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Vernon Sumwalt - Charlotte, NC

Post Office Box 31424 Charlotte, NC 28231

The Sumwalt Group Workers' Comp and Trial Lawyers

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Updated: 01/09/2025
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Charlotte Workers' Compensation Lawyer

Overview

Vernon Sumwalt has handled approximately 300 workers' compensation hearings, 120 appeals--mostly from cases he has tried--and many other cases before juries and our courts of general jurisdiction in both North Carolina and South Carolina. He is a Past President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers) and has taught 145 state and national classes for lawyers and other professionals. He has also written over 55 books, chapters, and articles on different aspects of workers' compensation and trial law.

Since 2005, Vernon has been a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in the area of Workers' Compensation Law. In 2014, the North Carolina State Bar also certified him as a Specialist in Appellate Practice.

About Vernon Sumwalt

Practice Areas

  • Workers' Compensation
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Industrial Injuries and Deaths
  • Appeals
  • Social Security Disability

Litigation

  • 100%

Qualifications

Bar Admissions

  • North Carolina, 1998
  • South Carolina, 1998
  • United States Supreme Court, 2017
  • U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, 2017
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1999
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 2017
  • U.S. District Court District of South Carolina, 1998
  • U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina, 1998
  • U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina, 2005
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 2015

Specialties and Certifications

  • Workers' Compensation Law, North Carolina State Bar, 2005
  • Appellate Practice, North Carolina State Bar, 2014

Other Affiliations

  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers) (Past President (2020-2021), President (2019-2020))
  • North Carolina Bar Association (Workers' Compensation Section (1998-present))
  • North Carolina Industrial Commission (Informal Advisory Council (2013))
  • Board of Law Examiners of the State of North Carolina (Chair of the Uniform Bar Exam Drafting Subcommittee for Workers’ Compensation (2017-2019) )
  • North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization (Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Specialization Committee (2014-2017))
  • South Carolina Association for Justice (formerly the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association) (Member (1998-present))
  • American Association for Justice (formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association) (Member (1998-present))
  • Kids Chance of North Carolina, Inc. (Board of Directors (2009-2012))
  • Workplace Injury Litigation Group
  • South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, 2019 - 2021
  • North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization (Member of the Appellate Practice Specialization Exam Committee (2022-present))

Education

  • University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina, May, 1998
    Juris Doctor
  • University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, May, 1994
    B.A., Bachelor of Arts
    Honors: magna cum laude

Past Positions

  • The Sumwalt Group, Lawyer (2020-present) Charlotte, North Carolina
  • The Sumwalt Law Firm, Lawyer (2000-2020) Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Suggs & Kelly, PA, Lawyer (1998-2000) Law Clerk (1996-1998) Columbia, South Carolina

