Thank you to Allison Latos of WSOC-TV Channel 9 News for letting Vernon Sumwalt participate in this interview about possible occupational cancer and our workers' comp system in North Carolina. Watch Allison's report at this link:...
Helping Make The Law Make Sense
Year: 2021
Work injuries suffered at home
Working from home is more popular than ever. While remote workers can now enjoy working from the comfort and safety of their own homes, they do face unique safety risks that are not necessarily shared by those who physically report to their places of work. Work...
Long working hours contribute to fatal injuries
Worldwide, approximately two million people die from work-related injuries and illnesses every year. One of the biggest risk factors is rarely identified as a problem, though. According to the United Nations, long working hours contribute to a significant number of...
Who is at risk for fatal work injuries?
There is no such thing as a completely risk free workplace. Unfortunately, it does not matter how many safety precautions a worker takes when he or she is constantly exposed to dangerous environments. Certain industries are simply more prone to deadly accidents than...
Teaching the Appellate Case Law Review at the 26th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference
Vernon Sumwalt and Bruce Hamilton will once again close out the Industrial Commission’s workers’ compensation educational conference this year on Friday, October 8, 2021, teaching about the appellate court opinions published since last year’s conference. Vernon and...
North Carolina Industrial Commission Will Start In-Person Hearings in Workers’ Compensation Cases on October 1, 2021
Deputy Commissioner hearings will be conducted in-person, unless the Deputy Commissioner grants a video conference hearing upon the parties' showing of "good cause." The Commission did not give any guidance on what would make "good cause" or not. The Full Commission...
Workplace injuries and lost productivity
There are a lot of risks both hidden and obvious in the workplace. These risks pose a threat to worker safety, leaving many men and women vulnerable to serious workplace injuries. Many even end up needing to take time off work and missing out on valuable income. The...
Electronic Submission of Claims Forms to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission
Starting on September 1, 2021, the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission is requiring the submission of claims forms for work injuries and occupational diseases electronically. The Commission has also given formatting requirements for emails, forms, and...
Vernon Sumwalt Recognized in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America
The Sumwalt Group – August 19, 2021 We are pleased to share that Vernon Sumwalt has been chosen to be recognized in this year’s The Best Lawyers in America in the area of “Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants.” Vernon has been selected for Best Lawyers in this area of...
Watch out for road construction injuries
Most people in North Carolina rely on a car or some type of motor vehicle to do things like get to and from work, drop their children off at school or run errands. However, drivers often take for granted what all goes into making roads drivable in the first place....