Vernon Sumwalt

Top rated Workers' Compensation attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina

The Sumwalt Group Workers' Comp and Trial Lawyers
Vernon Sumwalt
The Sumwalt Group Workers' Comp and Trial Lawyers

Practice Areas: Workers' Compensation, Appellate, General Litigation; view more

Licensed in North Carolina since: 1998

Education: University of South Carolina School of Law

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2024 Selected to Rising Stars: 2009
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The Sumwalt Group Workers' Comp and Trial Lawyers

1213 West Morehead Street
The Refinery, Suite 521
Charlotte, NC 28208 Visit website

Details

Vernon Sumwalt is an attorney with The Sumwalt Group in Charlotte, North Carolina. A top-rated lawyer with 25 years of experience, Mr. Sumwalt focuses his practice primarily on workers' compensation claims and complex injury claims. He focuses on third-party actions arising from workplace safety violations, as well as other serious personal injury and wrongful death claims on a select basis, and handles appeals from the cases he has tried.

Serving clients throughout North Carolina and South Carolina from his home base in Charlotte, Mr. Sumwalt has assisted numerous clients across the Carolinas with obtaining their rightful compensation following debilitating injuries on the job that left them unable to work. Among his impressive list of legal credentials, Mr. Sumwalt holds board certifications in appellate practice and workers' compensation law from the North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization, and he has gained a reputation as a tireless advocate for his clients both inside and outside of the courtroom.

Honored for his impeccable professionalism and exceptional legal abilities, Mr. Sumwalt has earned recognition from many organizations and has received many other top rankings and endorsements from his peers. He also received numerous testimonials and referrals from his satisfied clients.

A 1994 graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Sumwalt obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1998. He holds his licenses to practice in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

A leader in his legal community, Mr. Sumwalt is a Past President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and he is an active member of the American Association for Justice and other local, state and national legal organizations.

Practice areas

Workers' Compensation: Claimant, Appellate, General Litigation, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Social Security Disability

Focus areas

Appeals, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Litigation, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death

  • 60% Workers' Compensation: Claimant
  • 10% Appellate
  • 10% General Litigation
  • 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
  • 10% Social Security Disability