Classes and Seminars

  • UPCOMING: Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workplace Torts and Workers' Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 2, 2022).
  • “Everyone Has to Stand in Line Once in a While—Statutory Liens,” It Takes More Than a Threatening Letter to Settle the Claim (South Carolina Bar, October 27, 2000).
  • Practical Legal Ethics in North Carolina: Issues and Answers (National Business Institute, February 21, 2001).
  • “The In’s and Out’s of Workers’ Comp Practice (Overview of Statutory Benefits),” Practical Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, August 23-24, 2001).
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, May 3, 2002).
  • “The In’s and Out’s of a Workers’ Comp Practice (Overview of Statutory Benefits),” You’ve Passed the Bar... Now What?—Practical Trial Skills (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 5-6, 2002).
  • “Statutory Liens,” 2002 South Carolina Automobile Insurance Update (South Carolina Bar, October 25, 2002).
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, November 19, 2002).
  • “Medicare, Medicare, and More Medicare (Or, Things that Go ‘Bump’ in Your Workers’ Compensation Case),” Workers’ Compensation: Unraveling the Mystery/ 8th Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Annual Meeting (North Carolina Bar Association, February 21-22, 2003) (paper only).
  • “Ethical Issues Related to Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Personal Injury Litigation,” Legal Ethics in North Carolina (Lorman Educational Services, February 21, 2003).
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, May 16, 2003).
  • “Legal Ethics for Legal Assistants,” Basics of Legal Assisting in North Carolina (Half-Moon Seminars, April 25, 2003).
  • “Where Am I and Where Do I File the Claim? Comparing Other Jurisdictions—North Carolina,” South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: Take It From the Top (South Carolina Bar, May 30, 2003).
  • “Knight, Willey, Arp, and More: How Should We Change our Practices?” North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Convention 2003 (June 17, 2003).
  • “A Continuation of the Medicare Forum and Its Impact on the Workers’ Compensation System,” Workers’ Compensation Committee Program (American Bar Association Section of Labor & Employment Law, August 11, 2003) (paper only).
  • “The In’s and Out’s of a Workers’ Comp Practice (Overview of Statutory Benefits),” Practical Trial Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 12, 2003).
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, November 3, 2003).
  • “Current Status of Credits under G.S. § 97-47,” 10th Annual Workplace Torts & Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 5, 2003).
  • “Medicare, HIPAA, and Other Things You Don’t Find in Chapter 97,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Workplace / 9th Annual Workers’ Compensation Meeting (North Carolina Bar Association, February 20-21, 2004) (paper only).
  • “Defending Workers’ Compensation Claims in North Carolina: A View from Both the Claimants’ and Defense Attorneys (Claimants’ Perspective),” North Carolina Workers’ Comp Update 2004 (Council on Education and Management, May 4, 2004).
  • Handling a Social Security Case in North Carolina (National Business Institute, July 19, 2004).
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, August 31, 2004).
  • “Woody: Where to Go From Here? (The Plaintiff’s Perspective),” Workers’ Compensation 2005: Navigating the Workplace Maze—10th Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Meeting (North Carolina Bar Association, February 18, 2005).
  • “CMS and Medicare Set-Asides and Allocations: Where Do We Stand Now?” 10th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 4, 2005).
  • “Medicare Set-Asides for Personal Injury Cases, “ NCATL Convention 2005 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, June 21, 2005).
  • Getting Maximum Benefits for Your Social Security Disability Clients in North Carolina (National Business Institute, July 13, 2005).
  • “The In’s and Out’s of a Workers’ Comp Practice,” Practical Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 15, 2005).
  • “Interplay Between Benefits—Workers’ Comp, Social Security Disability, Medicare, Long-Term Disability, Unemployment Compensation, and Average Weekly Wage,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (Sterling Education Service, November 15, 2005).
  • “Workers’ Comp Liens—N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-10.2 Update,” 12th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 2, 2005).
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, December 12, 2005).
  • “Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation,” Disbursements 2006 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, January 20, 2006).
  • “Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation,” Disbursements 2006 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, February 24, 2006).
  • “Proving Causation in Injury Cases,” Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 3, 2006).
  • North Carolina Workers’ Comp Update 2006 (Council on Education and Management, August 16, 2006).
  • “Concurrent Receipt of Workers’ Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare Benefits,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation (Sterling Education Services, September 26, 2006).
  • “(1) Preparing for the Pre-Hearing Conference and (2) Calculation of Compensation Ratings and Settlements,” Workers’ Compensation Hearings: Techniques and Strategies for Success (National Business Institute, October 19, 2006).
  • “Medicare Panel with Q&A,” 13th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Comp (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 1, 2006).
  • Moderator and Program Planner, The Devil is in the Details: Hot Topics in Workers’ Compensation Law (North Carolina Bar Association, February 16-17, 2007).
  • “Drafting Opinions and Awards that Will Survive on Appeal,” Workers’ Comp Roundtable 2007 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 16, 2007).
  • Workers’ Compensation Law Update (National Business Institute, October 4, 2007).
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Set-Asides,” A is for Accident: A Workers’ Compensation Primer (North Carolina Bar Association, October 5, 2007).
  • “Ethical Contacts with Treating Physicians and Other Parties in Workers’ Compensation Claims,” 12th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 10, 2007).
  • Handling a Social Security Disability Case (National Business Institute, October 11, 2007).
  • “The Workers’ Compensation Claim” and “Interplay Between Benefits—Workers’ Comp, Social Security Disability, UC, Medicare, Long-Term Disability,” Fundamentals of Workers’ Compensation (Sterling Education Services, Inc., October 16, 2007).
  • “Medicare Panel and Questions” and “Workers’ Compensation Liens—97-10.2 Update,” 14th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Comp (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 7, 2007).
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation (National Business Institute, December 12, 2007).
  • Moderator and Program Planner, Getting Ahead of the “Comp”etition: Key Issues in Workers’ Compensation Law (North Carolina Bar Association, February 15-16, 2008).
  • “Calculating Compensatory Earnings and the Interplay Between Benefits: Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with Other Benefits,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation (Sterling Education Services, Inc., March 4, 2008).
  • “Settlement Demands, Future Medicals, and Attendant Care,” 13th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 7, 2008).
  • “Reimbursement Claims in Workers’ Compensation Cases,” Liens, Liens, and More Liens: Resolving Claims of Subrogation and Reimbursement 2008 (South Carolina Bar, May 2, 2008).
  • “Social Security/Medicare Issues,” Dissecting a Workers’ Compensation Case (South Carolina Bar, September 5, 2008).
  • Workers’ Compensation Update (National Business Institute, October 1, 2008).
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Set Asides,” Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, October 17, 2008).
  • “Exclusive Remedy is Not the Only Game in Town: How to Maximize Recoveries in Workers’ Compensation Cases,” Injured Workers’ Advocates 26th Annual Convention (South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, November 6-8, 2008).
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation (National Business Institute, December 10, 2008).
  • “Sources of Coverage (Workers’ Compensation),” Sources of Coverage: Exploring the “Maze” of Insurance Law (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 15, 2009).
  • “Evidence-Based Medicine,” 14th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 6, 2009).
  • “Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with (1) Social Security Disability, (2) Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, (3) Unemployment, and (4) Medicare,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (Sterling Education Services, Inc., June 16, 2009).
  • Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with (1) Social Security Disability, (2) Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, (3) Unemployment, and (4) Medicare (National Business Institute, September 11, 2009).
  • “Workers’ Compensation,” Beyond the Elements II: South Carolina Damages from A to Z (South Carolina Bar, September 25, 2009).
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens & Set Asides,” 2009 Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, October 2, 2009).
  • “Let’s Talk Rehab (Plaintiff’s Perspective),” 14th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 8, 2009).
  • Workers’ Compensation Law Update (National Business Institute, October 13, 2009).
  • “Medicare Set-Asides and the Motor Vehicle Case—What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You,” The 2009 South Carolina Automobile Update (South Carolina Bar, October 23, 2009).
  • “Handling Family Law Issues under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act—Alimony, Child Support, and Equitable Distribution,” 16th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 4, 2009).
  • Breakout Moderator, 15th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 5, 2010).
  • “Workers’ Compensation Belli Nuggets—Ten ‘Do and Don’t’ Tips for Trying Attendant Care Cases,” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 22, 2010).
  • “Coordination of Workers’ Compensation With Social Security Disability,” Handling a Social Security Disability Case (National Business Institute, July 22, 2010).
  • “Coordination of Workers’ Compensation Benefits with Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability, Unemployment Compensation, and Medicare,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation (National Business Institute, September 14, 2010).
  • “Allocation of Third Party Proceeds,” “Tips for Successfully Negotiating a Settlement (for Both Sides),” “ERISA and Medicare Interplay with Workers’ Compensation—Who Pays Medical Claims?” Workers’ Compensation Subrogation (National Business Institute, September 16, 2010).
