ListofCases
Saundersv.ADPTotalSourceFIXI,Inc.,___N.C.App.___,___S.E.2d___(2016)
SaunderslookedatseveralproceduralaspectsoftheSuperiorCourt’sreviewoffeeson
compensationforattendantcareservicesunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-90(c).
Breathv.OrthoCarolina,___N.C.App.___,781S.E.2d532(2016)
Breathconsideredashoulderconditionasan“occupationaldisease”andavoidedthe
doctrineofresjudicata,eventhoughtheIndustrialCommissionhadearlierheldthatthe
shoulderconditionwasnotan“injury”whentheemployeewasnotrepresentedbylegal
counsel.
Edwardsv.ReddyIce,___N.C.App.___,___S.E.2d___,2016N.C.App.LEXIS397(2016)
EdwardsreversedtheIndustrialCommission’sfindingsoffactandconclusionsoflawon
continuingdisability,whentheemployeehadmultiplemedicalconditionsthataroseafteran
injuryatwork.
Raineyv.CityofCharlotte,___N.C.App.___,785S.E.2d766(2015)
Raineyconsideredthelimitationsperiodforfiling“occupationaldiseases”underN.C.Gen.
Stat.§97-58.
Heglarv.CommissionersoftheNorthCarolinaIndustrialCommission,P14-329(orderby
theNorthCarolinaCourtofAppealsfiledJune11,2014)
HeglarwasamandamusactionagainsttheNorthCarolinaIndustrialCommission,whose
rulesatthetimedidnotallowforafullevidentiaryhearingonappealfromamedicalmotion.
AfterHeglar,04NCAC10A.0609Awaschangedtoallowpartiestoappealordersfrom
medicalmotionstotheDeputyCommissionersectionforahearing.
Wellsv.CharlotteMecklenburgHospitalAuthority,___N.C.App.___,768S.E.2d201,2014
N.C.App.LEXIS1371(2014)
Wellsaddressedtheissuesofa“compensable”injuryandthe“disability”resultingfromthat
injury.
Haileabv.JohnQ.HammonsHotels,Inc.,___N.C.App.___,772S.E.2d265,2015N.C.App.
LEXIS286(2015)
HaileabaffirmedtheIndustrialCommission’sdeterminationthatseveralpartsofthe
employee’sbody,whichheremployerhadnotaccepted,werealsocoveredthroughher
workers’compensationclaim.Theopinionalsoaddressedashortperiodoftimeinwhich
theemployeewasnotentitledtoperiodicpayments.
Gregoryv.Pearson,367N.C.315,754S.E.2d416(2014)(3-3split),affirmingpercuriam
withoutprecedentialvalue,224N.C.App.580,736S.E.2d577(2012)(asamicuscuriaefor
theNorthCarolinaAdvocatesforJustice)
Gregorylookedattheresponsibilityforworkers’compensationinjointemploymentunder
N.C.Gen.Stat.§97-51.
Ademovicv.TaxiUSA,LLC,237N.C.App.402,767S.E.2d571(2014)
Ademovicconsideredifataxidriverwhowasshotbyapassengerwasan“employee”oran
“independentcontractor.”
Burleyv.U.S.Foods,Inc.,233N.C.App.286,756S.E2.d84(2014),reversed,368N.C.315,
776S.E.2d832(2015)
Burleyaskedifanamendmenttoanemploymentcontractwasenoughtobringaworkers’
compensationcasewithinNorthCarolina’sjurisdictionunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-36.
Skoffv.U.S.Airways,Inc.,234N.C.App.329,762S.E.2d2,2014N.C.App.LEXIS588(2014)
SkoffheldthatinjuriestoairlineemployeesontheemployeebusesattheCharlotteDouglas
InternationalAirportoccur“inthecourse”ofemploymentandarecoveredthroughworkers’
compensation.
Millerv.NortheastMedicalCenter,233N.C.App.342,756S.E.2d54(2014)
MillerlookedatthereopeningofaclaimunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-25.1andN.C.Gen.Stat.§
97-47withintwoyearsafterthelastpaymentof“medicalcompensation.”
Medlinv.WeaverCookeConstruction,LLC,367N.C.414,760S.E.2d732(2014)(asamicus
curiaefortheNorthCarolinaAdvocatesforJustice)
Medlinconsideredhow“disability”hadtobelinkedtoaninjurybeforeanemployee
becomeseligibleforworkers’compensation.
