NC Workers Compensation Form 63: What Employees and Employers Need to Know

Why NC Workers Compensation Form 63 Matters

North Carolina Form 63 is the official notice of accident that an employee must submit to the North Carolina Industrial Commission after a workplace injury. Without a timely, properly completed Form 63, an employee risks losing the right to collect benefits. Employers and insurers rely on this form to open a claim file, so accuracy at the moment of filing shapes every decision that follows.

The form captures the core facts of an incident: when and where it happened, what body parts were injured, and whether medical treatment was received. It does not replace a full medical evaluation or a formal claim for compensation, but it is the procedural starting point that preserves legal rights under the state's workers' compensation framework.

Who Must File Form 63 and When

Any employee who suffers a personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment should file Form 63. The filing deadline is strict: the notice must reach the North Carolina Industrial Commission within two years of the date of the accident or the last date of exposure to a harmful condition. For occupational diseases, the two-year clock starts from the date the employee knew or should have known the condition was work-related.

Employers also have a role. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22, they must carry workers' compensation insurance and notify their carrier promptly after learning of an injury. While the employer's internal reporting does not substitute for a Form 63, failing to file it is the single most common reason employees lose their claim.

Required Information on Form 63

The form collects specific details to establish a record. Key fields include:

• Employee's full legal name, address, and date of birth
• Employer's name and mailing address
• Date, time, and location of the accident
• A plain-language description of how the injury occurred
• Body parts injured and whether the employee lost time from work or earned less than their regular pay
• Name and address of the treating physician, if any
• Whether the employee has filed a previous claim for the same injury

Incomplete or vague answers can delay or derail a claim. For example, writing "hurt my back lifting" instead of specifying the exact movement, weight, and location of the pain gives the insurer grounds to question the compensability of the injury.

Common Filing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Sofia Martínez, an audience growth correspondent who covers workplace compliance topics, has observed several recurring errors that weaken Form 63 submissions:

• Missing the two-year deadline. The Commission strictly enforces this limit, and late notices are routinely dismissed.
• Relying only on verbal notice. Telling a supervisor is not enough unless the employer formally forwards the information to the Commission, which is rare.
• Omitting the employer's full legal name. Using a trade name or abbreviation creates matching problems in the Commission's database.
• Leaving sections blank. If a field does not apply, write "N/A" rather than skipping it.
• Inconsistent dates. The accident date on Form 63 must match dates given to medical providers; discrepancies invite scrutiny.

To avoid these pitfalls, complete the form as soon as possible after the injury, keep a copy for your records, and send it by a trackable method. The Commission accepts mailed and electronically filed notices, but proof of delivery is critical.

What Happens After Form 63 Is Filed

Once the Commission receives Form 63, it assigns a claim number and forwards a copy to the employer's insurance carrier. The insurer then investigates the claim, which may include reviewing medical records, interviewing witnesses, and evaluating whether the injury is compensable under North Carolina law.

If the claim is accepted, the employee becomes eligible for medical benefits, temporary total disability payments, and, where applicable, permanent disability ratings. If the claim is denied, the employee has the right to request a hearing before the Commission. A well-documented Form 63 strengthens the employee's position at that stage because it establishes the earliest official record of the injury.

Form 63 and the Broader Claim Process

Form 63 is not the same as a formal Form 18 claim for compensation. Filing Form 63 preserves the right to file Form 18 later, but it does not itself open a compensation case. Employees who need wage replacement or extended medical treatment must file Form 18 within the applicable statutory period, typically two years from the date of the last compensable event.

Employers should track Form 63 submissions closely. A prompt internal review allows the employer to arrange light-duty work, authorize medical treatment early, and avoid penalty payments that arise from delayed claim handling. Insurers, in turn, use the form to begin their investigation and respond to the Commission within the required timeframes.

Where to Obtain and Submit Form 63

The North Carolina Industrial Commission publishes Form 63 on its official website. It is available as a fillable PDF, which can be completed electronically and submitted online or printed and mailed. There is no fee to file. For employees who need assistance completing the form, legal aid organizations and the Commission's public information office can provide guidance, though they cannot give legal advice on the merits of a specific claim.

Keeping a stamped copy of the mailed or filed Form 63 and noting the date and method of submission protects the employee if a dispute later arises about whether the notice was timely.