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens & Set Asides,” Accidents Happen—2010 Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, October 1, 2010) (Seminar Planner).
  • “The Language of Mediate Settlement Agreements and Clinchers: Protecting Your Clients (Belli Nugget Presentation),” Mountain Magic (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 16, 2010).
  • “Client Intake in Workers’ Compensation Cases,” 2010 Convention (South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, November 6, 2010).
  • Medicare Panel, Workplace Torts & Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 3, 2010).
  • “Effective Methods for Claim Resolution,” “Overcoming Common Ethical Hurdles Faced by Workers’ Compensation Attorneys,” and “Overcoming Post-Resolution Challenges,” Workers’ Comp Law Update (National Business Institute, December 13, 2010).
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, Occupational Diseases (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 28, 2011).
  • “The Dangers of Confidentiality Agreements” and “Properly Drafting Social Security Disability Offset Language (panel member),” Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 4, 2011),
  • Convention 2011 (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 18-22, 2011) (Convention Co-Chair) (moderated “Greatest Wins” and “Greatest Losses” presentations and introduced Keynote Speaker Erin Brockovich).
  • “Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation,” 16th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 19, 2011).
  • “Practice Tips for Dealing with the New Law in Existing Cases” and “Evaluating Claims Arising on or after 6-24-2011,” Roundtable on 2011 Changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 28, 2011).
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Medicare Set Asides,” Workplace Injuries and Conditions: 2011 Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, November 10, 2011).
  • “Ramifications of the Year’s Most Important Appellate Court Decisions (panel discussion),” 18th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 2, 2011).
  • 17th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 2, 2012) (Program Chair).
  • “Workers’ Comp: Legislative Update and How this New Legislation Affects Paralegals,” Spring Seminar for Paralegals (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 14, 2012).
  • Convention Co-Chair, NCAJ Convention 2012 (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 16-20, 2012) (also presented “Attendant Care” section of workers’ compensation case law review on June 19, 2012).
  • “What’s New in Social Security Disability and Medicare,” The Law of Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina—2012 Update (South Carolina Bar, September 21, 2012).
  • “Introduction to Workers’ Compensation Law” and “Evaluating a Claim for Representation,” Learning the Ropes—Workers’ Compensation Basics (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 5, 2012).
  • Case Law Update, 17th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (N.C. Industrial Commission, October 12, 2012) (presented with Bruce Hamilton).
  • Panel Discussion: Ramifications of the Year’s Most Important Appellant Court Decisions, Workplace Torts & Workers’ Comp (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 7, 2012).
  • New Workers’ Comp Rules, 18th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, April 12, 2013).
  • “Update on the Industrial Commission’s Rulemaking Under the Administrative Procedures Act” and “Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update,” NCAJ Convention, including the Summer Conference for Paralegals (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 15 and 16, 2013).
  • “North Carolina Case Law Update,” 18th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 11, 2013) (presented with Bruce Hamilton).
  • “Proving Your Workers’ Comp Case: Tips on Disability,” Mountain Magic (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 19, 2013) (discussed Medlin case in presentation).
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 15, 2014) (with Jay Gervasi, Stewart Poisson, and Richard Harper).
  • “Case Law Update,” 2014 North Carolina Educational Conference (N.C. Industrial Commission, October 10, 2014) (presented with Bruce Hamilton).
  • “Workers’ Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid,” 22nd Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo (Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 20, 2014) (presented with Jennifer Jordan and Tim Nay).
  • New Industrial Commission Rules and Their Impact on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Cases, Mecklenburg County Bar (Charlotte, North Carolina, February 24, 2015).
  • “So You Filed Your Notice of Appeal… Now What?” 20th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Raleigh, North Carolina, March 6, 2015).
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 14, 2015) (with Jay Gervasi, Richard Harper, and Stewart Poisson).
  • “Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference (October 16, 2015) (Raleigh, North Carolina) (with Bruce Hamilton).
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 4, 2015).
  • “Personal Injury Protection” and “Statutory Liens,” 2015 South Carolina Automobile Insurance Law Update (South Carolina Bar, Columbia, South Carolina, December 18, 2015).
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 21, 2016) (with Jay Gervasi, Richard Harper, and Stewart Poisson).
  • “Attorney Sparring (Plaintiff’s Perspective),” 2016 Southeastern RIMS Conference (Asheville, North Carolina, September 27, 2016).
  • "Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference (October 7, 2016) (Raleigh, North Carolina) (with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Fall Conference for Paralegals,” Mountain Magic (North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Asheville, North Carolina, October 14, 2016).
  • “Differences between Workers’ Compensation in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina,” South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates Convention (Asheville, North Carolina, November 5, 2016).
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, scheduled for December 2, 2016)
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2017) (with Jay Gervasi, Richard Harper, and Stewart Poisson).
  • “North Carolina Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (October 6, 2017) (Raleigh, North Carolina) (with Bruce Hamilton).
  • Moderator, “Spotting a Class Action and Taking Action,” North Carolina Advocates for Justice (October 25, 2017) (Raleigh, North Carolina).
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 1, 2017).
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (with Jay Gervasi, Annemarie Pantazis, and Stewart Poisson).
  • “Case Law Update,” 23rd Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 12, 2018) (with Bruce Hamilton).
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 7, 2018).
  • With Professor Lee Peoples (Okla. City Univ. Sch. of Law), “Overview of Changes Proposed by the Restatement 3rd and Introduction to Negligence: Purpose, Elements & Evidence,” Civil Masters in Advocacy (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Greensboro, North Carolina, April 5, 2019).
  • “Workers’ Compensation Appellate Case Update,” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 20, 2019, Wilmington, North Carolina) (with Jay Gervasi and Stewart Poisson).
  • “Top 10 Issues Between Workers’ Compensation and Social Security,” South Carolina Advocates for Justice Convention 2019 (South Carolina Advocates for Justice, August 1-3, 3019).
  • With Jon Moore. Trial Skills: Focus Groups. North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 26, 2019) (substituted for William Goldfarb).
  • Panel discussion with Grady Beard, Marti Bluestein, Shannon Till Poteat, Allison Sullivan, Derrick Williams, “The One Thing I Wish I Knew,” Workers’ Comp Practice Tips from the Pros, South Carolina Bar (Columbia, South Carolina, October 3, 2019)
  • With Bruce Hamilton. “Case Law Update,” 24th Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 4, 2019).
  • Workers’ Compensation Breakout Sessions (North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law), Atlantic Coast Labor Management Conference (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, October 17, 2019).
  • Panel discussion, “Preparing and Taking Doctors’ Depositions,” South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates Annual Convention (Asheville, North Carolina, November 9, 2019).
  • “Workers’ Compensation,” Blue Ridge Safety Council (Shelby, North Carolina, December 5, 2019).
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update”, Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 6, 2019).
  • With Richard Harper, Jerri Simmons, and Jeff Kadis. “Panel Discussion: Extended Compensation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29(c).” Let’s Just All Agree to Disagree: 2019 Workers’ Compensation Annual Mtg. (North Carolina Bar Association) (Greensboro, North Carolina, February 7, 2020).
  • “Uncompromising the Great Compromise of Workers’ Compensation—New Routes Around the Exclusive Remedy Doctrine,” Southern Trial Lawyers Association Convention (New Orleans, Louisiana, February 24, 2020).
  • "SSDI Offsets, How to Solve Non-Recognition Problems at SSA," Quirky Issues 2020 (N.C. Advocates for Justice, Virtual CLE in North Carolina, September 18, 2020).
  • "Case Law Update" (with Bruce Hamilton), North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference (Virtual Conference, October 16, 2020).
  • Moderator and Presenter, "Appellate Case Law Update," Workplace Torts & Workers' Compensation (N.C. Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 4, 2020).
  • “Handling a Workers’ Compensation Claim when Third-Party Liability is Involved: Issues that Can and Will Arise,” 2020 Paralegal Fall Conference (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 9, 2020).
  • “Legal and Evidentiary Standards of Disability (Are There Any Presumptions Left?),” 26th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Virtual Conference in North Carolina, April 9, 2021).
  • With Jay Gervasi. Workers' Compensation Appellate Case Update, 2021 Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 10, 2021, virtual presentation)
  • With Heidi Chapman. “When Death Claims Don’t Die.” Workers’ Compensation 2021: Quirky Issues in Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Virtual CLE, September 10, 2021).
  • With Bruce Hamilton. “Case Law Update.” North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 8, 2021).
  • With Paul McCoy. “Challenges Faced on Both Sides of a Claim.” The Basics of Workers’ Compensation Law: 2021 Workers’ Compensation Fall Program (North Carolina Bar Association, virtual presentation, November 5, 2021).
  • Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (virtual presentation on December 3, 2021).
  • With Jay Gervasi. "Workers' Compensation Update." 2022 Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 17, 2022) (Charlotte, North Carolina).
  • With Bruce Hamilton. "Case Law Update and JeoParody!" North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 14, 2022).

