Charles L. Hicks, III practices in the Workers’ Compensation Defense Group of the Raleigh Office of Cranfill Sumner, where he has defended hundreds of workers’ compensation claims, through all phases of the North Carolina workers’ compensation process.
Over the years, Charles has gained significant experience in defending death claims before the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). He frequently writes and lectures on this topic. He also has substantial experience investigating and analyzing cases, mediating claims to a successful resolution, conducting depositions, and crafting pleadings and briefs. Charles has served as first chair attorney in dozens of hearings in administrative forums, full evidentiary Hearings, and in appeals before panels of Commissioners.
Prior to joining Cranfill Sumner, Charles practiced for three years at a civil litigation firm in Raleigh, where he focused on construction litigation and commercial collections. In this position Charles shepherded cases through informal negotiations, Alternative Dispute Resolution forums, and all stages of the judicial adversarial process.
Charles was recently named among the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2021 in the fields of Workers’ Compensation Defense and Construction law. Charles also maintains an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is a peer review rating system.
Charles earned his law degree from Campbell University’s School of Law. While in law school Charles competed on the Moot Court team and held numerous internships in both the private and public sector. During his 3L year he was named to the list of “Who’s Who Among American Law Students.” Prior to law school, Charles attended the University of North Carolina where he majored in Business Administration.
*Cases or matters referenced do not represent the attorney’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- Author, “Death Claim Series – How Are the Benefits to be Distributed?” (March, 2022)
- Author, “Death Claim Series – To Whom Are the Benefits Owed?” (February, 2022)
- Presenter, “Now What? Early Trends in NC Extended Benefits Cases” (January, 2022)
- Author, “Death Claim Series – What Benefits Are Owed?” (December, 2021)
- Author, “Death Claim Series – Whether the Accident or Occupational Disease Caused the Resulting Death” (November, 2021)
- Author, “Death Claim Series – Whether the Underlying Accident or Occupational Disease is Compensable” (October, 2021)
- Presenter, Workers’ Compensation Death Claims Webinar (June, 2021)
- Author, “Vested Interest: How Shifts in Interest Rates are Affecting the Value of Workers’ Compensation Death Claims” (May, 2020)
Most Recent Posts
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Five attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2024 Ones to Watch.… Read More
The Court of Appeals Issues a New Opinion on the Requirements for Extended Benefits Beyond 500 Weeks
IN BETTS V. NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES – CHERRY HOSPITAL (NO. COA22-324), THE NORTH CAROLINA COURT… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Volunteers Provide Legal Advice During NCBF Empower Hour
On June 1, 20 volunteers from Cranfill Sumner LLP provided legal service to individuals who are unable to afford it through the “NC Free Legal Answers” Empower Hour program with the North Carolina Bar Foundation.… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2023 Ones to Watch.… Read More
Death Claim Series – How are the Benefits to be Distributed?
Over the past several weeks, I have released a series of articles on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Death Claims. The… Read More
Death Claim Series – To Whom are the Benefits Owed?
Over the last several weeks, I have been releasing a series of articles on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Death Claims.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Announces New Partners
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Steven Bader (Raleigh), Stephen Bell (Wilmington) and Charles Hicks (Raleigh) have been named partners in the firm.… Read More
Death Claim Series – What benefits are owed?
Over the next several weeks I will be releasing a series of articles on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Death Claims. The… Read More
Death Claim Series – Whether the Accident or Occupational Disease Caused the Resulting Death
Over the next several weeks I will be releasing a series of articles on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Death Claims. … Read More
Death Claim Series – Whether the Underlying Accident or Occupational Disease is Compensable
Over the next several weeks I will be releasing a series of articles on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Death Claims. The… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2022 Ones to Watch.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Receive AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) today announced that Steven Bader, Paul Gessner, Charles Hicks, Q. Shanté Martin and Nick Valaoras have received AV® Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Volunteer for Legal Aid Eviction Project
In May 2020, Legal Aid of North Carolina launched an effort to help North Carolinians who were struggling to pay rent and were facing eviction. Legal Aid paired available emergency financial support with a search for volunteer attorneys from across the state who could help negotiate past and future payments with landlords.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” Recognition
Six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently named among the Best Lawyers® 2021 Ones to Watch. (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)… Read More
“Vested Interest”
How Shifts in Interest Rates are Affecting the Value of Workers’ Compensation Death Claims Interest rates affect many aspects of… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Participates in Kick it 4 Kids
Attorneys and friends of Cranfill Sumner LLP joined other members of the business community for the WakeMed Kick it 4 Kids Kickball Tournament on July 21.… Read More
Charles Hicks Joins Cranfill Sumner Raleigh Office
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Charles Hicks has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as an associate attorney in the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group.… Read More