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Charlotte Workers' Compensation Law Firm
Overview
From our office in Charlotte, North Carolina, the trial lawyers at The Sumwalt Group have worked to make our workplaces and communities safer and to secure compensation for those injured when others make unsafe choices. 99% our clients find us through word-of-mouth referrals. Friends, family, unions, trade organizations, medical providers, and other lawyers send them our way.
We handle cases at all levels between trial and appeal throughout the Carolinas...
From our office in Charlotte, North Carolina, the trial lawyers at The Sumwalt Group have worked to make our workplaces and communities safer and to secure compensation for those injured when others make unsafe choices. 99% our clients find us through word-of-mouth referrals. Friends, family, unions, trade organizations, medical providers, and other lawyers send them our way.
We handle cases at all levels between trial and appeal throughout the Carolinas. We select cases to help with workers' compensation and other complex claims for injury or wrongful death, resulting from industrial safety violations to car wrecks. Our firm has a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in both Appellate Practice and Workers' Compensation Law so you can trust you will get an accurate evaluation of your legal challenge. We also work with a network of top notch colleagues both inside and outside of North Carolina and South Carolina when unique issues come up.
Our law firm's team of highly experienced and dedicated trial lawyers have the extensive skills and resources necessary to handle your matter efficiently and to bring closure to your case.
Although we have a physical office, our practice is virtual and can fit video meetings and other communications into your schedule. Our job is to explain your options as we find the most effective strategy to get you back on your feet after an injury. For more information, please feel free to contact us at The Sumwalt Group and to take advantage of our free initial consultations.
About The Sumwalt Group Workers' Comp and Trial Lawyers
Practice Areas
- Workers' Compensation 90%
- Personal Injury 10%
Litigation
- 100%
Classes and Seminars
- “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 - Present
- Practical Legal Ethics in North Carolina: Issues and Answers , National Business Institute, February 21, 2001 - Present
- 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, 2001 - August 24, 2001
- Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina , National Business Institute, February 21, 2001 - Present
- 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, 2002 - September 6, 2002
- Statutory Liens (2002 South Carolina Automobile Insurance Update), South Carolina Bar, October 25, 2002 - Present
- Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina , National Business Institute, November 19, 2002 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation: Unraveling the Mystery/ 8th Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Annual Meeting , North Carolina Bar Association, February 21, 2003 - February 22, 2003
- Ethical Issues Related to Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Personal Injury Litigation -- Legal Ethics in North Carolina, Lorman Educational Services, February 21, 2003 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina , National Business Institute, May 16, 2003 - Present
- Legal Ethics for Legal Assistants -- Basics of Legal Assisting in North Carolina, Half-Moon Seminars, June 25, 2003 - Present
- 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 - Present
- Knight, Willey, Arp, and More: How Should We Change our Practices (NCATL Convention 2003), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers , June 17, 2003 - Present
- 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 - Present
- Practical Trial Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 12, 2003 - Present
- Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina , National Business Institute, November 3, 2003 - Present
- Current Status of Credits under G.S. § 97-47 (10th Annual Workplace Torts & Workers' Compensation), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 5, 2003 - Present
- Advanced Workers’ Compensation: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Workplace / 9th Annual Workers’ Compensation Meeting , North Carolina Bar Association, February 20, 2004 - February 21, 2004
- North Carolina Workers’ Comp Update 2004, Council on Education and Management, May 4, 2004 - Present
- Handling a Social Security Case in North Carolina, National Business Institute, July 19, 2004 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina, National Business Institute, August 31, 2004 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation 2005: Navigating the Workplace Maze—10th Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Meeting, North Carolina Bar Association, February 18, 2005 - Present