Achievements

Other Sources of Feedback About Vernon Sumwalt

Included on the 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers list


Past Lists

  • 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2020 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2012 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2011 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2010 North Carolina Super Lawyers list
  • 2009 North Carolina Super Lawyers list

View the profile for Vernon Sumwalt on Super Lawyers

Honors

  • Lawyers Weekly’s “2022 Power List—Workers’ Compensation” (March 2022)
  • Fellow, National College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (2019 – present)
  • Silver Award for Workers' Compensation Lawyers by Charlotte's Best (The Charlotte Observer, 2022) https://issuu.com/neruspublications/docs/2022cb_flipbook at pp 54-55)
  • U.S. News--Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" for The Sumwalt Group (2020-2023)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers (www.superlawyers.com) in the field of workers’ compensation (2009 as a “Rising Star” and 2010 – present)
  • Top Attorneys in North Carolina, Charlotte Magazine (2011-present). • Top 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2015 and 2016 (through Super Lawyers) • Top 100 in North Carolina in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021, 2023 (through Super Lawyers)
  • Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation by the North Carolina State Bar (2005 – present) • Workers’ Compensation Specialization Exam Committee (2010 – 2017, Vice Chair 2012 – 2014, Chair 2014-2017)
  • Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice by the North Carolina State Bar (2014-present) • Appellate Practice Specialization Exam Committee (2022-2025)
  • LEXIS-NEXIS® Larson’s National Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board (2007- present)
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rated—AV Preeminent (5.0 out of 5.0)
  • James L. Cross Leadership Award (North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2011).
  • Honorary New Lawyer Award (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 2011).
  • Ebbie Award (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 2012).
  • Thirteen (13) Order of Service Awards (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2009-2022)
  • National Academy of Social Insurance (2012 – present)

Photo

Office Information

Address

Post Office Box 31424 Charlotte, NC 28231

Phone

Fax

  • 7045591783

Email

Office Hours

8:00 am to 5:00 pm in our physical office, although we have a virtual practice and will accept electronic correspondence at any hour