First Admitted: 1998, North Carolina

Professional Webpage: https://www.sumwaltgrouplaw.com/attorneys/vernon-sumwalt

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • [UPCOMING 2023] W. Barnes, A. Cox, G. McGriff, E. Scott-Moise, V. Sumwalt, and H. Wilson, The Law of Automobile Insurance In South Carolina (8th edition, South Carolina Bar (c) 2023)
  • UPCOMING: Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workplace Torts and Workers' Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 2, 2022)
  • With Bruce Hamilton.  "Case Law Update and JeoParody!"  North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 14, 2022)
  • With Jay Gervasi.  "Workers' Compensation Update."  2022 Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 17, 2022) (Charlotte, North Carolina)
  • Moderator and Appellate Case Law Update, Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (virtual presentation on December 3, 2021)
  • With Paul McCoy.  “Challenges Faced on Both Sides of a Claim.”  The Basics of Workers’ Compensation Law: 2021 Workers’ Compensation Fall Program (North Carolina Bar Association, virtual presentation, November 5, 2021)
  • With Bruce Hamilton.  “Case Law Update.”  North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 8, 2021)
  • With Jay Gervasi. Workers' Compensation Appellate Case Update, 2021 Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 10, 2021, virtual presentation)
  • With Heidi Chapman.  “When Death Claims Don’t Die.”  Workers’ Compensation 2021: Quirky Issues in Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Virtual CLE, September 10, 2021)
  • With Jay Gervasi.  Workers’ Compensation Appellate Case Update, 2021 Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 10, 2021, virtual presentation)
  • “Legal and Evidentiary Standards of Disability (Are There Any Presumptions Left?),” 26th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Virtual Conference in North Carolina, April 9, 2021)
  • “Handling a Workers’ Compensation Claim when Third-Party Liability is Involved: Issues that Can and Will Arise,” 2020 Paralegal Fall Conference (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 9, 2020)
  • V. Sumwalt, editor and author, Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers’ Compensation (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2022 ed.)
  • V. Johnson and K. Bunn (editors), North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim (LEXIS-NEXIS® 4th ed. 2022) (Chapter 13, “Credits under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act”)
  • With Bruce Hamilton. “Case Law Update,” 24th Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 4, 2019)
  • “Uncompromising the Great Compromise of Workers’ Compensation—New Routes Around the Exclusive Remedy Doctrine,” Southern Trial Lawyers Association Convention (New Orleans, Louisiana, February 24, 2020)
  • With Richard Harper, Jerri Simmons, and Jeff Kadis.  “Panel Discussion: Extended Compensation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29(c).”  Let’s Just All Agree to Disagree: 2019 Workers’ Compensation Annual Mtg. (North Carolina Bar Association) (Greensboro, North Carolina, February 7, 2020)
  • Written paper only. Trial Skills: Depositions (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Raleigh, North Carolina, January 23, 2020)
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update”, Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 6, 2019)
  • “Workers’ Compensation,” Blue Ridge Safety Council (Shelby, North Carolina, December 5, 2019)
  • Panel discussion, “Preparing and Taking Doctors’ Depositions,” South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates Annual Convention (Asheville, North Carolina, November 9, 2019)
  • Workers’ Compensation Breakout Sessions (North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law), Atlantic Coast Labor Management Conference (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, October 17, 2019)
  • “Workers’ Compensation Appellate Case Update,” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 20, 2019, Wilmington, North Carolina) (with Jay Gervasi and Stewart Poisson)
  • Panel discussion with Grady Beard, Marti Bluestein, Shannon Till Poteat, Allison Sullivan, Derrick Williams, “The One Thing I Wish I Knew,” Workers’ Comp Practice Tips from the Pros, South Carolina Bar (Columbia, South Carolina, October 3, 2019)
  • With Jon Moore.  Trial Skills: Focus Groups. North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Charlotte, North Carolina, Sept. 26, 2019) (substituted for William Goldfarb)
  • “Top 10 Issues Between Workers’ Compensation and Social Security,” South Carolina Advocates for Justice Convention 2019 (South Carolina Advocates for Justice, August 1-3, 3019)
  • Moderator, “Spotting a Class Action and Taking Action,” North Carolina Advocates for Justice (October 25, 2017) (Raleigh, North Carolina)
  • With Professor Lee Peoples (Okla. City Univ. Sch. of Law), “Overview of Changes Proposed by the Restatement 3rd and Introduction to Negligence: Purpose, Elements & Evidence,” Civil Masters in Advocacy (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Greensboro, North Carolina, April 5, 2019)
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 7, 2018)
  • “Case Law Update,” 23rd Annual North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (Raleigh, North Carolina, October 12, 2018) (with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (with Jay Gervasi, Annemarie Pantazis, and Stewart Poisson)
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 1, 2017)
  • New Industrial Commission Rules and Their Impact on North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Cases, Mecklenburg County Bar (Charlotte, North Carolina, February 24, 2015)
  • “North Carolina Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission Educational Conference (October 6, 2017) (Raleigh, North Carolina) (with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2017) (with Jay Gervasi, Richard Harper, and Stewart Poisson)
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, scheduled for December 2, 2016)
  • “Differences between Workers’ Compensation in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina,” South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates Convention (Asheville, North Carolina, November 5, 2016)
  • “Fall Conference for Paralegals,” Mountain Magic (North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Asheville, North Carolina, October 14, 2016)
  • "Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference (October 7, 2016) (Raleigh, North Carolina) (with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Attorney Sparring (Plaintiff’s Perspective),” 2016 Southeastern RIMS Conference (Asheville, North Carolina, September 27, 2016)
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 21, 2016) (with Jay Gervasi, Richard Harper, and Stewart Poisson)
  • “Personal Injury Protection” and “Statutory Liens,” 2015 South Carolina Automobile Insurance Law Update (South Carolina Bar, Columbia, South Carolina, December 18, 2015)
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, “Appellate Case Law Update,” Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Torts (North Carolina Advocates for Justice) (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, December 4, 2015)
  • “Case Law Update,” North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Educational Conference (October 16, 2015) (Raleigh, North Carolina) (with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 14, 2015) (with Jay Gervasi, Richard Harper, and Stewart Poisson)
  • “So You Filed Your Notice of Appeal… Now What?”  20th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Raleigh, North Carolina, March 6, 2015)
  • Panel Discussion: Ramifications of the Year’s Most Important Appellant Court Decisions, Workplace Torts & Workers’ Comp (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 7, 2012)
  • “Establishing Disability Under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act in 2015: The Spectrum of Earning Capacity Issues from Impairment to Restoration,” 2015 Workers’ Compensation Annual Meeting and CLE, North Carolina Bar Association (Greensboro, North Carolina, February 5 and 6, 2015) (panel discussion with Henry Byrum, Bruce Hamilton, Larry Baker, Rick Harper, and Stewart Poisson, and moderated by Neill Fuleihan)
  • “Workers’ Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid,” 22nd Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo (Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 20, 2014) (presented with Jennifer Jordan and Tim Nay)