- 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 - Present
- What Every Workers’ Compensation Paralegal Should Know About Medicare and Social Security Disability, South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association and the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, May 20, 2005 - Present
- Medicare Set-Asides for Personal Injury Cases (NCATL Convention 2005), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, June 21, 2005 - Present
- Getting Maximum Benefits for Your Social Security Disability Clients in North Carolina , National Business Institute, July 13, 2005 - Present
- 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 - Present
- Interplay Between Benefits—Workers’ Comp, Social Security Disability, Medicare, Long-Term Disability, Unemployment Compensation, and Average Weekly Wage, Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina, November 15, 2005 - Present
- Workers’ Comp Liens—N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-10.2 Update, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 2, 2005 - Present
- Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina , National Business Institute, December 12, 2005 - Present
- Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation (Disbursements 2006), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, January 20, 2006 - Present
- Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation (Disbursements 2006), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, February 24, 2006 - Present
- Proving Causation in Injury Cases (13th Annual Workers' Comp Roundtable), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 3, 2006 - Present
- North Carolina Workers’ Comp Update 2006 , Council on Education and Management, August 16, 2006 - Present
- Concurrent Receipt of Workers’ Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare Benefits (Advanced Workers' Compensation), Sterling Education Services, September 26, 2006 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation Hearings: Techniques and Strategies for Success , National Business Institute, October 19, 2006 - Present
- Medicare Panel with Q&A (13th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers' Comp), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 1, 2006 - Present
- The Devil is in the Details: Hot Topics in Workers’ Compensation Law , North Carolina Bar Association, February 16, 2007 - February 17, 2007
- “Drafting Opinions and Awards that Will Survive on Appeal (Workers' Comp Roundtable 2007), North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 16, 2007 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation Law Update , National Business Institute, October 4, 2007 - Present
- Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Set-Asides (A is for Accident: A Workers' Compensation Primer), North Carolina Bar Association, October 5, 2007 - Present
- 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, 2017 - Present
- Handling a Social Security Disability Case, National Business Institute, October 11, 2007 - Present
- The Workers’ Compensation Claim” and “Interplay Between Benefits—WC, SSD, UC, Medicare, Long-Term Disability (Fundamentals of Workers' Compensation), Sterling Education Services, October 16, 2007 - Present
- 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 - Present
- Advanced Workers’ Compensation, National Business Institute, December 12, 2007 - Present
- Getting Ahead of the “Comp”etition: Key Issues in Workers’ Compensation Law, North Carolina Bar Association, February 15, 2008 - February 16, 2008
- Calculating Compensatory Earnings and the Interplay Between Benefits: Coordination of Workers’ Compensation With Other Benefits, Sterling Education Services, March 4, 2008 - Present
- Settlement Demands, Future Medicals, and Attendant Care, 13th Annual Workers' Comp Roundtable, March 7, 2008 - Present
- Reimbursement Claims in Workers’ Compensation Cases (Liens, Liens, and More Liens: Resolving Claims of Subrogation and Reimbursement 2008, South Carolina Bar, March 2, 2008 - Present
- Social Security/Medicare Issues (Dissecting a Workers' Compensation Case), South Carolina Bar, September 5, 2008 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation Update, National Business Institute, October 1, 2008 - Present
- Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Set Asides, Basics of Workers' Compensation, October 17, 2008 - Present
- 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, 2008 - November 8, 2008
- Advanced Workers’ Compensation, National Business Institute, December 10, 2008 - Present
- Sources of Coverage: Exploring the “Maze” of Insurance Law, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 15, 2009 - Present
