WC Essentials: What is the NC Industrial Commission?

The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1929 to administer and enforce the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. In 1949, its authority was expanded to also administer the Tort Claims Act (claims against the state for civil wrongdoing). The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) currently processes...

The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) currently processes Workers’ Compensation (also known as Workman’s Comp claims, Workmen’s Comp claims, Workers Comp claims, Workers’ Comp claims, or even simply WC claims) for the State of North Carolina. This includes administrative and evidential hearings before judges known as Special Deputy Commissioners, the Executive Secretary, Deputy Commissioners and Commissioners. This also includes sending cases to mediated settlement conferences, processing motions, handling appeals, and other such work in administering claims under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.

The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) is governed by a chairperson and six commissioners. Contested Workers’ Compensation claims are initially heard for evidentiary hearings by Deputy Commissioners at the county level. Medical motions and other motions, such as form 24’s, are heard by Special Deputy Commissioners in Raleigh, NC. The Full Commission (six commissioners and the chair) typically hears cases when a Deputy Commissioner’s ruling is appealed by one or both parties. Both employers and employees have the right to appeal decisions made by the Full North Carolina Industrial Commission to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, followed by the North Carolina Supreme Court, under certain circumstances.

Information on this page is not intended as a substitute for a medical evaluation by a qualified provider or consult with an experienced North Carolina Workers’ Compensation attorney.