  • “Case Law Update,” 2014 North Carolina Educational Conference (N.C. Industrial Commission, October 10, 2014) (presented with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Workers’ Compensation (Concurrent Law Update),” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 15, 2014) (with Jay Gervasi, Stewart Poisson, and Richard Harper)
  • “Proving Your Workers’ Comp Case: Tips on Disability,” Mountain Magic (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 19, 2013) (discussed Medlin case in presentation)
  • “North Carolina Case Law Update,” 18th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 11, 2013) (presented with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Update on the Industrial Commission’s Rulemaking Under the Administrative Procedures Act” and “Workers’ Compensation Case Law Update,” NCAJ Convention, including the Summer Conference for Paralegals (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 15 and 16, 2013)
  • New Workers’ Comp Rules, 18th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, April 12, 2013)
  • Convention 2011 (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 18-22, 2011) (Convention Co-Chair) (moderated “Greatest Wins” and “Greatest Losses” presentations and introduced Keynote Speaker Erin Brockovich)
  • Case Law Update, 17th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (N.C. Industrial Commission, October 12, 2012) (presented with Bruce Hamilton)
  • “Introduction to Workers’ Compensation Law” and “Evaluating a Claim for Representation,” Learning the Ropes—Workers’ Compensation Basics (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 5, 2012)
  • “What’s New in Social Security Disability and Medicare,” The Law of Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina—2012 Update (South Carolina Bar, September 21, 2012)
  • Convention Co-Chair, NCAJ Convention 2012 (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 16-20, 2012) (also presented “Attendant Care” section of workers’ compensation case law review on June 19, 2012)
  • “Workers’ Comp: Legislative Update and How this New Legislation Affects Paralegals,” Spring Seminar for Paralegals (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 14, 2012)
  • 17th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 2, 2012) (Program Chair)
  • “Ramifications of the Year’s Most Important Appellate Court Decisions (panel discussion),” 18th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 2, 2011)
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Medicare Set Asides,” Workplace Injuries and Conditions: 2011 Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, November 10, 2011)
  • “Practice Tips for Dealing with the New Law in Existing Cases” and “Evaluating Claims Arising on or after 6-24-2011,” Roundtable on 2011 Changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 28, 2011)
  • “Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation,” 16th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 19, 2011)
  • “The Language of Mediate Settlement Agreements and Clinchers: Protecting Your Clients (Belli Nugget Presentation),” Mountain Magic (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 16, 2010)
  • “The Dangers of Confidentiality Agreements” and “Properly Drafting Social Security Disability Offset Language (panel member),” Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 4, 2011)
  • Program Planner, Moderator, and Presenter, Occupational Diseases (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 28, 2011)
  • “Effective Methods for Claim Resolution,” “Overcoming Common Ethical Hurdles Faced by Workers’ Compensation Attorneys,” and “Overcoming Post-Resolution Challenges,” Workers’ Comp Law Update (National Business Institute, December 13, 2010)
  • Medicare Panel, Workplace Torts & Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 3, 2010)
  • “Client Intake in Workers’ Compensation Cases,” 2010 Convention (South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, November 6, 2010)
  • Workers’ Compensation Law Update (National Business Institute, October 13, 2009)
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens & Set Asides,” Accidents Happen—2010 Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, October 1, 2010) (Seminar Planner)
  • “Allocation of Third Party Proceeds,” “Tips for Successfully Negotiating a Settlement (for Both Sides),” “ERISA and Medicare Interplay with Workers’ Compensation—Who Pays Medical Claims?” Workers’ Compensation Subrogation (National Business Institute, September 16, 2010)
  • “Coordination of Workers’ Compensation Benefits with Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Social Security Disability, Unemployment Compensation, and Medicare,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation (National Business Institute, September 14, 2010)
  • “Coordination of Workers’ Compensation With Social Security Disability,” Handling a Social Security Disability Case (National Business Institute, July 22, 2010)
  • “Workers’ Compensation Belli Nuggets—Ten ‘Do and Don’t’ Tips for Trying Attendant Care Cases,” NCAJ Convention (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, June 22, 2010)
  • Breakout Moderator, 15th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 5, 2010)
  • Program Planner and Presenter, “Is There any Law Regarding Occupational Disease?” and “Medicare/Social Security: Do I Really Have to Deal with Them in My Workers’ Compensation Case?”  Occupational Disease Before the North Carolina Industrial Commission (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 29, 2010)
  • “Handling Family Law Issues under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act—Alimony, Child Support, and Equitable Distribution,” 16th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, December 4, 2009)
  • “Medicare Set-Asides and the Motor Vehicle Case—What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You,” The 2009 South Carolina Automobile Update (South Carolina Bar, October 23, 2009)
  • “Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with (1) Social Security Disability, (2) Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, (3) Unemployment, and (4) Medicare,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (Sterling Education Services, Inc., June 16, 2009)
  • “Let’s Talk Rehab (Plaintiff’s Perspective),” 14th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 8, 2009)
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens & Set Asides,” 2009 Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, October 2, 2009)
  • “Workers’ Compensation,” Beyond the Elements II: South Carolina Damages from A to Z (South Carolina Bar, September 25, 2009)
  • Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with (1) Social Security Disability, (2) Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, (3) Unemployment, and (4) Medicare (National Business Institute, September 11, 2009)
  • Moderator and Program Planner, Getting Ahead of the “Competition: Key Issues in Workers’ Compensation Law (North Carolina Bar Association, February 15-16, 2008)
  • “Evidence-Based Medicine,” 14th Annual Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, March 6, 2009)
  • “Sources of Coverage (Workers’ Compensation),” Sources of Coverage: Exploring the “Maze” of Insurance Law (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, January 15, 2009)
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation (National Business Institute, December 10, 2008)
  • “Exclusive Remedy is Not the Only Game in Town: How to Maximize Recoveries in Workers’ Compensation Cases,” Injured Workers’ Advocates 26th Annual Convention (South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, November 6-8, 2008)
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Set Asides,” Basics of Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Bar Association, October 17, 2008)
  • Workers’ Compensation Update (National Business Institute, October 1, 2008)
  • “Social Security/Medicare Issues,” Dissecting a Workers’ Compensation Case (South Carolina Bar, September 5, 2008)
  • “Reimbursement Claims in Workers’ Compensation Cases,” Liens, Liens, and More Liens: Resolving Claims of Subrogation and Reimbursement 2008 (South Carolina Bar, May 2, 2008)
  • “Settlement Demands, Future Medicals, and Attendant Care,” 13th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 7, 2008)
  • “Calculating Compensatory Earnings and the Interplay Between Benefits: Coordination of Workers’ Compensation with Other Benefits,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation (Sterling Education Services, Inc., March 4, 2008)
