Our workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated exclusively to the representation of employers and their insurers. We handle claims at every stage, including administrative motions, Form 24 hearings, mediations, and full evidentiary hearings. We also handle appeals before the Industrial Commission, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina Supreme Court.

In addition to managing your workers’ compensation claims, we:

  • Protect subrogation interests in third party claims
  • Defend Woodson and wrongful discharge lawsuits
  • Implement proactive hiring measures to prepare for possible defenses to workers’ compensation claims, including misrepresentation
  • Work with our Employment Law Practice Group to coordinate defenses of employment law claims involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and discrimination

We understand you have a large volume of claims to manage at any given time. That’s why we’re responsive to your needs and get you the information you need, exactly when you need it.

Stay current on workers’ comp issues

We’ll keep you advised of changes in the law through monthly emailsas well as seminars and continuing education programs. Our CSH Annual Seminar, held every November in Raleigh, provides North Carolina adjusters with six hours of continuing education credit at no cost. Our attorneys can also travel to your office to conduct continuing education seminars.

Contact an attorney about workers’ compensation

Our offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington allow the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group to cost-effectively represent clients statewide. For more information, contact:

Raleigh: Taylor Pace

Charlotte: Andy Avram


Most Recent Posts

  News

Alisha Harris Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Alisha Harris has joined the firm’s Charlotte office as an associate attorney.  She will focus her practice in Workers’ Compensation law.… Read More

  News

Brittany Griffin Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

Headshot of Brittany Griffin.

Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Brittany Griffin has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as a Paralegal. She will support Jennifer Morris Jones in the Risk Management and Workers’ Compensation Practice Group.… Read More

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Our Top 10 Resources of 2022

Throughout the year, Cranfill Sumner LLP’s attorneys work diligently to bring the most up-to-date information on North Carolina legal updates… Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Wins 2022 Comp Laude® Award

Jennifer Morris Jones poses with her husband while holding the 2022 Comp Laude Defense Attorney trophy.

Jennifer Morris Jones, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been awarded a 2022 Comp Laude® Award presented by WorkCompCentral. She was recognized in the Defense Attorney category. She received the award during the 2022 WorkCompCentral Comp Laude Awards and Gala.… Read More

  News

CSH Law Attorneys Lead WCDI Breakout Sessions

Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys attended and participated in the recent Multi-State Breakout Sessions for the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute during the 2022 WCI Annual Conference. The theme for the breakout sessions was “CSI: Orlando Special Claims Investigation” and focused on navigating a workers’ compensation injury investigation. … Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Presents at WCDI Webinar

Jennifer Morris Jones served as a presenter during the June 3 webinar “Cracking the Case in Your State.” The webinar discussed updates to workers’ compensation law in multiple states and provided tips for handling such cases in those states. The states discussed included Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.… Read More

  News

Cranfill Sumner Hosts Workers’ Compensation Webinar

On March 17, Cranfill Sumner hosted the “Back to the Future: 30+ Years of Workers’ Compensation Claim Handling Perspectives” webinar.  The webinar was hosted by Jordan Bernstein and featured presentations by Andy Avram and Taylor Pace.… Read More

  News

CSH Law Welcomes New Attorneys

Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) announced today that Coltrane Henderson, Kayla McDaniel, Austin Sistrunk, Ani Whittington and Ella Zulman have joined the firm’s Charlotte and Wilmington offices as associate attorneys.… Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Presents at CLM Conference

Workers' Compensation Injury Claim Form

On May 14, Jennifer Morris Jones presented at the CLM Virtual Workers’ Compensation and Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Conference.  Along with professionals from the insurance and workers’ compensation industries, Jennifer participated in a panel discussion entitled “Workers’ Compensation Claims and Litigation Management in the Age of Technology.”… Read More

  News

CSH Law Attorneys Present at WCDI Webinar

Attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP participated in the April 30 Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute (WCDI) webinar entitled, “Tips From the Trenches.” David Rhoades presented at the webinar, and Jennifer Morris Jones served as moderator.… Read More