- Evidence-Based Medicine (14th Annual Workers' Compensation Roundtable, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 6, 2009 - Present
- Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with (1) Social Security Disability, (2) Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, (3) Unemployment, and (4) Medicare, Sterling Education Services, June 16, 2009 - Present
- 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 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation,” Beyond the Elements II: South Carolina Damages from A to Z, South Carolina Bar, September 25, 2009 - Present
- Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens & Set Asides (2009 Basics of Workers' Compensation), North Carolina Bar Association, October 2, 2009 - Present
- Let’s Talk Rehab (Plaintiff’s Perspective),” 14th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 8, 2009 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation Law Update , National Business Institute, October 13, 2009 - Present
- 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 - Present
- “Is There any Law Regarding Occupational Disease?” and “”Medicare/Social Security: Do I Really Have to Deal with Them in My Workers’ Compensation Case?” (Occupational Disease Before the North Carolina Industrial Commission), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 29, 2010 - Present
- Breakout Moderator, 15th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 5, 2010 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation Belli Nuggets—Ten ‘Do and Don’t’ Tips for Trying Attendant Care Cases (2010 Convention), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 22, 2010 - Present
- Coordination of Workers’ Compensation With Social Security Disability (Handling a Social Security Disability Case), National Business Institute, September 14, 2010 - Present
- “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 - Present
- Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens & Set Asides (Accidents Happen--2010 Basics of Workers' Compensation), North Carolina Bar Association, October 1, 2010 - Present
- The Language of Mediate Settlement Agreements and Clinchers: Protecting Your Clients (Belli Nugget Presentation), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 16, 2010 - Present
- Client Intake in Workers’ Compensation Cases (2010 Convention), South Carolina Injured Workers' Advocates, November 6, 2010 - Present
- Medicare Panel (Workplace Torts & Workers' Compensation), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 3, 2010 - Present
- “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 - Present
- Occupational Diseases , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 28, 2011 - Present
- Workers' Compensation Roundtable, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 4, 2011 - Present
- Convention 2011 (moderated “Greatest Wins” and “Greatest Losses” presentations and introduced Keynote Speaker Erin Brockovich), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 18, 2011 - June 22, 2011
- Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation (16th Annual North Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Conference), North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 19, 2011 - Present
- 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 - Present
- Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Medicare Set Asides (Workplace Injuries and Conditions: 2011 Basics of Workers' Compensation), North Carolina Bar Association, October 28, 2011 - Present
- Ramifications of the Year’s Most Important Appellate Court Decisions (18th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers' Compensation), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 2, 2011 - Present
- 17th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 2, 2011 - Present
- Workers’ Comp: Legislative Update and How this New Legislation Affects Paralegals (Spring Seminar for Paralegals), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 14, 2012 - Present
- Convention 2012 ((presented “Attendant Care” section of workers’ compensation case law review on June 19, 2012), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 16, 2012 - June 20, 2012
- What’s New in Social Security Disability and Medicare (The Law of Workers’ Compensation in SC—2012 Update), South Carolina Car, September 21, 2012 - Present
- Learning the Ropes—Workers’ Compensation Basics (presented “Introduction to Workers’ Compensation Law” and “Evaluating a Claim for Representation), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 5, 2012 - Present
- Case Law Update 17th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, NC Industrial Commission, October 12, 2012 - Present
- Panel Discussion: Ramifications of the Year’s Most Important Appellant Court Decisions, Workplace Torts & Workers’ Comp , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 7, 2012 - Present