  • “Drafting Opinions and Awards that Will Survive on Appeal,” Workers’ Comp Roundtable 2007 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 16, 2007)
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation (National Business Institute, December 12, 2007)
  • “Medicare Panel and Questions” and “Workers’ Compensation Liens—97-10.2 Update,” 14th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Comp (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 7, 2007)
  • “The Workers’ Compensation Claim” and “Interplay Between Benefits—Workers’ Comp, Social Security Disability, UC, Medicare, Long-Term Disability,” Fundamentals of Workers’ Compensation (Sterling Education Services, Inc., October 16, 2007)
  • Handling a Social Security Disability Case (National Business Institute, October 11, 2007)
  • “Ethical Contacts with Treating Physicians and Other Parties in Workers’ Compensation Claims,” 12th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (North Carolina Industrial Commission, October 10, 2007)
  • “Getting the Math Right: Handling Liens and Set-Asides,” A is for Accident: A Workers’ Compensation Primer (North Carolina Bar Association, October 5, 2007)
  • Workers’ Compensation Law Update (National Business Institute, October 4, 2007)
  • “Workers’ Comp Liens—N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-10.2 Update,” 12th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 2, 2005)
  • Moderator and Program Planner, The Devil is in the Details: Hot Topics in Workers’ Compensation Law (North Carolina Bar Association, February 16-17, 2007)
  • “Medicare Panel with Q&A,” 13th Annual Workplace Torts and Workers’ Comp (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 1, 2006)
  • “(1) Preparing for the Pre-Hearing Conference and (2) Calculation of Compensation Ratings and Settlements,” Workers’ Compensation Hearings: Techniques and Strategies for Success (National Business Institute, October 19, 2006)
  • “Concurrent Receipt of Workers’ Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare Benefits,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation (Sterling Education Services, September 26, 2006)
  • North Carolina Workers’ Comp Update 2006 (Council on Education and Management, August 16, 2006)
  • “Proving Causation in Injury Cases,” Workers’ Compensation Roundtable (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 3, 2006)
  • “Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation,” Disbursements 2006 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, February 24, 2006)
  • “Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation,” Disbursements 2006 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, January 20, 2006)
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, December 12, 2005)
  • “The In’s and Out’s of a Workers’ Comp Practice,” Practical Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 15, 2005)
  • “Interplay Between Benefits—Workers’ Comp, Social Security Disability, Medicare, Long-Term Disability, Unemployment Compensation, and Average Weekly Wage,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (Sterling Education Service, November 15, 2005)
  • “Medicare Set-Asides for Personal Injury Cases, “NCATL Convention 2005 (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, June 21, 2005)
  • Getting Maximum Benefits for Your Social Security Disability Clients in North Carolina (National Business Institute, July 13, 2005)
  • “Woody: Where to Go From Here? (The Plaintiff’s Perspective),” Workers’ Compensation 2005: Navigating the Workplace Maze—10th Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Meeting (North Carolina Bar Association, February 18, 2005)
  • “What Every Workers’ Compensation Paralegal Should Know About Medicare and Social Security Disability,” Claimant and Defense Attorneys—Paralegal/Legal Assistant Seminar (South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association and the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, May 20, 2005)
  • “CMS and Medicare Set-Asides and Allocations: Where Do We Stand Now?” 10th Annual Workers’ Comp Roundtable (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 4, 2005)
  • “Defending Workers’ Compensation Claims in North Carolina: A View from Both the Claimants’ and Defense Attorneys (Claimants’ Perspective),” North Carolina Workers’ Comp Update 2004 (Council on Education and Management, May 4, 2004)
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, August 31, 2004)
  • Handling a Social Security Case in North Carolina (National Business Institute, July 19, 2004)
  • “Legal Ethics for Legal Assistants,” Basics of Legal Assisting in North Carolina (Half-Moon Seminars, April 25, 2003).
  • “Medicare, HIPAA, and Other Things You Don’t Find in Chapter 97,” Advanced Workers’ Compensation: Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Workplace / 9th Annual Workers’ Compensation Meeting (North Carolina Bar Association, February 20-21, 2004) (paper only)
  • “Current Status of Credits under G.S. § 97-47,” 10th Annual Workplace Torts & Workers’ Compensation (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, December 5, 2003)
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, November 3, 2003)
  • “The In’s and Out’s of a Workers’ Comp Practice (Overview of Statutory Benefits),” Practical Trial Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 12, 2003)
  • “A Continuation of the Medicare Forum and Its Impact on the Workers’ Compensation System,” Workers’ Compensation Committee Program (American Bar Association Section of Labor & Employment Law, August 11, 2003) (paper only)
  • “Knight, Willey, Arp, and More: How Should We Change our Practices?” North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Convention 2003 (June 17, 2003)
  • “Where Am I and Where Do I File the Claim? Comparing Other Jurisdictions—North Carolina,” South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: Take It From the Top (South Carolina Bar, May 30, 2003)
  • “Medicare, Medicare, and More Medicare (Or, Things that Go ‘Bump’ in Your Workers’ Compensation Case),” Workers’ Compensation: Unraveling the Mystery/ 8th Annual Workers’ Compensation Section Annual Meeting (North Carolina Bar Association, February 21-22, 2003) (paper only)
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, May 16, 2003)
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, May 16, 2003)
  • “Ethical Issues Related to Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Personal Injury Litigation,” Legal Ethics in North Carolina (Lorman Educational Services, February 21, 2003)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “President’s Column: Music Lessons (and the Legend of Ben Folds),” Trial Briefs (N.C. Advocates for Justice, upcoming 2019)
  • Advanced Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, November 19, 2002)
  • “Statutory Liens,” 2002 South Carolina Automobile Insurance Update (South Carolina Bar, October 25, 2002)
  • “The In’s and Out’s of a Workers’ Comp Practice (Overview of Statutory Benefits),” You’ve Passed the Bar... Now What?—Practical Trial Skills (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 5-6, 2002)
  • Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina (National Business Institute, May 3, 2002)
  • “The In’s and Out’s of Workers’ Comp Practice (Overview of Statutory Benefits),” Practical Skills for New (and Not-So-New) Attorneys (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, August 23-24, 2001)
  • Practical Legal Ethics in North Carolina: Issues and Answers (National Business Institute, February 21, 2001)
  • “Everyone Has to Stand in Line Once in a While—Statutory Liens,” It Takes More Than a Threatening Letter to Settle the Claim (South Carolina Bar, October 27, 2000)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “Workers’ Comp Bills Filed in 2013,” Trial Briefs (North Carolina Advocates for Justice, August 2013)
  • T. Robinson and R. Kobayashi (editors-in-chief), “Commentary on 2013 North Carolina Workers’ Comp Related Legislation,” Workers’ Compensation Emerging Issues Analysis (LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2013 ed.)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “President’s Column,” Trial Briefs (N.C. Advocates for Justice, July 2019)
  • Vernon Sumwalt, “President’s Column: Our Time to Take Back the Courtroom,” North Carolina Advocates for Justice blog (www.ncadvocatesforjustice.wordpress.com published September 29, 2019)