Websites

Publication

Articles

  • [UPCOMING FEBRUARY 2023] W. Barnes, A. Cox, G. McGriff, E. Scott-Moise, V. Sumwalt, and H. Wilson, The Law of Automobile Insurance In South Carolina (8th edition, South Carolina Bar (c) 2023).
  • V. Sumwalt, editor and author, Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers’ Compensation (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2022 ed.).
  • V. Johnson and K. Bunn (editors), North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim (LEXIS-NEXIS® 4th ed. 2022) (Chapter 13, “Credits under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act”).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, "President's Column: The Extra Mile--the World is Changing, and So Are We," Trial Briefs (N.C. Advocates for Justice, April 2020).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, "President's Column: Best Lawyers v. Best Lawyering," Trial Briefs (N.C. Advocates for Justice, January 2020).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “President’s Column: Music Lessons (and the Legend of Ben Folds),” Trial Briefs (N.C. Advocates for Justice, October 2019).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “President’s Column: Our Time to Take Back the Courtroom,” North Carolina Advocates for Justice blog (www.ncadvocatesforjustice.wordpress.com published September 29, 2019).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “President’s Column,” Trial Briefs (N.C. Advocates for Justice, July 2019).
  • Contributing Author, Negligence Policy, Elements, and Evidence: The Role of Foreseeability in the Law of Fifty States (Balloon Press © 2018).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, editor and author, Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers’ Compensation (LEXIS-NEXIS® 1st ed. © 2017, 2nd ed. © 2018, 3rd ed. © 2019, 4th ed. © 2020)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Workers’ Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid,” LexisNexis e-Newsletter Feb. 17, 2015, at http://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/workers-compensation/b/recent-cases-news-trends-developments/archive/2015/02/13/workers-compensation-and-its-secondary-payers-medicare-and-medicaid.aspx.
  • T. Robinson and R. Kobayashi (editors-in-chief), “Commentary on 2013 North Carolina Workers’ Comp Related Legislation,” Workers’ Compensation Emerging Issues Analysis (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2013 ed.).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Workers’ Comp Bills Filed in 2013,” Trial Briefs (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, August 2013).
  • Cammarano and V. Johnson (editors), North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim (LEXIS-NEXIS® 1st ed. 2012, 2nd ed. 2014, 3rd ed. 2016) (contributing author of Chapter 13, “Credits under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act”)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “WCRI's Baseline for Evaluating the Impact of North Carolina's 2011 Reforms: A Measuring Stick That Falls Short,” LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter National Edition vol. 3, issue 9 (February 27, 2012) (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2012).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “It’s Still the Economy, Stupid: Considering the NCCI Research Brief ‘Workers’ Compensation Claims Frequency,’” LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter National Edition vol. 2, issue 41 (October 10, 2011) (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2011).
  • Jennifer C. Jordan (editor-in-chief), The Complete Guide to Medicare Secondary Payor Compliance (LEXIS-NEXIS® Matthew Bender Elite Products © 2011 and annual updates) (wrote the North Carolina sub-chapter § 6.11 for “State Specific WCMSA Requirements”)
  • Vernon Sumwalt (guest editor and contributor), “Off-Label Uses of Medical Products and Services,” LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter National Edition, vol. 2, issue 24 (June 13, 2011) (LEXIS-NEXIS ® © 2011).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Vernon Sumwalt on ‘A Tale of Two Cases’ (Stare Decisis Only Matters Sometimes): Gregory v. W.A. Brown & Sons, 2010 N.C. LEXIS 35,” 2010 Emerging Issues 4912 (March 2010, LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2010).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Vernon Sumwalt on Preapproval and Awards of Retroactive Attendant Care Services: Boylan v. Verizon Wireless, 685 S.E.2d 155 (2009),” 2010 Emerging Issues 4876 (February 2010, LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2010).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “A North Carolina Perspective: Mediation Pros and Cons,” Chronicles (South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Education Association, Winter 2009-2010).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “’Bye Bye Brewington,” Workers’ Compensation Law Community Powered by Larson’s, August 19, 2009 (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2009).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “’Scenes We’d Like to See’ from WCRI’s Medical Benchmark Studies,” Workers’ Compensation Law Center Powered by Larson’s, July 27, 2009 (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2009).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “The Chair’s Comments: Is There a Bailout in Our Future?” The Course & Scope Vol. 22, No. 2 (N.C. Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section, February 2009).
  • J. Ward and E. Westbrook (editors), South Carolina Damages, “Chapter 39: Workers’ Compensation” (S.C. Bar, 2nd ed. 2009) (contributing author of the chapter on workers’ compensation)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “The Chair’s Comments” The Course and Scope Vol. 22, No. 1 (N.C. Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section, November 2008).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Misrepresentation in Contract of Employment: Did North Carolina Decision in Freeman v. Rothrock Go Too Far?” Workers’ Compensation Law Community Powered by Larson’s and Expert Commentary, July 14, 2008 (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2008).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries: Larson Series, Vernon Sumwalt on North Carolina Evaluation of Fringe Benefits in an Employee’s ‘Average Weekly Wage’: Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., ___ N.C. App. ___, 652 S.E.2d 22, 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 2320 (2007), (February 2008, LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2007).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries: Larson Series, Vernon Sumwalt on the Physician-Patient Privilege in Workers’ Compensation Cases Since the Enactment of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-25.6, 2005 N.C. Sess. Law 448, 2005 N.C. H.B. 99, 2005 N.C. ALS 448, at *6,” (November 2007, LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2007).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on Proving Causation of Work-Related Medical Conditions, Legette v. Scotland Memorial Hospital, ___ N.C. App. ___, 640 S.E.2d 744, 2007 N.C. App. 361 (Feb. 6, 2007),” (October 2007, LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2007).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, Membership Profile--Rick Harper, THE COURSE & SCOPE Vol. 21, No. 1 (North Carolina Bar Association 2007).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Proving Causation in Injury Cases,” Trial Briefs (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, April 2006).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, Ten Things Every Workers’ Compensation Attorney Should Know about Medicare, SOUTH CAROLINA TRIAL LAWYER BULLETIN (South Carolina Trial Lawyers, Fall 2004)
  • T. Richardson and D. Haltiwanger (editors), Workers’ Compensation (Chapter 27), SOUTH CAROLINA DAMAGES Vol. 2 (South Carolina Bar, 1st ed. 2004)) (contributing author of chapter on workers’ compensation).
  • Vernon Sumwalt, Revisiting the Workers’ Compensation/Social Security Offset, THE COURSE & SCOPE Vol. 17, No. 1 (North Carolina Bar Association, Nov. 2003).
  • W. Barnes, A. Cox, G. Fuller, E.S. Moise, V. Sumwalt, and C. Wilson, THE LAW OF AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN SOUTH CAROLINA (South Carolina Bar, 4th ed. 2000, 5th ed. 2002, 6th ed. 2009, 7th ed. 2015).
  • B. Maybank, D. Kelly, G. Beard, S. Poteat, and D. Smalls, THE LAW OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA (South Carolina Bar, 2nd edition 1998) (contributing author of the chapters on Social Security/Workers’ Compensation Offset, the State Fund, and Occupational Diseases).
  • P. Stewart and Vernon Sumwalt, A Step-by-Step Approach to the Breast Implant Client’s Social Security Case, SOUTH CAROLINA TRIAL LAWYER BULLETIN (South Carolina Trial Lawyers, Spring 1997), republished in THE ADVOCATE (Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, March/April 1998).