- New Workers’ Comp Rules, 18th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, April 12, 2013 - Present
- Update on the Industrial Commission’s Rulemaking Under the Administrative Procedures Act and Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update, 2013 Convention, including the Summer Conference for Paralegals , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 15, 2013 - June 16, 2013
- North Carolina Case Law Update, 18th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference , NC Industrial Commission, October 11, 2013 - Present
- “Proving Your Workers’ Comp Case: Tips on Disability,” Mountain Magic, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 19, 2003 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update), 2014 Convention, North Carolina Advocates for justice, June 15, 2014 - Present
- Case Law Update, 2014 North Carolina Educational Conference , NC Industrial Commission, October 10, 2014 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid, 22nd Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo , November 20, 2014 - Present
- “Establishing Disability Under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act in 2015: The Spectrum of Earning Capacity Issues from Impairment to Restoration,” Grandover CLE, North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, 2015 - Present
- New Industrial Commission Rules and Their Impact on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Cases, Mecklenburg County Bar, February 24, 2015 - Present
- “So You Filed Your Notice of Appeal… Now What?” 20th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 6, 2015 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update), 2015 Convention , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 14, 2015 - Present
- “Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference, October 16, 2015 - Present
- Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 4, 2015 - Present
- Personal Injury Protection and Statutory Liens, 2015 South Carolina Automobile Insurance Law Update , South Carolina Bar, December 18, 2015 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update), 2016 Convention, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 21, 2016 - Present
- “Attorney Sparring (Plaintiff’s Perspective),” 2016 Southeastern RIMS Conference, September 27, 2016 - Present
- “Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference, October 7, 2016 - Present
- Fall Conference for Paralegals, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 4, 2016 - Present
- Differences between Workers’ Compensation in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates Convention, November 5, 2016 - Present
- Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 2, 2016 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update), 2017 Convention, North Carolina Advocates for Justices
- North Carolina Case Law Update, North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference, October 6, 2017 - Present
- Moderator, Spotting a Class Action and Taking Action, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 25, 2017 - Present
- Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update , Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 1, 2017 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update), 2018 Convention , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2018 - Present
- Case Law Update, 23rd Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference , October 12, 2018 - Present
- Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation , North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 7, 2018 - Present
- 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, April 5, 2019 - Present
- Workers’ Compensation Appellate Case Update, 2019 Convention, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 20, 2019 - Present
- Top 10 Issues Between Workers’ Compensation and Social Security (SCAJ Convention 2019), South Carolina Advocates for Justice, August 1, 2019 - August 3, 2019
- Trial Skills: Focus Groups, North Carolina Advocates for Justice , September 26, 2019 - Present
- 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, October 3, 2019 - Present
- Case Law Update, 24th Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference , October 4, 2019 - Present
- “North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law,” Atlantic Coast Labor Management Conference , October 16, 2019 - October 18, 2019
- “Preparing and Taking Doctors’ Depositions,” South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates Annual Convention, November 9, 2019 - Present
- “Workers’ Compensation Law,” 2019 Half Day Workshop, Blue Ridge Safety Council , December 5, 2019 - Present
- Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation , December 6, 2019 - Present
- Let’s Just All Agree to Disagree: 2019 Workers’ Compensation Annual Mtg., North Carolina Bar Association, February 7, 2020 - Present
- Uncompromising the Great Compromise of Workers’ Compensation—New Routes Around the Exclusive Remedy Doctrine, Southern Trial Lawyers Association, February 22, 2020 - Present
- Social Security Disability Insurance Offsets, How to Solve Non-Recognition Problems at the Social Security Administration," Workers' Compensation Quirky Issues 2020, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, September 18, 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
- "Appellate Case Law Update," North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (co-presented with Bruce Hamilton), North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 16, 2020
- Moderator and Presenter, "Appellate Case Law Update," Workplace Torts and Workers' Compensation, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 4, 2020
- "Legal and Evidentiary Standards of Disability (Are There Any Presumptions Left?)," 26th Annual Workers' Compensation Roundtable, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, April 9, 2021
- "Workers' Compensation Appellate Case Law Update." 2021 Convention, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 10, 2021
- With Heidi Chapman. "When Death Claims Don't Die," Workers' Compensation 2021: Quirky Issues in Workers' Compensation, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, September 10, 2021
- With Bruce Hamilton. "Appellate Case Law Update," North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference, North Carolina Industrial Commission, 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, November 5, 2021
- Moderator and Presenter, "Appellate Case Law Update," Workplace Torts and Workers' Compensation, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 3, 2021
Office Information
Address
1213 West Morehead StreetThe Refinery, Suite 521 Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone
Offers Free Initial Consultation
Yes
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
Achievements
Lawyers at The Sumwalt Group Workers' Comp and Trial Lawyers selected for a Super Lawyers® list
- Sumwalt, Vernon On a Super Lawyers® List
Honors
- Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation by the North Carolina State Bar , 2005 - 2020
- Workers’ Compensation Specialization Committee , 2010 - 2017
- Vice Chair, Workers' Compensation Specialization Committee, 2012 - 2014
- Chair, Workers' Compensation Specialization Committee, 2014 - 2017
- Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice by the North Carolina State Bar, 2014 - 2020
- Fellow, National College of Workers’ Compensation , 2019 - 2020
- Best Lawyers in America® in the area of workers’ compensation , 2009 - 2020
- Best Lawyers’ 2013 Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants’ “Lawyer of the Year” in Charlotte, 2013 - Present
- Best Lawyers’ 2016 Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants’ “Lawyer of the Year in North Carolina", 2016 - Present
- Best Lawyers’ 2018 Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants’ “Lawyer of the Year” in Charlotte, 2018 - Present
- North Carolina Super Lawyers (www.superlawyers.com) in the field of workers’ compensation , 2009 - Present
- North Carolina Super Lawyers' "Rising Star", 2009 - 2020
- Top Attorneys in North Carolina, Charlotte Magazine, 2011 - Present
- Top 25 Attorneys in Charlotte (Charlotte Magazine), 2015 - 2016
- Top 100 Attorneys in North Carolina, 2015 - 2019
- LEXIS-NEXIS® Larson’s National Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board , 2007 - 2020
- Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rated—AV Preeminent (5.0 out of 5.0), 2007 - Present
- James L. Cross Leadership Award (North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), 2011 - Present
- Honorary New Lawyer Award (North Carolina Advocates for Justice), 2012 - Present
- Eleven (12) Order of Service Awards, 2009 - 2020
- National Academy of Social Insurance, 2012 - 2020
Published
Articles
- A Step-by-Step Approach to the Breast Implant Client’s Social Security Case, South Carolina Trial Lawyer Bulletin, Spring, 1997
republished in The Advocate (Nevada Trial Lawyers Association) - Book Review: Foundations of Environmental Law & Policy, 5 S.C. Envtl. L. J. 207 , Spring, 1997
- The Law of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina, South Carolina Bar, Second Edition, 1998
- Revisiting the Workers’ Compensation/Social Security Offset, The Course and Scope, Vol. 17, No. 1
- Ten Things Every Workers’ Compensation Attorney Should Know about Medicare, South Carolina Trial Lawyer Bulletin, Fall, 2004
- Proving Causation in Injury Cases, Trial Briefs (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers), April, 2006