Betheav.U.S.Airways,Inc.,231N.C.App.713,754S.E.2d258,2014N.C.App.LEXIS48
(2014)
Betheasaidthatevenshortperiodsofdisabilityafteraperiodofpermanentpartialdisability
qualifyasa“changeofcondition,”allowingemployeestoreopentheirworkers’
compensationclaimsunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-47.
Tinsleyv.CityofCharlotte,___N.C.App.___,___S.E.2d___,2013N.C.App.LEXIS820,at*1
(2013).
Tinsleylookedatthedistributionofathird-partysettlementunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§9710.2(f)(1)whenthepartiesagreedtotheamountoftheworkers’compensationlienwithout
applyingN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-10.2(f)(2).
Gonzalezv.Worrell,___N.C.App.___,739S.E.2d552(2013)(amicuscuriaefortheNorth
CarolinaAdvocatesforJustice).
Gonzalezlookedatthecancellationofaworkers’compensationinsurancepolicyunderN.C.
Gen.Stat.§58-36-105(b).TheSupremeCourtfileda3-3opinionaffirmingtheopinionbythe
CourtofAppeals,consistentwiththeamicusbriefsubmittedbytheNorthCarolinaAdvocates
forJustice.In2013,theNorthCarolinaGeneralAssemblyreactedtotheresultreachedin
GonzalezbyfilingHouseBill639.
Anglinv.DunbarArmored,___N.C.App.___,742S.E.2d205(2013).
Anglinheldthatthereisstillaworkers’compensationlienunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-10.2
againstunderinsuredmotoristproceedsunderaSouthCarolinainsurancepolicy,eventhough
SouthCarolinalawprovidesthatthoseproceedsarenotassignableorsubjecttosubrogation.
Helfrichv.Coca-ColaBottlingCo.,___N.C.App.___,741S.E.2d408(2013).
InHelfrich,theCourtofAppealsheldthatunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-34,anemployeewhohas
morethanoneinjuryisentitledtothecompensationratebasedontheinjurythatprovidesthe
greatestamount.
Cawthornv.MissionHosp.,Inc.,365N.C.336,718S.E.2d369(2011),denyingpetitionfor
discretionaryreviewof211N.C.App.42,712S.E.2d306(2011).
Cawthorndealtwiththecompensabilityofaninjuryforahospitalemployee.
Mehaffeyv.BurgerKing,367N.C.120,749S.E.2d252(2012),reversing217N.C.App.720,
718S.E.2d720(2011)
Mehaffeyupheldtheavailabilityofretroactivepaymentstofamilymemberswhoprovidehome
nursingandattendantcareservicestotheirinjuredrelatives.
Yousv.Greif,Inc.,210N.C.App.492,711S.E.2d207,2011N.C.App.LEXIS485(2011)
Youslookedatwhetheraworkerhad"bursitis,"whichisanoccupationaldiseasespecifically
identifiedbytheWorkers'CompensationAct.Also,Yousheldthatbecausebursitisisnot
controversial,considerationofaworker'ssymptomsispermissibleontheissueofcausation
becausetheposthoc,ergopropterhocfallacy,asdiscussedinYoungv.HickoryBusiness
Furniture,353N.C.227,538S.E.2d912(2000),onlydiscouragedconsiderationofthose
symptomsinthecontextofcontroversialmedicalconditions.
Cardwellv.JenkinsCleaners,Inc.,365N.C.1,704S.E.2d898(2011)(asamicuscuriae
involvementfortheNorthCarolinaAdvocatesforJustice)
InCardwell,theSupremeCourtofNorthCarolinareversedthedecisionoftheCourtofAppeals
involvingthe"comingandgoing"ruleandremandedthecaseformorefindingsbythe
IndustrialCommission.AsamicuscuriaeoftheCourt,theNorthCarolinaAdvocatesforJustice
encouragedtheCourttorecognizeanewexceptiontothe"comingandgoing"rulecalledthe
"anymeansofingressoregress"exception,whichisrecognizedbyotherjurisdictionsbutnot
yetarticulatedinNorthCarolina.