  • Treatise on practical application of North Carolina Workers' Compensation law, Author and Editor, Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers' Compensation (3rd edition), Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2019
  • Co-wrote the North Carolina chapter, Contributing Author, Negligence Policy, Elements, and Evidence: The Role of Foreseeability in the Law of Fifty States, Balloon Press, Legal, 2018
  • Treatise on the Law of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina, Co-Author, The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina (7th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2019
  • Treatise on practical application of North Carolina Workers' Compensation Law, Author and Editor, Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers' Compensation (2nd edition), Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2018
  • Treatise on practical application of North Carolina Workers' Compensation law, Author and Editor, Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers' Compensation (1st edition), Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2017
  • Article in NCAJ's "Trial Briefs" (August 2013), Author, Workers' Comp Bills Filed in 2013, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Legal, 2013
  • Treatise on Automobile Insurance Law in South Carolina, Co-Author, The Law of Automobile Insurance in South Carolina (7th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2015
  • Wrote Chapter 13 "Credits under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act", Contributing Author, North Carolina Workers' Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim (2nd edition), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Legal, 2014
  • Wrote Chapter 13 "Credits under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act", Contributing Author, North Carolina Workers' Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim (3d edition), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Legal, 2013
  • Write Chapter 13 "Credits under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation System), Contributing Author, North Carolina Workers' Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim (1st edition), North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Legal, 2012
  • Treatise on the Law of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina, Co-Author, The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina (6th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2012
  • Wrote the North Carolina sub-chapter 6.11 for "State Specific WCMSA Requirements" (book republished annually by Lexis-Nexis(R)), Contributing Author, Complete Guide to Medicare Secondary Payor Compliance, Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2011
  • Article in the SCEA's "Chronicles" (Winter 2009-2010 edition), Author, A North Carolina Perspective: Mediation Pros and Cons, South Carolina Workers' Compensation Education Association, Legal, 2010
  • Article cited by 2010 Emerging Issues 4876 (February 2010, Lexis-Nexis(R) (c)2010), Author, Vernon Sumwalt on Preapproval and Awards of Retroactive Attendant Care Services: Boylan v. Verizon Wireless, 685 S.E.2d 155 (2009), Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2010
  • Article cited by 2010 Emerging Issues 4912 (March 2010, Lexis-Nexis(R) (c)2010), Author, Vernon Sumwalt on "A Tale of Two Cases" (Stare Decisis Only Matters Sometimes): Gregory v. W.A. Brown & Sons, 2010 N.C. LEXIS 35, Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2010
  • Article posted on the Larson's Workers' Compensation Law Center published by Lexis-Nexis(R), Author, "Scene's We'd Like to See" from WCRI's Medical Benchmark Studies, Lexis-Nexis(R) Larson's Workers' Compensation Law Center, Legal, 2009
  • Article posted on the Larson's Workers' Compensation Law Center published by Lexis-Nexis(R), Author, Bye Bye Brewington, Lexis-Nexis(R) Larson's Workers' Compensation Law Center, Legal, 2009
  • Expert commentary for Lexis-Nexis(R) ((c) Lexis-Nexis 2009), Author, Vernon Sumwalt on "Last Clear Chance" Doctrine under N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-10.2(e): Outlaw v. APAC-Atlantic, Inc., Lexis-Nexis(R), Legal, 2009
  • Treatise on Automobile Insurance Law in South Carolina, Co-author, The Law of Automobile Insurance in South Carolina (6th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2009
  • Treatise on the Law of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina, Co-author, The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina (5th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2008
  • Expert commentary on the law for Lexis-Nexis(R), Author, LexisNexis(R) Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on Misrepresentation in the Contract of Employment: Freeman v. Rothrock, N.C. App., 657 S.E.2d 389 (2008), 2008 N.C. App. LEXIS 430, LexisNexis, Legal, 2008
  • LexisNexis, Author, LexisNexis(R) Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on the Enforceability of Deputy Commissioner Opinions and Awards during Appeal to the Full Commission: Roberts v. Dixie News, Inc., N.C. App., 658 S.E.2d 684 (2008), 2008 N.C. App. LEXIS 654, 2008
  • Expert commentary on the law for Lexis-Nexis(R), Author, LexisNexis(R) Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on North Carolina Evaluation of Fringe Benefits in an Employee's 'Average Weekly Wage': Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., N.C. App., 652 S.E.2d 22, 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 2320, LexisNexis, Legal, 2008
  • Expert commentary on the law for Lexis-Nexis(R), Author, LexisNexis(R) Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on Proving Causation of Work-Related Medical Conditions: Legette v. Scotland Memorial Hospital, N.C. App., 640 S.E.2d 744 (2007), 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 361, LexisNexis, Legal, 2007
  • Expert commentary on the law for Lexis-Nexis(R), Author, LexisNexis(R) Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on the Physician-Patient Privilege in Workers' Compensation Cases Since the Enactment of N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-25.6, 2005 N.C. Sess. Law 448, 2005 N.C. H.B. 99, 2005 N.C. ALS 448, at *6, LexisNexis, Legal, 2007
  • Wrote "Chapter 39: Workers' Compensation" in this Treatise on the Law of Damages in South Carolina, Contributing Author, South Carolina Law of Damages (2nd edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2009
  • Article in NCATL's "Trial Briefs" (April 2006 edition), Author, Proving Causation in Injury Cases, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, Legal, 2006
  • Treatise on the Law of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina, Co-author, The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina (4th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2005
  • Article in "The South Carolina Trial Lawyer Bulletin" (Fall 2004 edition.  Must be logged on as an SCAJ member to access article through the link provided.  , Author, Ten Things Every Workers' Compensation Attorney Should Know about Medicare, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, Legal, 2004
  • Wrote "Workers' Compensation" (Chapter 27), Contributing Author, South Carolina Law of Damages (1st edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2004
  • Treatise on the Workers' Compensation Law of South Carolina, Co-author, The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina (3rd edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2003
  • Republication of Medicare Chapter from the South Carolina Bar's "The Law of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina" for the ABA's Workers' Compensation Committee Program in San Francisco, California, on August 11, 2003, Contributing Author, A Continuation of the Medicare Forum and Its Impact on The Workers' Compensation System, American Bar Association, Legal, 2003
  • Article in "The Course and Scope" (Volume 17, Number 1), Author, Revisiting the Workers' Compensation/ Social Security Offset, North Carolina Bar Association, 2003
  • Treatise on Automobile Insurance Law in South Carolina, Co-author, The Law of Automobile Insurance in South Carolina (5th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2002
  • Treatise on Automobile Insurance Law in South Carolina, Co-author, The Law of Automobile Insurance in South Carolina (4th edition), South Carolina Bar, Legal, 2000
  • Republication of SCTLA's Bulletin article of the same name by the Nevada Trial Lawyers' Association's "The Advocate" (March/April 1998 edition), Co-Author, A Step-by-Step Approach to the Breast Implant Client's Social Security Case, Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, Legal, 1998
