Gastonia Workers’ Comp Lawyer

Richard Anderson is passionate about fighting for workplace injury victims who’d otherwise get lost in the shuffle. As a native Charlottean and proven trial lawyer, he’s intimately familiar with North Carolina workers’ comp law – and how to leverage it on your behalf.

Mark Sumwalt’s history of litigating successful workers’ compensation cases in North Carolina spans decades. In addition to pursuing hundreds of cases to decision and filing numerous appeals, he’s pushed for changes to the way the law works on behalf of his clients.

Our Gastonia, NC, workers’ comp attorneys are devoted to furthering your cause. No matter whether your case ends up before a trial court, appellate court, the state supreme court, or the NCIC, we’ll be with you to the end.

The impacts of our diligence aren’t just theoretical: We’ve actually won cases that changed the law for the better.

We’ve also recovered notable sums for injured workers. We won $2.3 million on behalf of an employee who hurt his back and became unable to work or care for himself after slipping on ice. When a nurse developed chronic pain following a serious attack by a patient, we secured a $2.1 million settlement.

Our workers’ comp lawyers in Gastonia, NC, can help determine whether you’ve been properly classified as an employee

When you get hurt at work, your employer ought to be your ally in helping you recover. After all, they may bear some responsibility based on how they ran your workplace. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out the way they ideally should.

Your employer may actively work against you. For instance, they might try to deny your claim by saying you’re not technically an employee. Filing a claim can get even more complicated if you’re a minor, undocumented worker, or independent contractor.

When your employment status gets called into question, our Gastonia workers’ comp lawyers are ready to defend your rights. We have the first-hand experience required to dig into the facts and determine your correct employment classification under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act (NCGS §97-19) so that you can pursue an appropriate resolution.

Workers’ compensation insurance provides different remedies and options for contractors, subcontractors, and other types of workers. No matter what kind of job you held at the time of your injury, we’ll work hard to clarify what comes next and show why you deserve workers’ compensation insurance payments for your medical bills and lost wages.

When your employer accuses you of negligence, Sumwalt Anderson can help.

Another way your employer might try to deny your claim is by saying that your injury occurred as a result of your own negligence. For instance, they might declare that you were high on drugs or drunk so that they won’t have to take responsibility.

Even though the Workers’ Compensation Act (NCGS §97-12) lays out specific rules regarding intoxicated employees who suffer workplace injuries, your boss doesn’t get the final say. Our Gastonia workers’ comp lawyers will work tirelessly to find facts showing you didn’t have alcohol or drugs in your system at the time of the accident.

Let us help you show that you weren’t behaving in an irresponsible manner that might bar your claim. If your accident at work wasn’t your fault, you can depend on us to help you build a case proving that you were just an innocent victim.

Our Gastonia workers’ compensation attorneys can walk you through the claims process.

We truly understand what you’re going through. You were just trying to do your job.  It’s not as if you wanted to get injured, let alone have to file a workers’ comp claim.

Falling prey to a workplace accident adds significant strain to your life. Bills can mount as your income falls during the recovery period while you can’t work.

Expenses that you used to take in stride quickly become overwhelming. Even worse, you’ll likely have to take on more financial burdens, including footing the bill for the medical treatments that are now your best hope of getting your career and life back on track.

Many of the costs of workplace injuries are invisible – it’s tough to put a number on the pain and added mental strain victims struggle with daily. These factors impact everything you do, compounding your other problems.

Workers’ compensation is meant to give you payments that offset all of the burdens that life has thrown in your lap. For the program to work as it should, however, you need to do your part.

Filing a claim demands that you jump through many hoops. From submitting detailed documentation to gathering evidence and meeting deadlines, it’s quite an involved process. If you misstep, your once-promising claim might get denied solely on technical grounds.

When you’re taking medication, dealing with head injuries, or simply fighting through pain, you may have trouble remembering all of the deadlines – to say nothing of filling out the paperwork correctly.

Our Gastonia workers’ comp lawyers can assist you with every step. We believe you deserve the breathing room you need to stay focused on your recovery, and we’re honored to help you build a stronger legal support system.

Our Gastonia workers’ comp lawyers can fight your claim denial by filing an appeal.

Your claim might not be approved the first time, but this doesn’t mean you have to call it quits. If you receive a denial, you can notify the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) of your intention to appeal by requesting a hearing.

Our team can represent you at your appeal mediation conference, even if your injury makes it hard for you to attend. We’ll present evidence to argue that your claim shouldn’t have been denied and work with the mediator to reach a settlement with the workers’ comp insurance company.

If this doesn’t work, there are options — namely, attending a hearing before a judge or deputy commissioner. Again, we’ll present evidence on your behalf upon which the deputy commissioner will base his ruling.

Whether you’ve already filed an appeal or don’t know the first thing about the claims process, we can represent you. The Sumwalt Anderson team is eager to protect your rights, so call us today at 704-377-3770 for a free consultation.

What kind of compensation could I receive?

Our Gastonia workers’ comp lawyers strive to help you secure the best possible results. Although it depends on the situation, your settlement might include compensation such as:

WAGE LOSS BENEFITS

If your injury left you unable to work, you might be awarded a percentage of the income you were earning at your job. This is not a full replacement for your income, and most victims receive about two-thirds of their normal pay. Nonetheless, it can help you cover your day-to-day expenses.

We work to ensure you receive the maximum wage loss benefits no matter what kind of compensation you formerly received. Our goal is to ensure your settlement accounts for as much as possible, including standard and irregular types of pay, such as hourly wages, commissions, salaries, and performance bonuses.

COMPENSATION FOR MEDICAL COSTS

Recovery can be a lengthy process. Workers’ comp may help you offset the costs of medically necessary care such as:

• Appointments for general care and pain relief,
• Surgeries and emergency care,
• Prescription medication,
• Diagnoses and second opinions,
• Equipment for physical therapy and day-to-day care, and
• Disability recovery.

Each case is special. That’s why our workers’ comp lawyers in North Carolina strive to help you get a settlement that fits your needs.

PERMANENT INJURY BENEFITS

Some forms of harm, such as traumatic brain injuries and limb amputations, are so severe that they result in disabilities. These injuries may leave you unable to work, so seeking disability payments could be your best option for protecting your family finances.

The problem is that it’s not always easy to obtain a proper diagnosis of disability. The workers’ compensation insurance company or doctor might not agree with your opinion that your injuries are permanent and disabling. Sumwalt Anderson is ready to help you fight for the disability benefits you should receive.

You deserve better after a brain or spinal injury

The side effects of a workplace incident that affects your spine or brain can be severe. It’s difficult to recover when your injury hinders everything from handling your daily affairs to trying to return to work.

Brain and spinal injury victims face astronomical medical bills and permanent life changes. Our Gastonia, NC, worker’s compensation lawyers are here to guide your claim forward even if you lack the presence of mind to manage it yourself.