An Historical Analysis of North Carolina’s Extended Benefits Cap and Potential Constitutional Challenges to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29

Elizabeth Ligon
Workers' Compensation

The 1972 Report of the National Commission on State Workmen’s Compensation Laws and the Elimination of North Carolina’s Cap on Extended Benefits Created in 1929 as a compromise between the state’s employers and its workers, the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act originally contained a 400-week cap on indemnity benefits. On July 31, 1972, the National…

Deputy Commissioner Issues Opinion and Award in Extended Benefits Case, Tapper v. Penske Logistics, LLC

Elizabeth Ligon
Workers' Compensation

On October 7, 2021, Deputy Commissioner Wes Saunders issued an Opinion and Award in Tapper v. Penske Logistics, LLC, awarding the claimant extended benefits. This is the seventh decision on extended benefits that has been issued at the Deputy Commissioner level. By way of background, the claimant sustained two compensable injuries to his back while…

How Will Layoffs Due to COVID-19 Affect a Claimant’s Entitlement to Workers’ Compensation Indemnity Benefits?

Elizabeth Ligon and Bruce Hamilton
COVID-19, Workers' Compensation

While the North Carolina Industrial Commission has not yet issued any decisions specifically related to COVID-19, there are prior cases that have considered whether a claimant is entitled to indemnity benefits when their disability is the result of economic conditions. In general, when a claimant’s disability is due to an economic downturn, rather than a…

Implications of Recent Case Law on the Exclusive Remedy Doctrine

Bruce Hamilton and Elizabeth Ligon
Workers' Compensation

The North Carolina Court of Appeals recently released two decisions that impact the state’s exclusive remedy doctrine. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-10.1, the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act provides an exclusive remedy for unintentional work-related injuries. This provision affords North Carolina employers “limited” liability and allows employers to more accurately calculate their exposures, unlike…

North Carolina Court of Appeals Issues Decisions Analyzing Disability Post-Wilkes

Elizabeth Ligon and Courtney Britt
Workers' Compensation

The Court of Appeals recently released two decisions that analyzed issues relating to disability – specifically, the burden of proving futility – post-Wilkes v. City of Greenville. In Adame v. Aerotek, an unpublished decision, Plaintiff sustained a low back injury in June 2013. After receiving conservative treatment with multiple doctors, Plaintiff was ultimately released with…

North Carolina Court of Appeals Rules Drug Test, Background Check Constitutes “Last Act” Necessary to Create Employment Contract

Elizabeth Ligon and Bruce Hamilton
Workers' Compensation

In Holmes v. Associate Pipe Line Contractors, Inc., the Court of Appeals determined that post-offer contingencies, such as background checks and drug testing, constitute the “last act” necessary to create a contract of employment. On October 29, 2013, Plaintiff, who was living in North Carolina, was contacted via telephone by a union representative and offered…