  News

CSH Law Attorneys Participate in NCBA CLE

Dawn Lane and Roy Pettigrew, Partners at CSH Law, participated in the “Advanced Topics of Workers’ Compensation (2020 Workers’ Compensation Section Fall CLE)” presented by the North Carolina Bar Association NCBA Workers’ Compensation Section.  … Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Featured in Risk and Insurance Magazine

On June 16, Jennifer Morris Jones participated in a virtual panel discussion sponsored by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. The panel, “Age of Technology — Managing Workers’ Compensation Claims and Litigation Today,” is featured in the latest edition of Risk and Insurance Magazine.… Read More

  News

Cranfill Sumner LLP Awards Three 2020 Core Value Awards

Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) has awarded the 2020 Cranfill Sumner Core Value Award to Christine Colangelo, Katie Laymon, and Robin Terry. Cranfill Sumner presents the award annually to one or more individuals in the firm who best exemplify the firm’s core values of client service, reputation, and teamwork.… Read More

  Post

“Vested Interest”

Employee Salary & Compensation Word Cloud

How Shifts in Interest Rates are Affecting the Value of Workers’ Compensation Death Claims Interest rates affect many aspects of… Read More

  News

Dawn Lane Presents at NCBA Workers Compensation Seminar

Dawn Lane, an attorney at Cranfill Sumner & Hartog LLP (Cranfill Sumner), was a co-presenter at the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) Workers’ Compensation Law Section meeting on Dec. 4. The event was held at the NCBA Bar Center in Cary.… Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Leads Legislative Update Webinar

Work Injury Claim Form

Jennifer Morris Jones led a “North Carolina Legislative Update” webinar on Oct. 3.  The webinar, which was offered through WorkCompCentral, examined the importance of determining whether a worker’s compensation claim may be ripe for an extended compensation petition pursuant to N.C.G.S. INSERT SECTION SYMBOL 97-29(c), as well as key considerations and potential strategies for pursuing or challenging petitions for extended compensation. … Read More

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Realizing Retiree Comp Rates

When using an AWW from employment other than that which caused the injury is actually appropriate. Plaintiff was last injuriously exposed to asbestos… Read More

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Didn’t (c) That Coming?

Attorney Fees Fixed in NC Workers’ Compensation Claim It is little wonder that most defendants are unfamiliar with N.C. Gen.… Read More

  News

Amy Pfeiffer Presents at NCBA Workers’ Compensation CLE

Work Injury Claim typed with typewriter

On Nov. 30, Amy Pfeiffer served as a presenter for “The Assembly Line of Workers’ Compensation (2018 Basics of Workers’ Compensation Program)” at the North Carolina Bar Center in Cary. She presented on the topic of “Is it Compensable? Injury by Accident and Occupational Disease Claims.” The conference was planned by the North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section and covered the fundamental steps of a typical workers’ compensation claim.… Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Participates in WCI Give Kids the World Service Day

paper people chain

On Aug. 18, Jennifer Morris Jones joined attendees of the WCI 2018 conference for the 2018 WCI Give Kids the World Service Day.  Give Kids The World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.… Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones to Moderate WCI 2018 Panel

On Aug. 21, Jennifer Morris Jones will moderate a panel discussion at the WCI 2018 Conference in Orlando. The one-hour panel discussion begins at 10 a.m. and will focus on “New Waves In Medical Treatment: Perspectives On Challenges And Out-Of-The Box Approaches To Management Of Opioids, Marijuana And Telemedicine In Workers’ Compensation Claims.”… Read More

  News

Katelyn Babson Appointed AWWC Ambassador

Katelyn Babson | Workers' Comp Attorney Raleigh

Katelyn Babson, an attorney in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently nominated to serve as the Ambassador for the Triangle Chapter of the Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation (AWWC).  She was appointed to the position in April 2018. … Read More