- Membership Profile—Rick Harper, The Course & Scope, Vol. 21, No. 1, 2007
- 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
- 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, LEXIS-NEXIS® , 2008
- The Chair’s Comments (N.C. Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section), The Course and Scope , Vol. 22, No. 1 , 2008
- South Carolina Damages, Chapter 39: Workers’ Compensation, South Carolina Bar Second Edition, 2009
- Scenes We’d Like to See from WCRI’s Medical Benchmark Studies, Workers’ Compensation Law Center Powered by Larson’s, LEXIS-NEXIS® , 2009
- Bye Bye Brewington,” Workers’ Compensation Law Community Powered by Larson’s, LEXIS-NEXIS®, August, 2019
- A North Carolina Perspective: Mediation Pros and Cons, Chronicles (South Carolina Workers' Compensation Education Association), Winter, 2009
- Vernon Sumwalt on Preapproval and Awards of Retroactive Attendant Care Services: Boylan v. Verizon Wireless, 685 S.E.2d 155, 2010 Emerging Issues 4876 (LEXIS-NEXIS®), February, 2010
- Vernon Sumwalt on ‘A Tale of Two Cases’ (Stare Decisis Only Matters Sometimes), Gregory v. W.A. Brown & Sons, 2010 Emerging Issues 4912 (LEXIS-NEXIS®), 2011
- The Complete Guide to Medicare Secondary Payor Compliance, LEXIS-NEXIS®, 2011
- It’s Still the Economy, Stupid: Considering the NCCI Research Brief ‘Workers’ Compensation Claims Frequency, LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter , Vol. 2, Issue 41 , 2011
- WCRI's Baseline for Evaluating the Impact of North Carolina's 2011 Reforms: A Measuring Stick That Falls Short, LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter , Vol. 3, Issue 9
- Workers’ Comp Bills Filed in 2013, Trial Briefs (North Carolina Advocates for Justice), August, 2013
- Commentary on 2013 North Carolina Workers’ Comp Related Legislation, Workers’ Compensation Emerging Issues Analysis, LEXIS-NEXIS® , 2013
- Workers’ Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid, LexisNexis e-Newsletter, February, 2015
- Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers’ Compensation, LEXIS-NEXIS®, 2017, 2018, 2019 Editions
- Negligence Policy, Elements, and Evidence: The Role of Foreseeability in the Law of Fifty States , Balloon Press, 2018
- President’s Column, Trial Briefs (North Advocates for Justice), July, 2019
- President’s Column: Our Time to Take Back the Courtroom, North Carolina Advocates for Justice blog , September, 2019
- President’s Column: Music Lessons (and the Legend of Ben Folds), Trial Briefs, October, 2019
- President’s Column: Best Lawyers v. Best Lawyering, Trial Briefs, Winter, 2020
- President’s Column: The Extra Mile (The World is Changing—and So Are We), Trial Briefs (NC Advocates for Justice), Spring, 2020
Representative Cases
- London v. Snak-Time Catering, 352 N.C. 589, 544 S.E.2d 781 (2000)
- Shah v. Howard Johnson, 353 N.C. 381, 547 S.E.2d 17 (2001)
- Thomas v. Bost, COA00-237, 2001 N.C. App. LEXIS 902 (2001)
- Thomas v. Bost, 353 N.C. 734, 552 S.E.2d 636 (2001)
- Groves v. Travelers Ins. Co., 354 N.C. 206, 552 S.E.2d 141 (2001)
- Bridwell v. Golden Corral Steak House, 149 N.C. App. 338, 561 S.E.2d 298 (2002)
- Bridwell v. Golden Corral Steak House, 355 N.C. 747, 565 S.E.2d 193 (2002)
- Ruiz v. Belk Masonry Co., 148 N.C. App. 675, 559 S.E.2d 249 (2002)
- Logan v. Roger’s Concrete Co., COA 01-588, 2002 N.C. App. LEXIS 1785 (2002)
- Osmond v. Carolina Concrete Specialties, 151 N.C. App. 541, 568 S.E.2d 204 (2002)
- Osmond v. Carolina Concrete Specialties, 356 N.C. 676, 577 S.E.2d 631 (2003)
- Boney v. Winn-Dixie, Inc. , 163 N.C. App. 330, 593 S.E.2d (2004)
- Willey v. Williamson Produce, 357 N.C. 41, 577 S.E.2d 622 (2003)
- Starnes v. Interstate Foam & Supply, IC No. 801639 (2006)
- Atkins v. Kelly Springfield Tire Co, 358 N.C. 540, 597 S.E.2d 128 (2004)
- Konrady v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 165 N.C. App. 620, 599 S.E.2d 593 (2004)
- Queen v. Penske Corp., 174 N.C. App. 814, 625 S.E.2d 121 (2005)
- Queen v. Penske Corp., 360 N.C. 648, 636 S.E.2d 810 (2006)
- Brooks v. Capstar Corp. , 360 N.C. 60, 621 S.E.2d 170 (2005)
- Montgomery v. Toastmaster, Inc., 174 N.C. App. 320, 620 S.E.2d 685 (2005)
- Driggers v. Central Church of God, COA 05-1142 (2005)
- Bowling v. US Airways Group, Inc. , COA P06-55 (2006)
- Silvers v. Mastercraft, Inc. , N.C. App. LEXIS 1162 (2006)
- Dodrill v. Jerry Rhyne’s Collision Repair, COA 05-1408 (2006)
- Gainer v. Graebel Van Lines, COA 10-1475 (2006)
- D’Aquisto v. Mission St. Joseph’s Health Sys., 360 N.C. 567, 633 S.E.2d 89 (2006)
- D’Aquisto v. Mission St. Joseph’s Health Sys., 198N.C. App. 674, 680 S.E.2d 249
- Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc. , 362 N.C. 457, 665 S.E.2d 449 (2008)
- Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 186 N.C. App. 474, 652 S.E.2d 22 (2007)
- Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 217 N.C. App. 539, 720 S.E.2d 688 (2011)