Keev.CaromontHealth,Inc.,209N.C.App.193,706S.E.2d781(2011)
Keeheldthat"sideagreements"mightnotbeappropriateinsomeworkers'compensation
settlementsundertheIndustrialCommission'srules,anditupheldtheCommission'sdecision
tovoidamediatedsettlementagreementduetotheexistenceofa"sideagreement."In
reactiontoKee,theNorthCarolinalegislatureenactedN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-17(e)in2011.
Thomasv.ContractCoreDrilling&Sawing,209N.C.App.198,703S.E.2d862(2011)
ThomaslookedatwhetheradecisionbytheIndustrialCommissionthatdidnotresolveallof
theissuesindisputewasa"final"ordersubjecttoappellaterevieworan"interlocutory"order
notyetripeforappellateadjudication.
Thompsonv.Aramark,Inc.,2010N.C.App.LEXIS1976(filedOct.19,2010)
ThompsonalsolookedattheissueofwhetheranIndustrialCommissionorderthatdidnot
resolveallissueswas"final"or"interlocutory."
Hatleyv.ContinentalGeneralTireNA,2010N.C.App.LEXIS583(filedApr.6,2010)
HatleyconsideredtheissueofdisabilityunderN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-2(9)andN.C.Gen.Stat.§9730and,morespecifically,whethertemporarypartialdisabilitywasamorefavorableremedyto
theinjuredworkerthanpermanentpartialdisability.
Nalev.EthanAllen,199N.C.App.511,682S.E.2d231(2009)
Naledealtwiththestandardofreviewandcausation.
Geselv.MillerOrthopaedicClinic,2009N.C.App.LEXIS1122(filedJuly7,2009)
Geselconcernedanemployeewho,afterreturningtoworkatseveraljobsthatshefoundon
herown,eachofwhichpaidlessandlessinearnings,wasfoundtobedisabled.TheCourt
upheldtheCommission’sdeterminationthatfurtherjobsearchwouldbefutileandthatthe
employeewasnotobligatedtoreturntoapart-timejobpayingonly17.1%ofherpre-injury
earnings.
Mearesv.DanaCorp.,172N.C.App.291,615S.E.2d921(2008)
Mearesaffirmedapenaltyagainstanemployerwhotriedtoeliminatefuturebenefitsforan
employee’sdependentsonaprematurebasis.
Starrv.GastonCountyBoardofEduc.,191N.C.App.301,663S.E.2d322(2008)
StarrdealtwiththeindemnificationprovisionsofN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-86.1,whichapplieswhen
twoormoreinsurancecarriersmaybeliableforacompensableinjury.Inaddition,Starralso
clarifiedthatequitabledefensesarenotavailableinworkers’compensationcaseswhenthere
isanadequateremedyatlaw,evenifthatremedyisunfavorable.
Robertsv.DixieNews,Inc.,189N.C.App.495,658S.E.2d684(2008)
Robertsdealtwiththemedicalconsequencesofanoriginal,compensableinjury,holdingthata
flare-upofsymptomsafterareturntounsuitableemploymentwasnotan“independent,
interveningevent”thatbreaksthechainofproximatecausation.
Onanotherissueoffirstimpression,Robertsheldthatadeputycommissioner’sOpinionand
AwardisenforceableduringanappealtotheFullCommission.AlthoughtheresultinRoberts
allowedaninsurancecarriertostoppaymentofweeklybenefitsduringappealfromanOpinion
andAwardthatdidnotfavortheinjuredemployee,theholdingextendstotheconverse
situation,too—benefitspayableunderadeputycommissionerOpinionandAward,whichis
favorabletotheinjuredemployee,aredueandpayablenotwithstandinganemployer’sorits
insurancecarrier’sappealtotheFullCommission.
Davisv.Harrah’sCherokeeCasino,362N.C.133,655S.E.2d392(2008)(amicuscuriae
involvementfortheNorthCarolinaAcademyofTrialLawyers)
Usingthe“anycompetentevidence”standardofappellatereviewandinaccordancewiththe
resultadvocatedbytheamicuscuriaebrief,DavisupheldtheCommission’sfactual
determinationofacompensableinjuryaswellasDefendants’failuretoshowabreakin
proximatecausationfroman“independent,interveningeventattributabletotheemployee’s
ownintentionalconduct.”
McCarverv.HunterMotors,Inc.,COA07-346(N.C.Ct.App.filedJan.15,2008)
McCarverupheldtheCommission’sdeterminationthatajobexceedingtheemployee’s
restrictionswasnot“suitable”tohiscapacity.
