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SUMWALT ANDERSON LAW FIRM, CHARLOTTE ATTORNEYS FOR YOUR LEGAL NEEDS

Sumwalt Anderson in Charlotte assists clients in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and wrongful death cases. Our knowledgeable attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience delivering successful results in the area of injury law.

We are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers and individuals in North Carolina and compassionately aiding families who have lost loved ones. The high-quality representation we proudly provide is tailored to the specific needs of clients and the unique circumstances of their cases. While our legal guidance varies based on each individual situation, our commitment to respectful representation never changes. We always treat our clients, professional peers, and legal adversaries with dignity and courtesy.

Understanding your unique situation is our first step toward securing the help you need. Showing dignity and respect starts with listening with patience, making your needs a priority, and getting you help. Let’s Get Started.

Charlotte NC Law Office, Sumwalt Anderson

Mark Sumwalt is not only a fabulous attorney, he’s actually one of the most respected lawyers in the entire state. He is the former President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Mark and his firm regularly take on difficult, yet important cases in North Carolina. He is a “lawyer’s lawyer.”

– FELLOW CHARLOTTE ATTORNEY

Workers' Compensation Lawyers in Charlotte NC

Workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits to North Carolinians who are injured or become ill due to their jobs. Generally, companies with three or more employees are required to carry it. For qualifying employees, workers’ comp pays for medical bills, some lost wages and other benefits.

It doesn’t pay, though, for less-measurable losses, such as pain and suffering. With some exceptions, you also typically can’t sue outside of the workers’ comp system. We’ll advise you about filing for benefits and other help you may be able to get.

WORKERS’ COMP

Who Qualifies?

Employees who are injured in workplace accidents or who become ill due to their jobs can apply for workers’ comp. There are some exceptions to exactly who qualifies. For example, domestic workers, some farm and agricultural workers and independent contractors aren’t usually eligible. Most employees of companies with three or more workers qualify. But there are cases where companies misclassify workers as independent contractors in an attempt to avoid paying benefits. If you believe you were misclassified, we can investigate and work to get you benefits.

Types of Benefits?

Workers’ comp benefits include payment of medical costs for work-related injuries or illnesses. In some cases, attendant care may be ordered by doctors when injured workers need help with basic activities of daily life. Mileage reimbursement to and from medical appointments may be covered. Wage-replacement benefits are paid at two-thirds of a person’s average weekly salary. In cases where workers can’t return to their former jobs, vocational training benefits might be provided.

About our Firm

If you were hurt in an accident caused by negligence, you have the right to bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. In a successful claim, you could get compensation for your doctor bills, lost time at work, pain and suffering and other damages.

Liable parties in personal injury claims can include motor vehicle drivers, product manufacturers, property owners and others whose careless or dangerous behavior causes injury accidents. Once we accept your case, we’ll work hard to prove liability.

PERSONAL INJURY

Car Accidents

Car crashes and other motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common reasons for personal injury claims. Distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding and other careless and dangerous behaviors behind the wheel cause over 100,000 injuries and more than 1,000 deaths annually in the state, North Carolina Department of Transportation statistics show. It’s wise to speak with an attorney right away after an injury car accident to help ensure that your interests are protected.

Work Injuries

In some work injury cases, injured employees can file personal injury claims in addition to getting workers’ compensation. If a third party who was not your direct employer contributed to the accident that caused your injury, you may be able to get compensation from that party. Third parties could include a contractor at a worksite whose negligence caused an accident, a manufacturer whose defective tool or other equipment caused an injury, or even another driver who caused a crash while you were driving on work-related business.

About our Firm

If you’ve tragically lost a loved one in a negligent accident or through the wrongful actions of another person, you may be able to get compensation through a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death claims are civil actions to compensate survivors for their family member’s loss. They can be filed even if criminal charges are also being brought against the responsible person.

In North Carolina, the personal representative of the person who died brings the claim on behalf of surviving family members and the estate.

WRONGFUL DEATH

Damages in Claims

There are a variety of damages that can be recovered in wrongful death claims. They include payment for medical expenses and funeral and burial costs. Compensation for the person’s pain and suffering before death can be pursued, as well as lost income if the person was a financial provider. When a close family member dies, you lose the love, companionship and support they gave you. These types of losses can also be sought in a wrongful death claim. If a party’s actions in causing the death were particularly bad, punitive damages may be pursued. Punitive damages are meant to punish at-fault parties and stop similar behavior in the future.

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Our Clients & Their Results

NOTEWORTHY CLIENT CASES: WORKERS’ COMPENSATION & PERSONAL INJURY

$14 Million Recovered – Medical Malpractice – Permanent Brain Injury – Medical Error

$14,000,000 recovered on behalf of a child who sustained a permanent brain injury as the result of a medication error.

