Nick Valaoras is a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office where he has been practicing since 1993. His practice is focused exclusively on workers’ compensation defense representing employers and insurance carriers. He is also a Board Certified mediator in workers’ compensation cases. Nick is a problem solver who enjoys helping his clients identify which cases to defend and which to resolve. He is a strong advocate of mediation as a way to resolve and settle claims and his years of experience as a mediator have made him an effective negotiator. After growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Nick has called North Carolina home since attending both college and law school at Wake Forest University. A devoted husband and father, Nick also enjoys coaching youth sports, hiking and camping, and following politics and military history in his free time.
Nick has represented employers and workers’ compensation insurance carriers in evidentiary and appellate hearings before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, North Carolina Court of Appeals and North Carolina Supreme Court since 1993. Nick has experience in handling traumatic injury by accident cases, occupational disease, repetitive motion disorders, asbestosis, and permanent-total disability claims. He is active with the Workers’ Compensation Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and served as Section Council Member from 2010 – 2013 and serves on the Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP COVID-19 Response Team.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
- Nick is a frequent speaker at seminars before workers compensation insurance carriers, employers and rehabilitation professionals on various topics such as Medicare legislation, return to work procedures, occupational diseases, burdens of proof, disability and case law updates.
Most Recent Posts
Another COVID-19 Reality–Analysis of Potential WC and OSHA Claims for Employees Working from Home
With more people working from home than ever before it can be difficult to determine how to handle workers’ compensation… Read More
27 Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2021
Twenty-seven attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
CSH Law Launches COVID-19 Response Team
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) announced the creation of its COVID-19 Response Team. The team is comprised of… Read More
FAQ: How Does COVID-19 Affect Current WC Claims?
If a WC Claimant refuses medical treatment due to COVID-19 contamination fears, can benefits be cut off? Under NC Law… Read More
CSH Law Staff Members Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Members of the Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) offices participated in the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s 13th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 6.… Read More
31 Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2020
Thirty-one attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020(Copyright 2019 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Present at Carolinas AGC Conference
Brad Kline and Nick Valaoras served as featured presenters at the Carolinas AGC HR and Safety Conference on March 27. The conference was held March 27-29 at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach. … Read More
CSH Law Charlotte Volunteers at Men’s Shelter
Last week, members of the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP recently served 300+ lunches at the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Charlotte Metro region. The organization operates two shelters in Charlotte including more than 400 beds and also provides counseling and training to help occupants find employment and housing.… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Participated at 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Attorneys from the offices of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 12thAnnual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 1.… Read More
32 Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2019
Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 (Copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).… Read More
4ALL Statewide Service Day
Attorneys from the offices of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 11th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 2.… Read More
33 Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America© 2018
Thirty-three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018 (Copyright 2017 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Eight attorneys were selected for inclusion in the list for the first time.… Read More
Attorneys Speak at CLM Education Event
Nick Valaoras and Lee Poole, attorneys in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, will be featured speakers at the 2015 Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Western North Carolina Chapter Educational and Networking Event. The event is scheduled for today at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge in Charlotte. Nick and Lee will be speaking on defense and settlement strategies for workers’ compensation and civil liability cases involving chronic pain management issues.… Read More
Employers: Is Your Company Social Putting You at Risk?
The arrival of summer marks the end of another school year and the anticipation of beach vacations, backyard cookouts, and… Read More
Attorneys to Speak at ABC Construction Conference
John Ong, Pat Flanagan and Nick Valaoras will be the featured speakers at a panel discussion for the Associated Builders… Read More
CSH Law Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Ten attorneys from CSH Law provided vital legal advice and resources in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day.… Read More
Nick Valaoras Publishes Article on Workers’ Comp Mediation in NC
CSH Law Charlotte attorney, is published in the Course & Scope, an e-newsletter for the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) Workers Compensation Section… Read More