Polstonv.SixStarEconomicDevel./GoldenCorral,2007N.C.App.LEXIS1901(filedSept.4,
2007)
PolstonreaffirmedtheCommission’sexclusivedutytofindfactsandweighevidenceonthe
issueofmedicalcausation.
Shawv.U.S.Airways,Inc.,362N.C.457,665S.E.2d449(2008),rev’g,186N.C.App.474,652
S.E.2d22(2007)
AsacaseoffirstimpressioninNorthCarolina,Shawlookedattheissueofwhethervested401k
contributionsbyanemployerareapartoftheemployee’s“earnings”forpurposesof
calculating“averageweeklywage.”
D’Aquistov.MissionSt.Joseph’sHealthSys.,360N.C.567,633S.E.2d89(2006),affirmingin
part,reversinginpart,171N.C.App.216,614,583(2005),appealafterremand,198N.C.App.
674,680S.E.2d249(2009)
The2005and2006decisionsinD’Aquistoconsideredthe“arisingoutof”elementinthe
definitionofan“injury,”andspecificallydidsointhecontextofaworkplaceassaultina
healthcaresetting.The2009decisionconcernedattorneys’feesawardedunderN.C.Gen.Stat.
§97-88.1becauseoftheemployer’smultipleandunsuccessfulappeals,whichnecessitated
additionaltimeandexpensestodefendandultimatelydelayedthebenefitsawardedbyseveral
years.
Dodrillv.JerryRhyne’sCollisionRepair,2006N.C.App.LEXIS1472(filedJuly5,2006)
Dodrillwasanoccupationaldiseasecaseinvolvingbilateralbursitisandrotatorcufftears,andit
evaluatedthe“lastinjuriousexposure”ruleinfixingliabilitywhentherewasadisputebetween
differentinsurancecompaniesastowhichoneboretheriskofthatwork-relatedexposurethat
causedtheoccupationaldiseases.
Silversv.Mastercraft,Inc.,COANo.05-895(filedJune5,2006)
Silverslookedattheconceptof“suitable”employmentandtheemployee’srighttoongoing
disabilitycompensationwhenthereisnoalternative,suitableemploymentavailable.Silvers
alsolookedattheissueofimpropercommunicationsbetweenanemployer’srepresentative
andatreatingphysicianthatwerebothexparteandinviolationofthephysician-patient
privilegeofN.C.Gen.Stat.§8-53
Montgomeryv.Toastmaster,Inc.,174N.C.App.320,620S.E.2d685(2005)
Montgomeryalsolookedattheconceptof“suitable”employment,butitalsoconsideredthe
issueofwhetheranemployeewasstilldisabledeventhoughsheretiredforinjury-related
reasons.
Mearesv.DanaCorp./WixxDivision,172N.C.App.291,615S.E.2d912(2005)
Mearesheldthataninsurancecarriercouldnotsetoffitsliabilityforworkers’compensationby
theamountspaidtotheinjuredemployeeunderaseverancepackage.
Brooksv.CapstarCorp.,360N.C.60,621S.E.2d170(2005)(amicuscuriaeinvolvementforthe
NorthCarolinaAcademyofTrialLawyers),dismissingpetitionfordiscretionaryreviewas
improvidentlyallowed,168N.C.App.23,606S.E.2d696(2005)
Brooksconsideredwhetheranemployee’spoorvocationalprofilerosetothelevelofan
intentional“refusal”ofvocationalrehabilitationservicesinanefforttosuspenddisability
compensation.
Konradyv.U.S.Airways,Inc.,165N.C.App.620,599S.E.2d593(2004) Konradydealtwiththeelementsofan“accident”andwhethertheaccidentcausedthe
employee’sdisability.Indoingso,KonradyheldthatNorthCarolinadoesnotapportion
disabilitybetweencompensableandnon-compensablecauseswhenthebasisofsuch
apportionmentisspeculative.
Boneyv.WinnDixie,Inc.,163N.C.App.330,593S.E.2d93(2004)
Boneyconcernedtheissueofhowtocalculatethe“averageweeklywage”ofaretired
employeeinjuredinapart-time,supplementaljob.
