Maria Lopez checks “Yes” and writes “9” days out.
The built-in nuance is the partial-day rule: the Commission confirms you include partial as well as whole days, and the days do not need to be consecutive.
A common mistake is counting only full days off. Undercounting your missed days can understate your wage loss and reduce the benefits you are owed.
Many filers think they must already be receiving treatment to file. You do not; you can check “No” and still file, because the claim and the treatment are separate steps.
Weekly Wage, Hours Worked Per Day, and Days Worked Per Week
These fields set the money value of your claim. In plain English, how much you earn and how much you work.
Enter your average weekly wage in dollars, then your hours per day and days per week. Use your gross pay (before taxes), and include overtime and regular bonuses if they are part of your normal earnings.
For example, Maria Lopez writes “$640” weekly wage, “8” hours per day, and “5” days per week.
A nuance: if your hours swing week to week, use a fair average of recent weeks rather than your lowest or a single slow week.
The most common mistake is reporting take-home pay instead of gross, or leaving out overtime. A low wage figure cuts your weekly benefit check for the entire life of the claim.
People often think this number is just an estimate that gets ignored. It directly feeds your average weekly wage and compensation rate, so an accurate figure protects your benefits.
Signature Block: Signature, Check One (Employee/Attorney/Representative/Dependent), Printed Name, Email, Telephone, Address, Date Completed
This is the legal signature that makes the form a real claim. In plain English, you sign it, say who you are, and date it.
Sign the form, check the one box that fits you (Employee, Attorney, Representative, or Dependent), then print your name, email, phone, full address, and the date completed in MM/DD/YYYY.
For example, Maria Lopez signs her name, checks “Employee,” prints “Maria Elena Lopez,” lists her email and phone, and dates it “04/06/2026.”
A nuance the form spells out: if you cannot sign because of your injury, another person may sign for you, which is why a spouse or representative can complete this block.
A common mistake is forgetting to check the correct role box or leaving the date blank. An unsigned or undated form is not a valid claim and may be returned, costing you time against your deadline.
Many people believe a digital or typed name alone is enough. The form is a legal claim, so provide a real signature and an accurate date, since the date can matter for proving timeliness.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three examples follow named filers through the most common Form 18 situations. Use them as a model for level of detail, not as facts to copy.
Scenario 1 – Sudden traumatic injury (warehouse fall). Carlos Rivera slips on a wet loading dock and fractures his left wrist.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| I.C. File # (upper right) | Leaves blank; Commission will assign one |
| Employee’s Name | Carlos Rivera |
| Address | 92 Birchwood Ln, Greensboro, NC 27405 |
| Social Security Number | 987-65-4321 |
| Employer’s Name | Piedmont Distribution Inc. |
| Date / City and County of Injury | 05/11/2026, Greensboro, Guilford County |
| Describe the injury (body part) | Fractured left wrist and bruised left hip |
| How it occurred | Slipped on water pooled near loading dock door and fell onto outstretched left hand |
| Weekly wage / Days out | $820 weekly; 14 days out |
| Signature / Check one | Signed; checks Employee; dated 05/15/2026 |
Scenario 2 – Occupational disease (repetitive-motion carpal tunnel). Aisha Bell develops carpal tunnel after years of data entry.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| I.C. File # (upper right) | Leaves blank |
| Employee’s Name | Aisha Bell |
| Date / City and County | Date of diagnosis 03/20/2026, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County |
| Describe the injury (body part) | Carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and hands |
| How it occurred | Years of repetitive keyboard and mouse data entry led to numbness and pain diagnosed as carpal tunnel |
| Occupation / Nature of business | Data entry clerk; medical billing company |
| Medical treatment received? | Yes |
| Weekly wage / Days out | $710 weekly; 6 partial days for appointments |
| Signature / Check one | Signed; checks Employee; dated 03/24/2026 |
Scenario 3 – Dependent filing after a workplace death. Janet Cole files after her husband, Marcus Cole, dies in a fall at a construction site.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Employee’s Name | Marcus Cole (the deceased worker) |
| Employer’s Name | Coastal Builders LLC |
| Date / City and County | 02/03/2026, Wilmington, New Hanover County |
| Describe the injury (body part) | Fatal head and spine injuries |
| How it occurred | Fell from scaffolding when a guardrail gave way at a third-floor jobsite |
| Medical treatment received? | Yes |
| Signature / Check one | Janet signs; checks Dependent; prints Janet Cole |
| Date Completed | 02/12/2026 |
In all three, the filer leaves the insurance line blank when unknown, names every body part, and writes a specific event in the “how it occurred” box. That combination is what gives each claim its best chance.
