Short Answer

In North Carolina, the workers’ compensation insurer has a statutory lien on your third-party settlement. To confirm full reimbursement, get a written, final lien amount from the comp carrier, reconcile it with what was paid, account for the carrier’s pro-rata share of your attorney’s fees and costs, pay the lien from your trust account, and obtain a written lien satisfaction. If there’s a dispute or you seek a reduction, get a Superior Court order before disbursing funds.

Understanding the Problem

You want to close a North Carolina personal injury settlement, but workers’ compensation paid benefits. Can you ensure the comp insurer is fully reimbursed so you can safely disburse settlement funds? Here, your attorney has requested the insurer’s lien. The key is verifying the final lien amount in writing, paying the correct sum, and documenting satisfaction before you release any money.

Apply the Law

Under North Carolina law, a workers’ compensation insurer has a statutory lien on any recovery you obtain from a negligent third party. The lien typically covers indemnity (wage loss) and medical compensation the insurer paid, subject to a credit for its share of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the settlement. The Superior Court can decide allocation issues and may reduce the lien in the interests of justice. The forum, if needed, is the Superior Court where the third-party case is pending; address any lien dispute before disbursement.

Key Requirements

• Identify the lien holder and scope: Confirm the correct employer/carrier or administrator and which payments (medical, indemnity, rehab) are included.
• Obtain a final lien statement in writing: Request a current, itemized payoff showing dates and categories of benefits paid to the claimant or providers.
• Apply fee/cost credits: Calculate and disclose the carrier’s pro-rata share of your attorney’s fees and costs before paying the lien.
• Resolve disputes or reductions properly: If you need a reduction or the parties disagree, seek a consent resolution or a Superior Court order before funds are released.
• Document payment and satisfaction: Pay the carrier from trust, keep proof of delivery, and obtain a written lien satisfaction/release for your file.

What the Statutes Say

• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 97-10.2 (Third-party actions; lien) - Establishes the workers’ comp carrier’s lien on third-party recoveries and allows Superior Court allocation/reduction.
• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical liens) - Recognizes provider liens on injury recoveries; helpful to avoid duplicate payments when comp already paid providers.
• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 44-50 (Order of payment; attorneys’ fees) - Addresses payment priority and reasonable attorneys’ fees from the recovery.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because workers’ comp paid your benefits, the carrier has a lien on your third-party settlement. Your attorney should secure a final, itemized lien letter, then apply the carrier’s pro-rata share of fees/costs and confirm no unpaid comp-covered bills remain. If the carrier agrees to the amount, pay it from trust and obtain a written satisfaction. If there’s disagreement or a reduction request, seek a consent order or ask the Superior Court to decide before disbursing.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: Injured person’s attorney. Where: Superior Court in the county where the third-party case is pending (if court involvement is needed). What: Request a final lien statement from the workers’ comp carrier; if contested, file a motion for allocation/reduction under the workers’ comp lien statute. When: Do this before any settlement disbursement.
2. Reconcile the lien: compare the carrier’s itemization to known payments; apply fee/cost credits; circulate a proposed disbursement and obtain written consent from the carrier or a court order.
3. Disburse and document: issue a trust check to the carrier, get a lien satisfaction/release in writing, and retain proof of payment and correspondence in the file.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Late-added bills: Ask the carrier to confirm through a specific date that no additional comp-paid bills will be added to the lien.
• Duplicate claims: If comp paid providers, confirm no separate provider liens remain; avoid double payment by matching provider bills to the carrier’s ledger.
• Wrong payee: Verify the correct legal name and address of the carrier or administrator for the check and satisfaction letter.
• Unresolved reductions: If you seek a lien reduction, obtain a written agreement or a Superior Court order before disbursing.
• Recordkeeping gaps: Keep the final lien letter, closing statement, proof of payment, and the carrier’s lien satisfaction in your file.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re finalizing a settlement and need to resolve a North Carolina workers’ comp lien, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Call us today at 919-341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.