Representative Cases

  • West et al. v. Hoyle’s Tire & Axle, LLC, No. 180PA21 (N.C. Supreme Court) (handled oral arguments on October 3, 2022).
  • Carra Jane Penegar, Executrix of the Estate of Johnny Ray Penegar, Jr., individually and on behalf of others similarly situated v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Verisk Analytics, Inc., and ISO Partners, Inc., No. 22-1940 (U.S. Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals) (wrote appellant's brief).
  • D&B Marine, LLC v. AIG Property Casualty Co., COA No. 22-546 (wrote Appellant's Brief and Reply Brief).
  • Monsam v. Premium Motorsports, IC No. 15-740065 (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed).
  • Betts v. North Carolina Dept. of Health & Human Servs., No. COA 22-324 (wrote Appellant's Brief and Reply Brief, handled oral arguments on November 1, 2022).
  • Peacock v. Panthers Football, LLC and Devin Akeem Funchess, COA No. 22-98 (case settled during appeal in 2022).
  • Sardis Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Inc. v. MidAmerica Productions, Inc., Midam International, Inc., and Peter Tiboris, (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed in 2021).
  • Jenkins v. Wells Fargo Bank, 2022-NCCOA-70, 281 N.C. App. 627, 867 S.E.2d 424 (2002) (unpublished), petition for disc. denied, 381 N.C. 709, 873 S.E.2d 12 (2022).
  • Monroe v. MV Transp., 2022-NCCOA-30, 281 N.C. App. 363, 869 S.E.2d 28 (2022).
  • Keith v. Health Pro Home Care Servs., Inc., 2022-NCSC-72, 381 N.C. 442, 873 S.E.2d 567 (2022) (amicus brief for North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • Cunningham v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2022-NCSC-46, 381 N.C. 10, 871 S.E.2d 724 (2022) (filed May 7, 2022) (amicus brief for North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • Lake et al. v. State Health Plan for Teachers & State Employees et al, 2022-NCSC-22, 380 N.C. 502, 869 S.E.2d 292 (2022) (wrote amicus brief for AARP).
  • Watkins v. Federal Express, IC File No. X98323 (Plaintiff’s Notice of Appeal filed on Nov. 21, 2018, Plaintiff-Appellant’s Brief filed on Feb. 14, 2019, resolved through Consent Order on July 22, 2019, and order dismissing appeal filed on Aug. 7, 2019).
  • Walker v. K&W Cafeterias, 264 N.C. App. 119, 824 S.E.2d 894 (2019) (wrote appellant’s brief and handled oral arguments), rev’d, 375 N.C. 254, 846 S.E.2d 679 (2020) (wrote Appellant’s New Brief and New Reply Brief and handled oral arguments), appeal after remand, 2022-NCCOA-219, 282 N.C. App. 708, 872 S.E.2d 68 (2022), currently on petition for discretionary review to the North Carolina Supreme Court.
  • Pine v. Wal-Mart Assocs., Inc. #1552, 371 N.C. 707, 821 S.E.2d 155 (2018) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • McCleod v. Spectrum Brands, IC File No. 13-748970 (defendants’ Notice of Appeal to Court of Appeals filed on May 18, 2017, and withdrawn after case settled on June 30, 2017).
  • Easter-Rozzelle v. City of Charlotte, 370 N.C. 286, 807 S.E.2d 122 (2017) (oral argument and wrote Appellant’s New Brief).
  • Wilkes v. City of Greenville, 369 N.C. 730, 787 S.E.2d 16 (2016) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • Lewis v. Transit Management of Charlotte, 792 S.E.2d 890, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 1241 (2016) (wrote both appellant’s and appellee’s brief), case settled before petitions for discretionary review and responses to petitions for discretionary review for both sides decided, (dismissed on June 12, 2017).
  • Saunders v. ADP Total Source FI XI, Inc., 249 N.C. App. 361, 791 S.E.2d 466, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 927 (2016) (oral arguments, wrote both appellant’s and appellee’s briefs), petition for discretionary review allowed in part, 2017 N.C. LEXIS 826, 370 N.C. 271, 805 S.E.2d 486 (2017), rev’d, 372 N.C. 29, 822 S.E.2d 857 (2019).
  • Rainey v. City of Charlotte, 785 S.E.2d 766, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 565 (2015), pet. for disc. review denied, 793 S.E.2d 231, 2016 N.C. LEXIS 860 (2016).
  • Farley v. Sygma Network, Inc., IC No. 13-756437 (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed on June 12, 2015).
  • Breath v. OrthoCarolina, 781 S.E.2d 532, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 34 (2016) (unpublished).
  • Alfredson v. Premier Transp. Co. (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed on January 30, 2015).
  • Edwards v. Reddy Ice, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 397 (2016) (unpublished).
  • Heglar v. Commissioners of the N.C. Indus. Comm’n, P14-329 (order filed June 11, 2014) (petition for writ of mandamus).
  • Wells v. Charlotte Mecklenburg Hosp. Auth., 238 N.C. App. 364, 768 S.E.2d 201, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 1371 (2014) (unpublished).
  • Haileab v. John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., 240 N.C. App. 293, 772 S.E.2d 265, 2015 N.C. App. LEXIS 286 (2015) (unpublished) (wrote both appellant’s and appellee’s briefs on behalf of Plaintiff).
  • Gregory v. Pearson, 367 N.C. 315, 754 S.E.2d 416 (2014) (3-3 split) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice), affirming per curiam without precedential value, 224 N.C. App. 580, 736 S.E.2d 577 (2012).
  • Ademovic v. Taxi USA, LLC, 237 N.C. App. 402, 767 S.E.2d 571 (2014) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Medlin v. Weaver Cooke Constr., LLC, 367 N.C. 414, 760 S.E.2d 732 (2014) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • Winston v. Charlotte Observer, IC No. X69037 (appeal withdrawn after defendants’ Notice of Appeal filed on Sept. 13, 2013).
  • Skoff v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 234 N.C. App. 329, 762 S.E.2d 2, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 588 (2014) (unpublished opinion) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for discretionary review denied, 367 N.C. 810, 767 S.E.2d 524 (2015) (filed Jan. 23, 2015) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • Burley v. U.S. Foods, Inc., 233 N.C. App. 286, 756 S.E.2d 84 (2014), rev’d, 368 N.C. 315, 776 S.E.2d 832 (2015) (wrote appellant’s brief to the Court of Appeals and appellee’s New Brief to the Supreme Court).
  • Miller v. Northeast Med. Ctr., 233 N.C. App. 342, 756 S.E.2d 54 (2014) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Bethea v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 231 N.C. App. 713, 754 S.E.2d 258, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 48 (2014) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Sinanovic v. W.B. Moore Co., IC No. 028831 (2013) (settled after Notice of Appeal filed, but before Record on Appeal filed).
  • Gonzalez v. Worrell, 366 N.C. 501, 739 S.E.2d 552 (2013) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • Anglin v. Dunbar Armored, 226 N.C. App. 203, 742 S.E.2d 205 (2013) (wrote appellant’s brief).
  • Smith v. Aramark, COA 12-454 (N.C. App. 2012) (settled after Defendant’s Notice of Appeal filed, but before Record on Appeal filed with Court of Appeals, and appeal withdrawn as ordered on October 10, 2012).
  • Grayson v. First Charlotte Perfusion Services & Novant Health, 223 N.C. App. 361, 734 S.E.2d 139, 2012 N.C. App. LEXIS 1226 (2012) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Helfrich v. Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 225 N.C. App. 701, 741 S.E.2d 408 (2013) (wrote appellant’s brief).
  • Tinsley v. City of Charlotte, COA 11-1117 (2011) (remanded by order to Full Commission), appeal after further proceedings, 228 N.C. App. 744, 747 S.E.2d 145 (2013) (wrote appellant’s briefs in each of the two appeals and had two oral arguments).