How to File the Completed Form
Once the form is signed and dated, you must get it to the right place and keep proof. The official rule is to submit the original to the Industrial Commission, give one copy to your employer, and keep one copy for yourself. Below are all the channels available.
- By email (employees): Send the signed PDF to forms@ic.nc.gov. There is no filing fee. Save the sent email and any auto-reply as your proof of filing, and note the date and time you sent it.
- By mail (employees): Mail a signed copy to NCIC – Claims Section, 1235 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1235. There is no fee. Use certified mail with return receipt so you keep dated proof of delivery.
- Electronic portal (attorneys/represented parties with a file number): File through the Electronic Document Filing Portal (EDFP) at ic.nc.gov/docfiling.html if you already have an I.C. File Number; if you have no file number, follow the employee email or mail options instead. No fee applies.
- To your employer (every filer): Deliver one signed copy to your employer, ideally by a method that creates a record such as certified mail or a dated email, because this is what satisfies the 30-day notice requirement.
Processing time varies with the Commission’s current workload, so do not panic if the acknowledgement letter takes a few weeks. There is no charge to file a Form 18, and you can reach the main line at (919) 807-2500 or the Helpline at (800) 688-8349 with questions. Whatever channel you choose, keep dated proof, because that proof is your evidence the form was filed on time.
What Happens After You File
After the Commission processes your Form 18, it mails you an acknowledgement letter that includes your I.C. File Number. Keep this letter, because that file number must appear on every future form, motion, and letter in your case. Processing time depends on the Commission’s workload, so expect a wait of several weeks rather than days.
The Commission also mails a copy of that acknowledgement to the employer or its insurance carrier and asks them to contact you and say whether they will pay benefits voluntarily. This is when an adjuster usually reaches out, often by phone, which is why your phone number on the form matters. The insurer then accepts, denies, or asks for more information.
If the insurer accepts the claim, you typically begin receiving medical care and, if you are out more than seven days, wage-replacement checks. If the insurer denies the claim or stalls, your next step is usually to request a hearing by filing a Form 33, the Request that Claim be Assigned for Hearing. Filing your Form 18 first is what preserves your right to take that step.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has stalled or sunk real claims. Read them as a final safety check before you file.
- Missing the two-year deadline. Filing after two years from the injury date can bar your claim entirely under N.C.G.S. § 97-24.
- Skipping the 30-day employer notice. Failing to give your employer written notice within 30 days under N.C.G.S. § 97-22 can let the insurer fight your right to benefits.
- Letting the employer’s Form 19 stand in for your Form 18. The Form 19 does not satisfy your duty to file, so a missing Form 18 leaves your claim unprotected.
- Leaving the required injury date blank. A blank date can void the form and force a refiling that may now be late.
- Writing a vague “how it occurred” description. A story with no accident or specific traumatic incident invites an outright denial.
- Naming only one body part. Omitting an injured part can let the insurer refuse treatment for the parts you left off.
- Reporting take-home pay instead of gross wages. A low wage figure shrinks your weekly benefit for the entire claim.
- Guessing the insurance carrier. A wrong insurer routes your claim to a company with no record of you, causing a denial.
- Using the brand name instead of the legal employer name. This can send the claim to the wrong company and waste weeks.
- Forgetting to sign, date, or check the role box. An unsigned or undated form is not a valid claim and may be returned.
- Listing an old address. You may never receive the acknowledgement letter or your file number, and miss later deadlines.
- Filing without keeping proof. With no dated proof, you cannot show the form was filed on time if the date is later disputed.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules capture the habits that keep a Form 18 claim healthy.