  • Contributing Author, The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina (2nd edition), South Carolina Bar, 1998
  • Article in "The South Carolina Trial Lawyers Bulletin" (Spring 1997 edition).  Must be logged on as an SCAJ member to access the article through the link provided.  , Co-Author, A Step-by-Step Approach to the Breast Implant Client's Social Security Case, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, Legal, 1997
Honors/Awards:
  • “2022 Power List—Workers’ Compensation” (March 2022), Lawyers Weekly
  • Thirteen (13) Order of Service Awards (2009-2022), North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • Ebbie Award (June 2012), North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • Honorary New Lawyer Award (June 2011), North Carolina Advocates for Justice
  • James L. Cross Leadership Award (2011), North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
  • Peer Review Rated—AV Preeminent (5.0 out of 5.0), Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Larson’s National Workers’ Compensation Advisory Board (2007- present), LEXIS-NEXIS®
  • Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice (2014-present) •  Appellate Practice Specialization Exam Committee (2022-2025), North Carolina State Bar
  • Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation (2005 – present) •  Workers’ Compensation Specialization Exam Committee (2010 – 2017, Vice Chair 2012 – 2014, Chair 2014-2017), North Carolina State Bar
  • Top Attorneys in North Carolina (2011-present). • Top 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2015 and 2016 (through Super Lawyers) • Top 100 in North Carolina in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021, 2023 (through Super Lawyers), Charlotte Magazine
  • (www.superlawyers.com) in the field of workers’ compensation (2009 as a “Rising Star” and 2010 – present), North Carolina Super Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" for The Sumwalt Group (2020-2023), U.S. News
  • the area of workers’ compensation (2009 – present)  •  Best Lawyers’ 2013 Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants’ “Lawyer of the Year” in Charlotte •  Best Lawyers’ 2016 Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants’ “Lawyer of the Year in North Carolina” •  Best Lawyers’ 2018 Workers’ Compensation Law—Claimants’ “Lawyer of the Year” in Charlotte, Best Lawyers in America®
  • Silver Award for Workers' Compensation Lawyers (The Charlotte Observer, 2022) https://issuu.com/neruspublications/docs/2022cb_flipbook at pp 54-55), Charlotte's Best
  • Fellow (2019 – present), National College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Firm News (Newsletters):
  • Published in the North Carolina Advocates for Justice's "Trial Briefs" (Winter 2020), President's Column: Best Lawyers v. Best Lawyering, Legal
  • Published in the North Carolina Advocates for Justice's "Trial Briefs" (October 2019), President's Column: Music Lessons (and the Legend of Ben Folds), Legal
  • Posted by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice on September 29, 2019, President's Column: Our Time to Take Back the Courtroom, Legal
  • Reprint of President's Speech from the North Carolina Advocates for Justice's Convention in Wilmington, North Carolina (June 2019, reprinted in "Trial Briefs" in July 2019) , President's Column, Legal
  • Article on Lexis-Nexis(R)'s Lexis-Nexis e-Newsletter (February 17, 2015) ((c) Lexis-Nexis 2015), Workers' Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid, Legal
  • Article on Lexis-Nexis(R)'s Workers' Compensation eNewsletter National Edition, Volume 2, Issue 24 (June 13, 2011) ((c) Lexis-Nexis 2011), Off-Label Uses of Medical Products and Services, Legal
  • Article in Lexis-Nexis(R)'s Workers' Compensation eNewsletter National Edition Volume 3, Issue 9 (February 27, 2012) ((c) Lexis-Nexis 2012), WCRI's Baseline for Evaluating the Impact of North Carolina's 2011 Reforms: A Measuring Stick that Falls Short, Legal
  • Article in Lexis-Nexis(R)'s Workers' Compensation eNewsletter National Edition, Volume 2, Issue 41 (October 10, 2011) ((c) Lexis-Nexis 2011), It's Still the Economy, Stupid: Considering the NCCI Research Brief "Workers' Compensation Claims Frequency", Legal
  • Article in the North Carolina Bar Association's "The Course and Scope" Volume 22, Number 2 (February 2009), Chair's Comments: Is there a Bailout in our Future?, Legal
  • Article in the North Carolina Bar Association's "The Course and Scope" Volume 22, Number 1 (November 2008), Chair's Comments, Legal
  • Article in the North Carolina Bar Association's "The Course and Scope" Volume 21, Number 1 (2007), Membership Profile--Rick Harper, Legal
Educational Background:
  • J.D. University of South Carolina School of Law, 1998
  • B.A. University of Miami (Florida), 1994
Pro bono/Community Service:
  • Board Member, Kids Chance of North Carolina, Inc., 2009
  • Sardis Presbyterian Church, 2000
Special Licenses/Certifications:
  • North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice, 2014
  • North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law, 2005
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
  • Walker v. K&W Cafeterias, 264 N.C. App. 119, 824 S.E.2d 894 (2019) (wrote appellant’s brief and handled oral arguments), rev’d, 375 N.C. 254, 846 S.E.2d 679 (2020) (wrote Appellant’s New Brief and New Reply Brief and handled oral arguments), appeal after remand, 2022-NCCOA-219, 282 N.C. App. 708, 872 S.E.2d 68 (2022), currently on petition for discretionary review to the North Carolina Supreme Court, 2020
  • West et al. v. Hoyle’s Tire & Axle, LLC, No. 180PA21 (N.C. Supreme Court) (handled oral arguments on October 3, 2022)
  • Carra Jane Penegar, Executrix of the Estate of Johnny Ray Penegar, Jr., individually and on behalf of others similarly situated v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co., Verisk Analytics, Inc., and ISO Partners, Inc., No. 22-1940 (U.S. Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals) (wrote appellant's brief)
  • D&B Marine, LLC v. AIG Property Casualty Co., COA No. 22-546 (wrote Appellant's Brief and Reply Brief)
  • Monsam v. Premium Motorsports, IC No. 15-740065 (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed)
  • Betts v. North Carolina Dept. of Health & Human Servs., No. COA 22-324 (wrote Appellant's Brief and Reply Brief, handled oral arguments on November 1, 2022)
  • Peacock v. Panthers Football, LLC and Devin Akeem Funchess, COA No. 22-98 (case settled during appeal in 2022)
  • Sardis Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Inc. v. MidAmerica Productions, Inc., Midam International, Inc., and Peter Tiboris, (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed in 2021)
  • Jenkins v. Wells Fargo Bank, 2022-NCCOA-70, 281 N.C. App. 627, 867 S.E.2d 424 (2002) (unpublished), petition for disc. denied, 381 N.C. 709, 873 S.E.2d 12 (2022)
  • Monroe v. MV Transp., 2022-NCCOA-30, 281 N.C. App. 363, 869 S.E.2d 28 (2022)
  • Keith v. Health Pro Home Care Servs., Inc., 2022-NCSC-72, 381 N.C. 442, 873 S.E.2d 567 (2022) (amicus brief for North Carolina Advocates for Justice)
  • Cunningham v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2022-NCSC-46, 381 N.C. 10, 871 S.E.2d 724 (2022) (filed May 7, 2022) (amicus brief for North Carolina Advocates for Justice)
  • Lake et al. v. State Health Plan for Teachers & State Employees et al, 2022-NCSC-22, 380 N.C. 502, 869 S.E.2d 292 (2022) (wrote amicus brief for AARP)
  • Watkins v. Federal Express, IC File No. X98323 (Plaintiff’s Notice of Appeal filed on Nov. 21, 2018, resolved through Consent Order on July 22, 2019, and order dismissing appeal filed on Aug. 7, 2019)., 2019
  • Saunders v. ADP Total Source FI XI, Inc., 249 N.C. App. 361, 791 S.E.2d 466, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 927 (2016), petition for discretionary review allowed in part, 2017 N.C. LEXIS 826, 370 N.C. 271, 805 S.E.2d 486 (2017), rev’d, 372 N.C. 29, 822 S.E.2d 857 (2019)., 2019
  • Pine v. Wal-Mart Assocs., Inc. #1552, 371 N.C. 707, 821 S.E.2d 155 (2018) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice)., 2018
  • McCleod v. Spectrum Brands, IC File No. 13-748970 (defendants’ Notice of Appeal to Court of Appeals filed on May 18, 2017, and withdrawn after case settled on June 30, 2017)., 2017
  • Easter-Rozzelle v. City of Charlotte, 370 N.C. 286, 807 S.E.2d 122 (2017)., 2017
  • Lewis v. Transit Management of Charlotte, 792 S.E.2d 890, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 1241 (2016) (appeals by both parties), case settled before petitions for discretionary review and responses to petitions for discretionary review for both sides decided, (dismissed on June 12, 2017)., 2016
