The Industrial Commission and Court of Appeals decided a case recently that reiterates the potential exposures employers face when they clincher a claim with a current employee. While this practice is necessary in certain cases, there can be future exposures to the employer despite their best intentions to resolve any and all aspects of…
Mitigating the Compensability of Work-From-Home Injuries Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many private employers transitioned to remote work options. Although some businesses have brought employees back to the office, or created a post-Covid hybrid work arrangement, the vast number of private employees whose work is primarily performed on a computer continue to work from home.…
Defense Counsel Perspective: Five Tips for Preparing for Mediation It remains a popular preference for plaintiffs and plaintiffs’ attorneys to attend mediation virtually despite the default rule at the Commission being in-person mediations. From the defense counsel perspective, virtual mediations can prove more difficult than in-person mediations for several reasons. First, it is easier to…
News from NCIC- New Integrated Case Management System The North Carolina Industrial Commission announced Wednesday, January 31st that its new integrated case management system will go live for external users in late February of 2024. The NCIC website stated that “…external users will be able to make a variety of requests electronically, including requests for…
Philip A. Baddour was confirmed by the General Assembly to serve a second term as a commissioner. The 28th Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference will be held October 4 through 6, 2023 at the Raleigh Convention Center. New Mediation Rules Regarding Participation The Supreme Court of North Carolina has approved amendments…
Amber May appointed as the NCIC’s Chief Operating Office Effective June 1, 2023 The Industrial Commission announced that Amber May will serve as its Chief Operating Officer effective June 1, 2023. May currently serves as the Commission’s General Counsel, having returned to the Commission in March of 2022 after eight years as Rules Review Commission…
Starting February 20, 2023, the Industrial Commission will begin emailing Report of Mediator fee invoices at the time the mediator is appointed. This new procedure will not impact the fee’s due date but is being introduced in an effort to allow additional time for processing and payment. The $200 fee can be paid either online…
Carolyn J. Thompson Appointed to Serve as Deputy Commissioner Carolyn J. Thompson was appointed to serve as a Deputy Commissioner and her term began on January 2, 2023. Thompson previously served as a District Court judge and then a Resident Superior Court judge in the 9th Judicial District of North Carolina for a total of…
Revised Guidelines for In-Person Industrial Commission Hearings The Industrial Commission has revised its in-person hearing guidelines to reflect the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In-Person Deputy Commissioner Hearing Guidelines Any person with symptoms of COVID-19 who has not had a COVID-19 viral test following onset of symptoms shall not attend…
On July 26, 2022, the Full Commission issued another extended benefits decision, Messick v. Walmart Stores, Inc. The panel consisted of Vice-Chair Griffin, Commissioner Taylor and Commissioner Goodman. In this case, the Full Commission awarded the claimant extended benefits. The issue of extended benefits was not an issue at the Deputy Commissioner level. The Deputy…