Do:
- Do file your own Form 18 even if your employer is paying you, because only your filing protects your legal claim.
- Do name every injured body part, since parts you list now are far easier to get treated later.
- Do write a specific accident story, because the law often requires an event or specific traumatic incident to cover the injury.
- Do report gross weekly wages with overtime, so your benefit rate is calculated fairly.
- Do keep dated proof of filing, because it is your evidence the form was timely.
- Do file well before the two-year deadline, since early filing leaves room to fix any errors.
Don’t:
- Don’t wait past 30 days to notify your employer, because late notice gives the insurer an argument to deny you.
- Don’t guess at the insurance carrier, since a wrong guess misroutes the claim; leave it blank instead.
- Don’t use a nickname or wrong Social Security number, because mismatches trigger processing holds.
- Don’t leave the injury date or description blank, as these two fields decide whether your claim survives.
- Don’t assume the Form 19 covers you, because it does not satisfy your filing duty.
- Don’t mail the only copy you have, since you must keep one signed copy for your records.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many workers can file Form 18 alone, but some cases call for a lawyer. Here is an honest look at both sides.
Pros of filing on your own:
- It costs nothing, because the Commission charges no fee to file a Form 18.
- It is fast, since you can email the form the same day you finish it.
- It keeps you in control of your own timeline and information.
- The form is short, at one usable page with a built-in instruction sheet.
- The Commission helps, through its Helpline at (800) 688-8349 for filing questions.
Cons of filing on your own:
- A weak injury description can sink the claim, and you may not know what the law requires.
- You might undercount wages or days, which lowers your benefits.
- Denied claims get complex fast, because a Form 33 hearing involves legal argument.
- Insurers may dispute body parts you did not list precisely.
- You carry the deadline risk alone, with no one double-checking the dates.
A practical middle path exists: file the Form 18 yourself to lock in your deadline, then consult a North Carolina workers’ comp attorney if the claim is denied, the injury is severe, or a death benefit is involved. Filing early protects your rights while you decide whether to bring in help.
FAQs
What does a Form 18 do?
Yes — it is the form that creates your legal workers’ comp claim when filed within two years, and gives your employer notice when a copy reaches them within 30 days.
Do I have to file Form 18 if my employer already filed a Form 19?
Yes — you must still file your own Form 18, because the employer’s Form 19 does not satisfy your obligation to file a claim and protect your rights.
What numbers do I write in the upper right corner (I.C. File #)?
No — you usually write nothing there; the Commission assigns the I.C. File Number, and the Emp. Code # and Carrier Code # are for internal use only.
Do I write the insurance carrier if I do not know it?
No — you may leave the carrier and policy lines blank, ask your employer, or call the Commission’s Claims Section, and your form is still valid.
When counting days out of work, do I count partial days?
Yes — you include partial as well as whole calendar days, and the days do not need to be consecutive to count.
Do I write my gross wage or my take-home pay in the weekly wage box?
Yes — use your gross weekly wage before taxes, including overtime, because that figure sets your benefit rate for the whole claim.
Can someone else sign the form for me?
Yes — if your injury keeps you from signing, another person may sign for you, and a representative or dependent can complete the signature block.
Do I list every body part or just the main one in the injury box?
Yes — list every body part affected, because parts you leave off the description can later be disputed by the insurer.
Is the date of injury really required?
Yes — the date is required and starts your two-year deadline, so a blank or wrong date can void the form or make a timely claim look barred.
Is there a fee to file Form 18?
No — the Industrial Commission charges no fee to file a Form 18 by email, by mail, or through the electronic portal.
Can I file Form 18 by email?
Yes — employees can email the signed form to forms@ic.nc.gov, and you should save the sent message as proof of filing.
Should I use Form 18 for an occupational disease?
Yes — Form 18 covers most occupational diseases, but you must use Form 18B for asbestosis, silicosis, and byssinosis instead.
What if I miss the 30-day notice to my employer?
No — missing the 30-day written notice does not always end your claim, but it gives the insurer grounds to challenge it, so act fast.
Do I file page 2 of the form?
No — page 2 is the Commission’s General Information sheet for your reference, and you file only the completed page 1.
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