  News

Jerri Simmons To Serve as Vice Chair of NCADA Committee

NCADA Logo

Jerri Simmons, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently elected Vice Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee for the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA). Jerri’s one-year term began in June 2017.… Read More

  News

Matt Covington Featured in NC Lawyers Weekly

Gavel

Matt Covington, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently featured in the NC Lawyers Weekly article “Legislators move swiftly to override workers’ comp ruling.” Matt discusses a recent law that affects workers’ compensation in North Carolina and how the law will impact a recent state Supreme Court decision.… Read More

  News

Roy Pettigrew to Speak at NC Industrial Commission Conference

Workers' Compensation Injury Claim Form

Roy Pettigrew, an attorney in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, will speak at the North Carolina Industrial Commission’s 21st Annual Education Conference on Oct. 5. His presentation is entitled “Workers’ Compensation Subrogation: A Practitioner’s Viewpoint of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-10.2.”… Read More

  News

Cranfill Sumner Adds Paralegals to Raleigh Office

Board Room Raleigh

Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Emily Enojado and Millie Wooten have joined the firm as paralegals based in its Raleigh office. Emily and Millie will support the firm’s Worker’s Compensation Practice Group.… Read More

  News

Phillip Jefferson Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP

Phillip Jefferson | Raleigh Workers' Compensation Attorney

Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Phillip Jefferson has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as an associate attorney. Jefferson will practice in the Workers’ Compensation practice group.… Read More

  News

Cranfill Sumner to Host CE By the Sea

Questions and Answers street sign

On May 20, the Wilmington office of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) will host CE By the Sea. The half-day seminar will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Cranfill Sumner office in Wilmington. Complimentary CE Credit is available for Workers’ Comp Adjusters (3 hours) and Human Resources Professionals (3 hours – pending).… Read More

  Result

Mike Ricci Obtained Favorable Form 24 Decision for Termination of Plaintiff’s TTD

Case Results for NC Law

Mike Ricci obtained a favorable Form 24 Decision from the Commission. Defendants Form 24 sought termination of plaintiff’s TTD based on plaintiff’s release to return to work full duty. In addition, defendants cited plaintiff’s refusal to return to work with the employer, despite plaintiff’s contention he was unable to find suitable employment. The Industrial Commission approved the Form 24 and held that defendants were entitled to immediately terminate TTD, and awarded a credit for overpaid TTD.… Read More

  Result

Mike Ricci Obtained Favorable Form 24 Decision from Commission

Case Results for NC Law

Mike Ricci obtained a favorable Form 24 Decision from the Commission. Defendants Form 24 sought termination of plaintiff’s TTD on multiple grounds, including that plaintiff had been released to return to work full duty, and that plaintiff had refused suitable employment offered by the employer. The Industrial Commission approved the Form 24 and ruled defendants were entitled to terminate TTD and awarded a credit for overpaid TTD.… Read More

  Result

Mike Ricci Obtained Favorable Opinion in AWW Dispute

Case Results for NC Law

Mike Ricci obtained a favorable Opinion and Award from the Full Commission regarding an average weekly wage (AWW) dispute. Defendant-Insurer had filed a Form 60 accepting plaintiff’s claim and stipulating to an AWW based on initial reports of plaintiff’s wages, if he had been employed on a full time basis. However, subsequent investigation revealed plaintiff only picked up shifts as necessary, and was not a full time employee. The Full Commission found and concluded that plaintiff’s testimony regarding his employment history, earnings and jobs performed was not credible. Instead, the Commission agreed with defendants’ calculation of the AWW based on the employer’s testimony and the limited corresponding documentation. As a result, plaintiff’s AWW was amended and his TTD benefits were reduced from $306.27 to $30.00 per week.