  • Wilkes v. City of Greenville, 369 N.C. 730, 787 S.E.2d 16 (2016) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice)., 2016
  • Breath v. OrthoCarolina, 781 S.E.2d 532, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 34 (2016) (unpublished opinion)., 2016
  • Rainey v. City of Charlotte, 785 S.E.2d 766, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 565 (2015), pet. for disc. review denied, 793 S.E.2d 231, 2016 N.C. LEXIS 860 (2016)., 2016
  • Edwards v. Reddy Ice, 2016 N.C. App. LEXIS 397 (2016) (unpublished opinion)., 2016
  • Haileab v. John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., 240 N.C. App. 293, 772 S.E.2d 265, 2015 N.C. App. LEXIS 286 (2015) (unpublished opinion) (appeals by both parties), 2015
  • Alfredson v. Premier Transp. Co. (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed on January 30, 2015)., 2015
  • Farley v. Sygma Network, Inc. IC FIle No. 13-756437 (case settled after Notice of Appeal filed on June 12, 2015)., 2015
  • Skoff v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 234 N.C. App. 329, 762 S.E.2d 2, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 588 (2014) (unpublished opinion), petition for discretionary review denied, 367 N.C. 810, 767 S.E.2d 524 (2015)., 2015
  • Burley v. U.S. Foods, Inc., 368 N.C. 315, 776 S.E.2d 832 (2015), rev'g, 233 N.C. App. 286, 756 S.E.2d 84 (2014)., 2015
  • Miller v. Northeast Med. Ctr., 233 N.C. App. 342, 756 S.E.2d 54 (2014)., 2014
  • Heglar v. Commissioners of the N.C. Indus. Comm’n, P14-329 (order filed June 11, 2014) (petition for writ of mandamus)., 2014
  • Wells v. Charlotte Mecklenburg Hosp. Auth., 238 N.C. App. 364, 768 S.E.2d 201, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 1371 (2014) (unpublished opinion)., 2014
  • Gregory v. Pearson, 367 N.C. 315, 754 S.E.2d 416 (2014) (3-3 split) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice), affirming per curiam without precedential value, 224 N.C. App. 580, 736 S.E.2d 577 (2012)., 2014
  • Ademovic v. Taxi USA, LLC, 237 N.C. App. 402, 767 S.E.2d 571 (2014)., 2014
  • Medlin v. Weaver Cooke Constr., LLC, 367 N.C. 414, 760 S.E.2d 732 (2014) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice)., 2014
  • Bethea v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 231 N.C. App. 713, 754 S.E.2d 258, 2014 N.C. App. LEXIS 48 (2014)., 2014
  • Sinanovic v. W.B. Moore Co., IC No. 028831 (2013) (settled after Notice of Appeal filed, but before Record on Appeal filed)., 2013
  • Winston v. Charlotte Observer, IC No. X69037 (appeal withdrawn after defendants’ Notice of Appeal filed on Sept. 13, 2013)., 2013
  • Anglin v. Dunbar Armored, 226 N.C. App. 203, 742 S.E.2d 205 (2013)., 2013
  • Gonzalez v. Worrell, 366 N.C. 501, 739 S.E.2d 552 (2013) (co-wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice)., 2013
  • Helfrich v. Coca-Cola Bottling Co., 225 N.C. App. 701, 741 S.E.2d 408 (2013)., 2013
  • Tinsley v. City of Charlotte, COA 11-1117 (2011) (remanded by order to Full Commission), appeal after further proceedings, 228 N.C. App. 744, 747 S.E.2d 145 (2013)., 2013
  • Smith v. Aramark, COA 12-454 (N.C. App. 2012) (settled after Defendant’s Notice of Appeal filed, but before Record on Appeal filed with Court of Appeals, and appeal withdrawn as ordered on October 10, 2012)., 2012
  • Grayson v. First Charlotte Perfusion Servs. & Novant Health, 223 N.C. App. 361, 734 S.E.2d 139, 2012 N.C. App. LEXIS 1226 (2012)., 2012
  • Mehaffey v. Burger King, 367 N.C. 120, 749 S.E.2d 252 (2012), rev'g 217 N.C. App. 318, 718 S.E.2d 720 (2011)., 2012
  • Cawthorn v. Mission Hosp., Inc., 211 N.C. App.42, 712 S.E.2d 306 (2011)., 2011
  • Kee v. Caromont Health, Inc., 209 N.C. App. 193, 706 S.E.2d 781 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief), holding superseded by statute, 2011 N.C. Sess. Laws 287, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-17(e) (eff. June 24, 2011)., 2011
  • Yous v. Greif, Inc., 210 N.C. App. 492, 711 S.E.2d 207, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 517 (2011) (unpublished opinion)., 2011
  • Cardwell v. Jenkins Cleaners, Inc., 365 N.C. 1, 704 S.E.2d 898 (2011) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice), 2011
  • Ashley v. C&H Carriers, COA 10-1370 (case settled after Record on Appeal filed, but before any briefs filed), 2011
  • Thomas v. Contract Core Drilling & Sawing, 209 N.C. App. 198, 703 S.E.2d 862 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2011
  • Thompson v. Aramark, Inc., 209 N.C. App. 198, 703 S.E.2d 862 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2011
  • Hatley v. Continental Gen’l Tire, 203 N.C. App. 372, 692 S.E.2d 488 (2010) (wrote appellee’s brief), appeal after remand, 215 N. C. App. 389, 716 S.E.2d 89, 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 2005 (2011), reporting 2011 N.C. App. 1927 (filed Sept. 6, 2011) (unpublished opinion) (wrote appellant’s brief)., 2010
  • Gesel v. Miller Orthopaedic Clinic, 2009 N.C. App. LEXIS 1122 (filed July 7, 2009), petition for disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 801, 690 S.E.2d 535 (2010) (wrote appellee’s brief to the Court of Appeals and Response to Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court)., 2009
  • Nale v. Ethan Allen, 199 N.C. App. 511, 682 S.E.2d 231 (2009), petition for disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 745, 688 S.E.2d 454 (2009) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals and Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court)., 2009
  • Meares v. Dana Corp., 172 N.C. App. 291, 615 S.E.2d 912 (2005), (wrote appellant’s brief), subsequent appeal after remand, 193 N.C. App. 86, 666 S.E.2d 819 (2008), petition for disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 129, 673 S.E.2d 359 (2009) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals and Response to Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court)., 2008
  • Starr v. Gaston County Board of Educ., 191 N.C. App. 301, 663 S.E.2d 322 (2008) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2008
  • Davis v. Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, 362 N.C. 133, 655 S.E.2d 392 (2008) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)., 2008
  • Roberts v. Dixie News, Inc., 189 N.C. App. 495, 658 S.E.2d 684 (2008) (wrote appellee’s and appellant’s briefs for plaintiff, and participated in oral argument)., 2008
  • Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 362 N.C. 457, 665 S.E.2d 449 (2008) (wrote appellee’s New Brief to Supreme Court and had oral argument), rev’g, 186 N.C. App. 474, 652 S.E.2d 22 (2007) (wrote appellant’s brief and had oral argument), appeal after remand, 217 N.C. App. 539, 720 S.E.2d 688 (2011) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2008
  • McCarver v. Hunter Motors, Inc., COA 07-346, 2008 N.C. App. LEXIS 53 (filed Jan. 15, 2008) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2008
  • Polston v. Six Star Economic Devel./Golden Corral, COA 06-1500, 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 1901 (filed Sept. 4, 2007) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2007
  • Gainer v. Graebel Van Lines, COA 06-1475 (dismissed Dec. 5, 2006) (case settled after record filed, but before briefs filed)., 2006
  • D’Aquisto v. Mission St. Joseph’s Health Sys., 360 N.C. 567, 633 S.E.2d 89 (2006) (wrote plaintiff-appellee’s New Brief to the Supreme Court), appeal after remand, 198N.C. App. 674, 680 S.E.2d 249 (2009) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2006
  • Dodrill v. Jerry Rhyne’s Collision Repair, COA 05-1408, 2006 N.C. App. LEXIS 1472 (filed July 5, 2006) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2006
  • Silvers v. Mastercraft, Inc., 2006 N.C. App. LEXIS 1162 (filed June 6, 2006) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2006
  • Bowling v. US Airways Group, Inc., COA P06-55 (2006) (settled after defendants’ Notice of Appeal filed with Industrial Commission, but before Record on Appeal filed)., 2006
  • Starnes v. Interstate Foam & Supply, IC No. 801639 (Full Comm’n, filed June 8, 2006) (defendants’ Notice of Appeal dismissed before Record on Appeal filed)., 2006
  • Driggers v. Central Church of God, COA 05-1142 (dismissed Nov. 17, 2005) (defendants’ appeal dismissed before Record on Appeal filed)., 2005
  • Montgomery v. Toastmaster, Inc., 174 N.C. App. 320, 620 S.E.2d 685 (2005) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2005
