On June 22, 2026, Governor Stein signed House Bill 315 into law. This new law increases the weekly minimum compensation rate set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-29 and payments for certain permanent impairment set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31. Specifically, the new provisions are as follows:
- N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-29 is amended to increase the minimum weekly compensation rate from $30.00 per week to $50.00 per week.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31(21) is amended to increase the maximum payment for serious facial or head disfigurement from $20,000.00 to $40,000.00.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31(22) is amended to increase the payment for serious bodily disfigurement from $10,000.00 to $20,000.00. Additionally, the statute is amended to provide payment for serious bodily disfigurement where there may be a rational connection to employability or earning capacity (emphasis added). This new language suggests that injured workers will have to show that disfigurement or scarring on a part of the body other than the face or head has an impact on their employability to be entitled to benefits.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31(24) is amended to increase the payment for loss of or permanent injury to any important external or internal organ from $20,000.00 to $40.000.00.
- These changes become effective July 1, 2027, and apply to claims arising on or after that date.
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