Of note, as a result of prior litigation of this matter the Industrial Commission denied plaintiff’s claim for total knee replacement, and further held that plaintiff current condition and need for treatment were unrelated to the compensable injury. Therefore, defendants were not responsible for any ongoing medical treatment in connection with plaintiff’s compensable injuries.… Read More

  Result

Mike Ricci Obtains Favorable Opinion in Trip & Fall Case

Case Results for NC Law

Mike Ricci obtained a favorable Opinion and Award from the Industrial Commission in a claim where plaintiff sustained neck and arm injuries as a result of a trip and fall down a stairwell of the employer’s building. Defendants denied plaintiff’s claim on the basis that plaintiff’s injury did not arise out of or in the course of her employment as it occurred while plaintiff was leaving work for the day on a premises that was not owned, maintained or controlled by defendant-employer. The Industrial Commission agreed and plaintiff’s claim for benefits was denied. … Read More

  Result

Jennifer Morris Jones Obtained Favorable Opinion & Award in Rotator Cuff Tear Case

Case Results for NC Law

Jennifer Morris Jones obtained a favorable Opinion and Award from the Full Commission in a claim wherein a Plaintiff alleged she sustained a rotator cuff tear in her shoulder when a heavy door allegedly made contact with her arm. The Full Commission found and concluded that based on Plaintiff’s varied accounts of how the alleged incident occurred and when pain began, along with the improbability that the door could have made contact with Plaintiff’s arm as she alleges as she walked through, the Plaintiff failed to prove that she sustained an injury by accident. … Read More

  Result

Jennifer Morris Jones Obtained Opinion & Award in Accidental Knee Injury Case

Case Results for NC Law

Jennifer Morris Jones obtained a favorable Opinion and Award from the Industrial Commission in a claim wherein a Plaintiff alleged a knee injury by accident. Defendants denied the compensability of Plaintiff’s claim, and the Industrial Commission found and concluded that Plaintiff’s testimony regarding the mechanism and medical consequences of the alleged work place incident conflicted with the preponderance of the evidence, and Plaintiff’s claim for benefits was denied. … Read More

  Result

Jennifer Morris Jones Obtained Favorable Opinion & Award in Osteoarthritis Claim

Case Results for NC Law

Jennifer Morris Jones obtained a favorable Opinion and Award from the Full Commission in a claim wherein a Plaintiff alleged she developed an aggravation of osteoarthritis in her knee and deep vein thrombosis. Defendants successfully argued said conditions were not the result of an alleged accident in the work place, and Plaintiff’s claim for benefits was denied. … Read More

  Result

Robin Terry Persuaded Industrial Commission to Deny Claim

Case Results for NC Law

Robin Terry persuaded the Industrial Commission to deny a claim for injury-related benefits notwithstanding that there were unusual conditions in the work place on the date of the alleged injury which required Plaintiff to perform his job in a different manner.… Read More

  Result

Robin Terry Obtained Favorable Opinion & Award from NCIC

Case Results for NC Law

Robin Terry obtained a favorable Opinion and Award from the Industrial Commission in a claim wherein an Plaintiff alleged a supervisor had run over his foot with a piece of machinery. Although there were objective signs of an injury, Defendants successfully argued said conditions were not the result of an accident in the work place and Plaintiff’s claim for benefits was denied.… Read More

  News

Jennifer Morris Jones Speaks at DRI Annual Meeting

Jennifer Morris Jones | Workers' Compensation Attorney Raleigh

Jennifer Morris Jones, an attorney in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, will participate in a panel discussion entitled “Settlement of Medicare Eligible Workers’ Compensation Claims: Pitfalls and Practice Pointers.” The panel discussion will be held tomorrow as part of the DRI Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.… Read More

  News

Cranfill Sumner Attorneys to Speak at NCPRIMA Conference

People watching a presentation

Two attorneys in the Workers’ Compensation Practice Group of Cranfill Sumner LLP will be featured speakers at the 2015 North Carolina Public Risk Management Association (NCPRIMA) Educational Conference. Robin Hayes Terry will speak on a panel entitled “Managing Workers’ Compensation Claims: Before, During and After.” Brian Kromke will speak about “Social Media-Investigating & Defending Claims.”… Read More