  • Brooks v. Capstar Corp., 360 N.C. 60, 621 S.E.2d 170 (2005) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)., 2005
  • Queen v. Penske Corp., 174 N.C. App. 814, 625 S.E.2d 121 (2005), petition for disc. rev. denied, 360 N.C. 648, 636 S.E.2d 810 (2006) (wrote appellee’s brief to Court of Appeals and Response to Petition for Discretionary Review to Supreme Court)., 2005
  • Konrady v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 165 N.C. App. 620, 599 S.E.2d 593 (2004) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2004
  • Atkins v. Kelly Springfield Tire Co., 358 N.C. 540, 597 S.E.2d 128 (2004) (per curiam) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)., 2004
  • Boney v. Winn-Dixie, Inc., 163 N.C. App. 330, 593 S.E.2d (2004) (wrote appellee’s brief)., 2004
  • Willey v. Williamson Produce, 357 N.C. 41, 577 S.E.2d 622 (2003) (per curiam) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)., 2003
  • Osmond v. Carolina Concrete Specialties, 151 N.C. App. 541, 568 S.E.2d 204 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief), pet. for disc. rev. denied, 356 N.C. 676, 577 S.E.2d 631 (2003) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review). , 2002
  • Logan v. Roger’s Concrete Co., COA 01-588, 2002 N.C. App. LEXIS 1785 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for disc. rev. denied, 356 N.C. 164, 568 S.E.2d 197 (2002) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review)., 2002
  • Bridwell v. Golden Corral Steak House, 149 N.C. App. 338, 561 S.E.2d 298 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for disc. rev. denied, 355 N.C. 747, 565 S.E.2d 193 (2002) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review)., 2002
  • Ruiz v. Belk Masonry Co., 148 N.C. App. 675, 559 S.E.2d 249 (2002) (wrote appellee’s brief and had oral argument), petition for disc. review denied, 356 N.C. 166, 568 S.E.2d 610 (2002) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review)., 2002
  • Groves v. Travelers Ins. Co., 354 N.C. 206, 552 S.E.2d 141 (2001) (wrote amicus curiae brief for the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers)., 2001
  • Thomas v. Bost, COA00-237, 2001 N.C. App. LEXIS 902 (filed May 15, 2001) (wrote appellee’s brief), petition for disc. review denied, 353 N.C. 734, 552 S.E.2d 636 (2001) (wrote Response to Petition for Discretionary Review)., 2001
  • Shah v. Howard Johnson, 353 N.C. 381, 547 S.E.2d 17 (2001) (wrote response to Petition for Discretionary Review)., 2001
  • London v. Snak-Time Catering, 352 N.C. 589, 544 S.E.2d 781 (2000) (wrote response to petition for writ for certiorari, but not credited in Supreme Court opinion), appeal after remand, COA 03-1093 (2003) (case settled after Record on Appeal and after writing appellant’s brief)., 2000
Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Appellate Practice Specialization Exam Committee (North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), 2023
  • Appellate Practice Specialization Exam Committee (North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization), 2022
  • Executive Committee, South Carolina Injured Workers' Advocates, 2021
  • Past President, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2020 - 2021
  • Executive Committee, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2020
  • Executive Committee, South Carolina Injured Workers' Advocates, 2020
  • Legal Affairs Committee, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2020
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina (2015)
  • United States District Court, Middle District of North Carolina (2005)
  • United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina (1998)
  • United States District Court, District of South Carolina (1998)
  • United States Court of Federal Claims (2017)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1999)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (2017)
  • United States Supreme Court (2017)
  • South Carolina, 1998
  • North Carolina, 1998
  • President, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (2019-2020 term), 2019
  • College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers http://www.cwclawyers.org/, 2019
  • Executive Committee, South Carolina Injured Workers' Advocates, 2019
  • President-Elect, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2018
  • Chair of the Uniform Bar Exam Drafting Subcommittee for Workers' Compensation, North Carolina Board of Law Examiners, 2017
  • Fundraising and Development Officer, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2016
  • Executive Committee, South Carolina Injured Workers' Advocates, 2016
  • Membership Vice President, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2015
  • Chair of the Workers' Compensation Specialization Committee, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2014
  • Legislative Vice President, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2014
  • Political Action Committee, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2014-2021
  • Executive Committee, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2013
  • At Large Executive Committee Member, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2013
  • Informal Advisory Council, North Carolina Industrial Commission, 2013
  • Vice Chair of the Workers' Compensation Specialization Committee, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2012
  • Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2012
  • National Academy of Social Insurance (membership by invitation continued through the present), 2012
  • Vice Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2011
  • State Captain, Workplace Injury Litigation Group (WILG), 2011
  • Workplace Injury Litigation Group (membership committee 2011-2012), 2011
  • State Legislative Committee, Workplace Injury Litigation Group (WILG), 2010
  • Board of Governors, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2010 - 2021
  • Secretary of the Workers' Compensation Section, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2010
  • Workers' Compensation Specialization Committee, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2010
  • Appellate Rules Committee, North Carolina Bar Association, 2010
  • Chair of the Small Office Practice Section, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2010
  • County Captain, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2009
  • Board of Directors, Kids' Chance of North Carolina, 2009
  • Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section, North Carolina Bar Association, 2008
  • Legal Affairs Committee, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2008
  • Larson's National Workers' Compensation Advisory Board (Lexis-Nexis (R)), 2007
  • Vice Chair of the Workers' Compensation Section, North Carolina Bar Association, 2007
  • Regional Captain, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2007
  • Member, South Carolina Injured Workers' Advocates, 2007
  • Trial Practice Curriculum Committee, North Carolina Bar Association, 2006
  • Workers' Compensation Section Executive Committee, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, 2006
  • Workers' Compensation Section Council, North Carolina Bar Association , 2006
  • Editor, The Course and Scope (Workers' Compensation Section Newsletter), North Carolina Bar Association, 2003
  • Member, Workplace Injury Litigation Group (WILG), 2001
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Workers' Compensation Section Amicus Committee, 2000
  • Member, South Carolina Association for Justice, 1998
  • Member, American Association for Justice (formerly American Trial Lawyers Association), 1998
  • Former Member, National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives

These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.

“Vernon is the most scholarly workers' comp lawyer in NC, in my opinion. HE does great work for his clients and often creates or clarifies the law at the appellate level.”

“Absolutely outstanding member of workers' compensation bar.”

“Innovative workers' compensation attorney.”

Office location for Vernon Sumwalt

1213 West Morehead Street
The Refinery, Suite 521
Charlotte, NC 28208

Phone: 704-859-8584

Selections

15 Years Super Lawyers
1 Year Rising Stars
  • Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2024
  • Rising Stars: 2009

Top Lists

Top 100: North Carolina Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 - 2024 Top 25: Charlotte Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2016

Certificates and credentials

Attorney resources for Vernon Sumwalt

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