While most safety warnings exist to protect workers who are outside battling the sun and humidity during a shift, workers can often face danger inside during the summer months. Heat-related disorders are more prevalent in those facing direct sunlight and a dangerously...
Helping Make The Law Make Sense
Year: 2021
Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association’s 2021 Fall Program)
Vernon Sumwalt will present at the North Carolina Bar Association’s 2021 Fall Workers’ Compensation Program entitled “The Basics of Workers’ Compensation.” His live video presentation will discuss “Challenges Faced on Both Sides of a Claim.” To learn more about the...
Workers’ compensation for serious injuries
Living with chronic pain can be both physically and emotionally debilitating. If you suffered a serious injury at work, you might also be struggling to make ends meet financially. Getting help through North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system should be a priority...
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...
Is the summer heat affecting your health at work this summer?
If you work outdoors in North Carolina, you know the summer months can be uncomfortable as temperatures begin to rise. In addition to sweating more and possibly experiencing sunburn, the summer months can also pose a risk to your physical safety as well. During the...
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...
Teaching at “Workers’ Compensation 2021: Quirky Issues in Workers’ Comp”
Vernon Sumwalt—with co-counsel and colleague Heidi Chapman—will teach "When Death Claims Don't Die" at the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers) continuing legal education seminar, "Workers' Compensation 2021:...
North Carolina Lawyer Mike McKay Becomes the Director of Claims Administration at the Industrial Commission
North Carolina attorney Mike McKay has joined the Industrial Commission as the Director of Claims Administration, one of the integral parts of the Commission. Mr. McKay is a Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board...
OSHA warns of fatal construction injuries
North Carolina construction workers continue to face life threatening risks every time they show up for a shift. Fatal construction injuries are not at all uncommon, accounting for 20% of all private industry worker deaths in 2019 alone. There are also tens of...
Deputy Commissioners Robert Harris, Lori Gaines, and Jesse “Jay” Tillman Reappointed at the Industrial Commission for Second Terms
The North Carolina Industrial Commission has reappointed Robert Harris, Lori Gaines, and Jay Tillman to second terms as deputy commissioners. Deputy Commissioners are the equivalent of "judges" in workers' compensation claims and State Tort Claims actions tried...