  • Cawthorn v. Mission Hosp., Inc., 211 N.C. App.42, 712 S.E.2d 306 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Mehaffey v. Burger King, 217 N.C. App. 318, 718 S.E.2d 720 (2011), rev’d, 367 N.C. 120, 749 S.E.2d 252 (2012) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals, Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court, and appellant’s New Brief to the Supreme Court, and had oral argument at Supreme Court).
  • Yous v. Greif, Inc., 210 N.C. App. 492, 711 S.E.2d 207, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 517 (2011) (unpublished opinion) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Cardwell v. Jenkins Cleaners, Inc., 365 N.C. 1, 704 S.E.2d 898 (2011) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice).
  • Ashley v. C&H Carriers, COA 10-1370 (case settled after Record on Appeal filed, but before any briefs filed).
  • Kee v. Caromont Health, Inc., 209 N.C. App. 193, 706 S.E.2d 781 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Thomas v. Contract Core Drilling & Sawing, 209 N.C. App. 198, 703 S.E.2d 862 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Thompson v. Aramark, Inc., 209 N.C. App. 198, 703 S.E.2d 862 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Hatley v. Continental Gen’l Tire, 203 N.C. App. 372, 692 S.E.2d 488 (2010) (wrote appellee’s brief), appeal after remand, 215 N. C. App. 389, 716 S.E.2d 89, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 2005 (2011), reporting 2011 N.C. App. 1927 (filed Sept. 6, 2011) (unpublished opinion) (wrote appellant’s brief).
  • Nale v. Ethan Allen, 199 N.C. App. 511, 682 S.E.2d 231 (2009), petition for disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 745, 688 S.E.2d 454 (2009) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals and Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court).
  • Gesel v. Miller Orthopaedic Clinic, 2009 N.C. App. LEXIS 1122 (filed July 7, 2009), petition for disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 801, 690 S.E.2d 535 (2010) (wrote appellee’s brief to the Court of Appeals and Response to Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court).
  • Meares v. Dana Corp., 172 N.C. App. 291, 615 S.E.2d 912 (2005), (wrote appellant’s brief), subsequent appeal after remand, 193 N.C. App. 86, 666 S.E.2d 819 (2008), petition for disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 129, 673 S.E.2d 359 (2009) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals and Response to Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court).
  • Starr v. Gaston County Board of Educ., 191 N.C. App. 301, 663 S.E.2d 322 (2008) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Davis v. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, 362 N.C. 133, 655 S.E.2d 392 (2008) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers).
  • Roberts v. Dixie News, Inc., 189 N.C. App. 495, 658 S.E.2d 684 (2008) (wrote appellee’s and appellant’s briefs for plaintiff, and participated in oral argument).
  • McCarver v. Hunter Motors, Inc., COA 07-346, 2008 N.C. App. LEXIS 53 (filed Jan. 15, 2008) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Polston v. Six Star Economic Devel./Golden Corral, COA 06-1500, 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 1901 (filed Sept. 4, 2007) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 362 N.C. 457, 665 S.E.2d 449 (2008) (wrote appellee’s New Brief to Supreme Court and had oral argument), rev’g, 186 N.C. App. 474, 652 S.E.2d 22 (2007) (wrote appellant’s brief and had oral argument), appeal after remand, 217 N.C. App. 539, 720 S.E.2d 688 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • D’Aquisto v. Mission St. Joseph’s Health Sys., 360 N.C. 567, 633 S.E.2d 89 (2006) (wrote plaintiff-appellee’s New Brief to the Supreme Court), appeal after remand, 198N.C. App. 674, 680 S.E.2d 249 (2009) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Gainer v. Graebel Van Lines, COA 06-1475 (dismissed Dec. 5, 2006) (case settled and defendants voluntarily withdrew appeal after record filed, but before briefs filed).
  • Dodrill v. Jerry Rhyne’s Collision Repair, COA 05-1408, 2006 N.C. App. LEXIS 1472 (filed July 5, 2006) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Silvers v. Mastercraft, Inc., 2006 N.C. App. LEXIS 1162 (filed June 6, 2006) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Bowling v. US Airways Group, Inc., COA P06-55 (2006) (settled after defendants’ Notice of Appeal filed with Industrial Commission, but before Record on Appeal filed).
  • Driggers v. Central Church of God, COA 05-1142 (dismissed Nov. 17, 2005) (defendants’ appeal voluntarily withdrawn and dismissed before Record on Appeal filed).
  • Montgomery v. Toastmaster, Inc., 174 N.C. App. 320, 620 S.E.2d 685 (2005) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Brooks v. Capstar Corp., 360 N.C. 60, 621 S.E.2d 170 (2005) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers).
  • Queen v. Penske Corp., 174 N.C. App. 814, 625 S.E.2d 121 (2005), petition for disc. rev. denied, 360 N.C. 648, 636 S.E.2d 810 (2006) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals and Response to Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court).
  • Konrady v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 165 N.C. App. 620, 599 S.E.2d 593 (2004) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Atkins v. Kelly Springfield Tire Co., 358 N.C. 540, 597 S.E.2d 128 (2004) (per curiam) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers).
  • Starnes v. Interstate Foam & Supply, IC No. 801639 (Full Comm’n, filed June 8, 2006) (defendants’ Notice of Appeal dismissed before Record on Appeal filed).
  • Willey v. Williamson Produce, 357 N.C. 41, 577 S.E.2d 622 (2003) (per curiam) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers).
  • Boney v. Winn-Dixie, Inc., 163 N.C. App. 330, 593 S.E.2d (2004) (wrote appellee’s brief).
  • Osmond v. Carolina Concrete Specialties, 151 N.C. App. 541, 568 S.E.2d 204 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief), pet. for disc. rev. denied, 356 N.C. 676, 577 S.E.2d 631 (2003) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • Logan v. Roger’s Concrete Co., COA 01-588, 2002 N.C. App. LEXIS 1785 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for disc. rev. denied, 356 N.C. 164, 568 S.E.2d 197 (2002) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • Ruiz v. Belk Masonry Co., 148 N.C. App. 675, 559 S.E.2d 249 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief and had oral argument), petition for disc. review denied, 356 N.C. 166, 568 S.E.2d 610 (2002) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • Bridwell v. Golden Corral Steak House, 149 N.C. App. 338, 561 S.E.2d 298 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for disc. rev. denied, 355 N.C. 747, 565 S.E.2d 193 (2002) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • Groves v. Travelers Ins. Co., 354 N.C. 206, 552 S.E.2d 141 (2001) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers).
  • Thomas v. Bost, COA00-237, 2001 N.C. App. LEXIS 902 (filed May 15, 2001) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for disc. review denied, 353 N.C. 734, 552 S.E.2d 636 (2001) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • Shah v. Howard Johnson, 353 N.C. 381, 547 S.E.2d 17 (2001) (wrote response to Petition for Discretionary Review).
  • London v. Snak-Time Catering, 352 N.C. 589, 544 S.E.2d 781 (2000) (wrote response to petition for writ for certiorari, but not credited in Supreme Court opinion), appeal after remand, COA 03-1093 (2003) (case settled after Record on Appeal and after writing appellant’s brief).