$9 Million Recovered – Personal Injury – Traumatic Brain Injury – Motor Vehicle Accident

$9,000,000 recovered on behalf of a young woman who sustained a catastrophic brain injury as the result of an automobile collision with a large commercial vehicle.

$5.25 Million Recovered – Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation – Severe Burns – Attendant Care

$5,257,000 recovered on behalf of a gentleman who was injured when a mislabeled stack of batteries exploded while at work.

$5.2 Million Recovered – Personal Injury & Workers’ Compensation – Traumatic Brain Injury – Attendant Care

$5,200,000 recovered on behalf of a young woman who sustained catastrophic injuries when she was involved in an automobile accident involving a tractor-trailer truck while she was on the job.

$4.77 Million Recovered – Medical Malpractice – Permanent Brain Injury – Anesthesia Error

$4,775,000 recovered for a young woman following the mismanagement of her epidural during childbirth at a small, rural hospital in North Carolina.

$3.37 Million Recovered – Personal Injury – Tire Defect – Motor Vehicle Accident

$3,375,000 recovered on behalf of a husband and wife who sustained serious injuries in a rollover accident in New Mexico.

$2.7 Million Recovered – Workers’ Compensation – Electrocution – Attendant Care

$2,700,000 Recovered on behalf of a gentleman who was working as a vinyl window installer on a metal ladder when the ladder struck a live electrical wire.

$2.7 Million Recovered – Workers’ Compensation – Paraplegia – Attendant Care

$2,700,000 recovered for a gentleman who was rendered a paraplegic due to a spinal fracture after falling from a roof in the course and scope of his employment as a construction worker.

SEE ALL EXAMPLE CASES

Legal Team

Lawyer Mark Sumwalt
MARK SUMWALT
Attorney Richard Anderson, Charlotte NC
Richard Anderson
Charlotte Attorney Lauren Walker
Lauren Walker
Sumwalt Anderson Law Firm
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SUMWALT ANDERSON TEAM

Values-Driven Law Firm

INTEGRITY IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

The philosophy of our Charlotte law firm is to “pay it forward.” To our attorneys and dedicated staff, paying it forward means putting our extensive experience and legal knowledge to work to help people facing adversity. We don’t back down in standing up for the rights of the injured clients we represent or for the families of those who have lost loved ones.

But while we work assertively to get our clients the best outcomes, we do it in a way that is respectful toward everyone involved. When you work with our firm, you will receive legal services that are responsive, conscientious and effective. Whether you need help with a workers’ comp claim or with a personal injury or wrongful death suit, you can trust us to be on your side. Call our Charlotte law firm today at (704) 377-3770 to arrange a free consultation.

  • Why should I hire your law firm for my case?

    Our skillful attorneys are on the side of injured people, not of insurance companies. We have a well-respected reputation for successfully taking on insurers that try to take advantage of people who have been hurt at work or in other accidents. When you hire us to handle your important case, you can trust us to work with you ethically and compassionately and to work hard for your interests throughout every step in your case.

  • How can you help with my workers’ compensation claim?

    Employers and their insurers don’t always make it easy to get workers’ comp benefits. Small errors on your claim paperwork can result in your claim being denied. We can help you submit your claim to ensure all necessary information is included. If your claim is being delayed, we will follow up on your behalf. And if your claim is denied, we will represent you on appeal to the North Carolina Industrial Commission and throughout any other possible steps in the appeals process.

  • What are the steps in a personal injury or wrongful death claim?

    When we take on your case, we will carefully examine all the evidence involved. Evidence can include medical reports, police reports, workplace reports, eyewitness statements, photographs, video and other information, depending on the circumstances involved. We may identify expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction experts and others to testify on your behalf. We’ll work to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If that isn’t successful, we’ll advise you about going to trial.

  • How much can I get in a legal claim?

    Compensation in legal claims can range from the tens of thousands into the hundreds of thousands. If you’ve looked at the sample cases we’ve handled, you’ll see payment can even reach into the millions. How much you could get depends on all the factors of your unique case. When we learn about all of your damages, we’ll establish a value range that we believe is a fair amount for you to ask for. Then we will fight to get you every penny that you are entitled to for your losses.

  • Will I have to testify in court if I file a lawsuit?

    Not necessarily. Cases can often be settled with insurers through negotiations outside of the courtroom. There is no guarantee, though, that you won’t have to testify. If the insurer doesn’t offer you a fair settlement amount, proceeding to trial may be the only chance you have to get the money you need. If that happens in your case, we’ll make sure you are well prepared to testify. It’s important to note that our trial attorneys always prepare as if we are going to court. This benefits clients’ cases because insurers know we are ready to go to court if needed, so many settle to avoid the time and expense of a trial.