- Polston v. Six Star Economic Devel./Golden Corral, COA 06-1500, 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 1901 (2007)
- McCarver v. Hunter Motors, Inc., COA 07-346, 2008 N.C. App. LEXIS 53 (2008)
- Roberts v. Dixie News, Inc., 189 N.C. App. 495, 658 S.E.2d 684 (2008)
- Davis v. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, 362 N.C. 133, 655 S.E.2d 392 (2008)
- Starr v. Gaston County Board of Educ., 191 N.C. App. 301, 663 S.E.2d 322 (2008)
- Meares v. Dana Corp., 172 N.C. App. 291, 615 S.E.2d 912 (2005)
- Meares v. Dana Corp., 193 N.C. App. 86, 666 S.E.2d 819 (2008)
- Meares v. Dana Corp., 363 N.C. 129, 673 S.E.2d 359 (2009)
- Gesel v. Miller Orthopaedic Clinic, 2009 N.C. App. LEXIS 1122 (2009)
- Gesel v. Miller Orthopaedic Clinic, 363 N.C. 801, 690 S.E.2d 535 (2010)
- Nale v. Ethan Allen, 199 N.C. App. 511, 682 S.E.2d 231 (2009)
- Nale v. Ethan Allen, 363 N.C. 745, 688 S.E.2d 454 (2009)
- Hatley v. Continental Gen’l Tire, 203 N.C. App. 372, 692 S.E.2d 488 (2010)
- Hatley v. Continental Gen’l Tire, 215 N. C. App. 389, 716 S.E.2d 89, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 2005 (2011)
- Thompson v. Aramark, Inc., 209 N.C. App. 198, 703 S.E.2d 862 (2011)
- Thomas v. Contract Core Drilling & Sawing, 209 N.C. App. 198, 703 S.E.2d 862 (2011)
- Kee v. Caromont Health, Inc, 209 N.C. App. 193, 706 S.E.2d 781 (2011)
- Ashley v. C&H Carriers, COA 10-1370 (2011)
- Cardwell v. Jenkins Cleaners, Inc., 365 N.C. 1, 704 S.E.2d 898 (2011)
- Yous v. Greif, Inc. , 210 N.C. App. 492, 711 S.E.2d 207, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 517 (2011)
- 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
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- Tinsley v. City of Charlotte, COA 11-1117 (2011)
- Tinsley v. City of Charlotte, 228 N.C. App. 744, 747 S.E.2d 145 (2013)
- Helfrich v. Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 225 N.C. App. 701, 741 S.E.2d 408 (2013)
- 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)
- Smith v. Aramark, COA 12-454 (2012)
- Anglin v. Dunbar Armored, 226 N.C. App. 203, 742 S.E.2d 205 (2013)
- Gonzalez v. Worrell, 366 N.C. 501, 739 S.E.2d 552 (2013)
- Sinanovic v. W.B. Moore Co., IC No. 028831 (2013)
- Bethea v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 231 N.C. App. 713, 754 S.E.2d 258, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 48 (2014)
- Miller v. Northeast Med. Ctr., 233 N.C. App. 342, 756 S.E.2d 54 (2014)
- Burley v. U.S. Foods, Inc., 233 N.C. App. 286, 756 S.E.2d 84 (2015)
- Burley v. U.S. Foods, Inc., 368 N.C. 315, 776 S.E.2d 832 (2015)
- Skoff v. U.S. Airways, Inc., ., 234 N.C. App. 329, 762 S.E.2d 2, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 588 (2014)
- Skoff v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 367 N.C. 810, 767 S.E.2d 524 (2015)
- Winston v. Charlotte Observer, IC No. X69037 (2013)
- Medlin v. Weaver Cooke Constr., LLC, 367 N.C. 414, 760 S.E.2d 732 (2014)
- Ademovic v. Taxi USA, LLC, 237 N.C. App. 402, 767 S.E.2d 571 (2014)
- Gregory v. Pearson, 367 N.C. 315, 754 S.E.2d 416 (2014)
- Haileab v. John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., 240 N.C. App. 293, 772 S.E.2d 265, 2015 N.C. App. LEXIS 286 (2015)
- Wells v. Charlotte Mecklenburg Hosp. Auth., 238 N.C. App. 364, 768 S.E.2d 201, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 1371 (2014)
- Heglar v. Commissioners of the N.C. Indus. Comm’n, P14-329 (2014)
- Edwards v. Reddy Ice, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 397 (2016)
- Alfredson v. Premier Transp. Co. (2015)
- Alfredson v. Premier Transp. Co. (2015)
- Breath v. OrthoCarolina, 781 S.E.2d 532, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 34 (2016)
- Farley v. Sygma Network, Inc., IC No. 13-756437 (2015)
- Rainey v. City of Charlotte, 785 S.E.2d 766, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 565 (2015)
- Saunders v. ADP Total Source FI XI, Inc., 49 N.C. App. 361, 791 S.E.2d 466, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 927 (2016)
- Saunders v. ADP Total Source FI XI, Inc., 2017 N.C. LEXIS 826, 370 N.C. 271 (2017)
- Saunders v. ADP Total Source FI XI, Inc., 372 N.C. 29, 822 S.E.2d 857 (2019)
- Lewis v. Transit Management of Charlotte, 792 S.E.2d 890, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 1241 (2016)
- Wilkes v. City of Greenville, 369 N.C. 730, 787 S.E.2d 16 (2016)
- Easter-Rozzelle v. City of Charlotte, 370 N.C. 286, 807 S.E.2d 122 (2017)
- McCleod v. Spectrum Brands, IC File No. 13-748970 (2017)
- Pine v. Wal-Mart Assocs., Inc., #1552, 371 N.C. 707, 821 S.E.2d 155 (2018)
- Walker v. K&W Cafeterias, ___ N.C. App. ___, 824 S.E.2d 894 (2019)
- Walker v. K&W Cafeterias, 372 N.C. 354, 828 S.E.2d 21 (2019)
- Watkins v. Federal Express, IC File No. X98323 (2019)
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