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By Anonymous on Sep. 26, 2024
Verified Client

5.0 out of 5 stars

Vernon has been absolutely amazing. A year and half after I had been injured at work and after receiving medical treatment, it was time to start the settlement process. I was given an offer and wasn't sure if it was good. I found The Sumwalt Group on Google and saw the 5 star reviews. I reached out to them to see if I could get some advice. Vernon was the one to call me and gave me some wonderful free advice on countering and what would be a good amount. He also looked over the settlement agreement I received to make sure it wouldn't mess up any potential social security/disability in the future. Vernon made me feel like he cared and like he wanted the best for me on this settlement and helped me to avoid having to hire a lawyer and drag out the process. I hope I never get hurt on the job again, but if I ever do I will definitely reach out to them again.

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By Anonymous on Oct. 25, 2021
Verified Client

5.0 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

Vernon Sumwalt is truly one of the best attorneys in his field of practice. I am so grateful for his passion, dedication, professionalism and great judgment. He is very compassionate, willing to listen and extremely knowledgeable of the law. Vernon’s kindness and compassion made a very difficult experience much more tolerable. I’ve consulted attorneys before, but you are truly the best I’ve ever worked with. Thank you so much!

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By Barbara W. on Aug. 02, 2020
Verified Client

5.0 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

We could not have been any more Satisfied then what we were with Mr. Vernon Sumwalt and his team! This was our second time hiring Mr. Vernon Sumwalt (first was in 2008) & just like the first time, he Did Not disappoint with taking care of my challenging case this time...I won both!!! This is Definitely one of The Best Law firms I know & along with Mr. Sumwalt, him and his team are Very Caring, Compassionate down to earth folks!! I wish I could give this Law Firm more then a 5 star rating…They Truly Deserve It!!!

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By Anonymous on Jul. 20, 2020
Verified Client

5.0 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

My experience with Mr. Sumwalt. Was very good. His firm was very supportive throughout the hold process of my case. He was very quick to respond to any question that I had. Years past my case. He has been very informative about pointing or referring, someone that could help or guide me through other issues. It has been a blessing to have him and his firm in my corner.

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By Sharon W. on May. 23, 2020
Verified Client

5.0 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

If you are looking for a law firm this is the one! Always courteous, professional and prompt. They are definitely the best!

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By CJ G. on May. 18, 2020
Verified Client

5.0 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

Vernon is the BEST Worker’s Compensation lawyer, hands down. He is very compassionate and extremely knowledgeable. Vernon represented me through many years. We went through numerous court hearings, mediations, petitions, motions and appeals. He is always professional, and highly respected in our community. I have been blessed to know him for over eighteen years, both as a client and now as a friend. I couldn’t have gone through any of it without him. I would definitely recommend The Sumwalt Group for all your legal needs.

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By Anonymous on May. 18, 2020
Verified Client

4.0 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

Knowledgeable, experienced, hard working. The Sumwalt Group had my best interest in hand…I would highly recommend them!

By Anonymous on May. 09, 2020
Verified Client

4.5 out of 5 stars

Recommends this attorney

Vernon Sumwalt is a kind and determined lawyer who goes above and beyond to meet the need of his clients. Vernon and his team were available to answer and address all my questions and concerns. I am very happy with their work and could not have asked for a better settlement. I would highly recommend!

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Call us at 704-741-5954

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Firm Address

Phone:
704-741-5954
Fax:
7045591783
Web:
www.sumwaltgrouplaw.com

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Post Office Box 31424 Charlotte, NC 28231

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