Atkinsv.KellySpringfieldTireCo.,358N.C.540,597S.E.2d128(2004)(percurium)(amicus
curiaeinvolvementfortheNorthCarolinaAcademyofTrialLawyers),dismissingpetitionfor
discretionaryreviewasimprovidentlyallowed,154N.C.App.512,571S.E.2d865(2002)
Atkinsaddressedtheissueofwhatconstitutesa“fullandcompletemedicalreport,”which
shouldaccompanyagreementsbeforetheCommissioncanapprovethem.Atkinsalsogaverise
totheIndustrialCommissionForm25A.
Willeyv.WilliamsonProduce,357N.C.41,577S.E.2d622(2003)(percurium)(amicuscuriae
involvementfortheNorthCarolinaAcademyofTrialLawyers),reversing149N.C.App.74,
562S.E.2d1(2002)
Willeyaddressedtheintoxicationdefensetoworkers’compensationclaimsunderN.C.Gen.
Stat.§97-12andrefusedtoapplya“presumptionofimpairment”inNorthCarolina,whichis
thelawinseveralotherstates.In2006,theNorthCarolinalegislaturemodifiedsection97-12
toprovideforarebuttablepresumptionofimpairmentafterWilleyclarifiedthatnosuch
impairmentpreviouslyexistedinthestatute.
Osmondv.CarolinaConcreteSpecialties,151N.C.App.541,568S.E.2d204(2002)
Osmondinvolvedthe“specialerrand”exceptiontothe“comingandgoing”rulefordetermining
compensability.
Bridwellv.GoldenCorralSteakHouse,149N.C.App.338,561S.E.2d298(2002)
Bridwelldealtwiththeissueof“disability”underN.C.Gen.Stat.§97-2(9).
Ruizv.BelkMasonry,148N.C.App.675,559S.E.2d249(2002)
Ruizannouncedthatundocumentedaliensare“employees”forpurposesofreceivingworkers’
compensationbenefitswhentheyareinjuredatwork.Morespecifically,Ruizdeterminedthat
theFederalImmigrationReformControlActof1986didnotpreemptstate-lawdefinitionsof
theword“employee”forworkers’compensationpurposes,whichwouldhaveprecluded
undocumentedaliensfromreceivingcompensationdespitetheirinjuries.Thecasealsodealt
withcompensatingfamilymembersforprovidingattendantcaretoinjuredworkers.
Grovesv.TravelersInsuranceCo.,354N.C.206,552S.E.2d141(2001)(percurium)(amicus
curiaeinvolvementfortheNorthCarolinaAcademyofTrialLawyers),reversing139N.C.App.
795,535S.E.2d105(2000)
Groveslookedattheexclusivityremedyofworkers’compensation,whichN.C.Gen.Stat.§9710.1establishes.
Shahv.HowardJohnson,140N.C.App.58,535S.E.2d577(2000)
Shahincludedthevalueoflodgingintotheemployee’s“averageweeklywage”andlookedat
theconceptof“suitable”employment.
Londonv.Snak-TimeCatering,136N.C.App.473,525S.E.2d203(2000)
Londonheldthatinsurancecarriershadtoreimburseaninjuredemployee’sfamilymembers
forattendantcareservices,ormedicallynecessaryandunskillednursingservices,provided
whenaninsurancecarrierdidnotprovidethoseservices.
InreHarringtonv.Adams-RobinsonEnterp.,349N.C.218,504S.E.2d786(1998)(amicus
curiaeinvolvementfortheNorthCarolinaAcademyofTrialLawyers),affirming128N.C.App.
496,495S.E.2d377(1998)
Harringtonaddressestheconceptofmaximummedicalimprovementinthecontextofongoing
disability.
SouthernWatchSupplyCo.v.RegalChrysler-Plymouth,Inc.,69N.C.App.164,316S.E.2d318
(1984),appealafterremand,82N.C.App.21,345S.E.2d453(1986)
SouthernWatchSupplyinvolvedtheissueofproximatecauseandthe“reasonableperson”
standardinnegligenceclaims.Thecasewasappealedagainafteraninitialremand,atwhich
timeitaddressedthepresentsenseimpressionandexcitedutteranceexceptionstothe
hearsayrule.
Nassifv.SouthernWholesale,Inc.,73N.C.App.608,327S.E.2d64(1985)
Nassifconsideredtheinclusionandexclusionofevidencebasedonitscredibility.