Charles Hicks

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 – 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)