Vernon Rollins Sumwalt

Workers compensation Attorney at Charlotte, NC

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Great Lawyer

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About Vernon

Learn Vernon’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Workers compensation

70%

Injuries at work. Wear-and-tear damage from overuse. Occupational diseases. Workplace and industrial injuries and deaths. North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation Law.
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25 years, 1,500 cases
Appeals

15%

Appeals are mostly my own cases or help with others, although I am involved in amicus brief writing. North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice.

25 years, 100 cases
General practice

15%

Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Many third-party cases arising from workplace injuries. Medicare Secondary Payer private actions and general civil litigation.

25 years, 100 cases

Vernon Sumwalt has handled approximately 250 workers’ compensation hearings, 100 appeals—mostly from cases he has tried—and many other cases before juries and our courts of general jurisdiction in both North Carolina and South Carolina. He is the current President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers) and has taught almost 140 state and national classes for lawyers and other professionals. He has also written over 45 books, chapters, and other articles on different aspects of workers’ compensation and trial law.

Since 2005, Vernon has been a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law. To research some of the workers’ compensation cases he has tried to a decision from the North Carolina Industrial Commission, please follow this link to the Industrial Commission’s website. Put “public” as both the “user name” and “password” to sign in. Once there, search for “Vernon Sumwalt” in the Full Text search to pull up decisions in his cases.

Since 2014, Vernon has also been a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Law. To research some of his experience in appeals, please follow this link to Google Scholar, select “case law” for “North Carolina courts” and then search for “vernon sumwalt” (in all lowercase).

Licensed for 24 years

State SC

Status Good Standing

Acquired 1998

Updated 02/22/2023

State NC

Status Active

Acquired 1998

Updated 12/27/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

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Charlotte, NC, 28208

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

19 customer reviews

5 Star

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Posted by Josh | August 31, 2020

Great Lawyer

Vernon Sumwalt was the perfect layer for my Workers’ Comp needs. He went above and beyond and fought for me every step of the way. In the end, I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Highly recommend him to anyone looking for representation. He’s got your back.

Posted by Steve | August 7, 2020

Lawyer review

An absolute delight to work with and a very knowledgeable Lawyer. Would recommend 100% if your in need of his services.

Posted by Barbara | August 2, 2020

THE BEST HANDS DOWN!!!

We could not have been any more Satisfied then what we were with Mr. Vernon Sumwalt and his team! This was our second time hiring Mr. Vernon Sumwalt (first back in 2008) & just like the first time, he Did Not disappoint with taking care of my challenging case this time around...I won both times!!! This is Definitely one of The Best Law firms I know & along with Mr. Sumwalt, him and his team are very Caring, Compassionate down to earth folks!! I wish I could give this Law Firm more then a 5 star rating…They Definitely Deserve It for all they do going above and beyond to make sure their clients are taken care of!

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Posted by Sara | July 31, 2020

Peace of mind

Most down to earth individuals we could have asked for. They were so patient and attentive with our mother. They answered her questions clearly and took time and care with her to address all her questions. Unfortunate circumstances that brought us to their office but they helped us navigate her situation all the way through. Thank you!

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Posted by Nancy | May 23, 2020

Proffessiona and competent

I used Vernon for a workers comp case back in 2014 and I was extremly pleased with his work and the outcome of my case.

Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2020

Very Professional

I would highly recommend Vernon Sumwalt for any workers’ compensation case. I worked with Vernon a few years ago, and could not be more pleased with how quickly things were resolved. In addition to conducting himself in a highly professional manner, he was kind, courteous, and returned my (many) calls and emails very promptly. At times when I didn’t understand certain terms or concepts, Vernon would patiently explain things to me again. If I ever need an attorney for any injury or workers’ compensation issues in the future-he would be on my ‘speed dial’ ! J. in Charlotte,NC

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Posted by Amanda | May 9, 2020

Will take care of you!

Vernon Sumwalt is a kind and determined lawyer who goes above and beyond to meet the need of his clients. Vernon and his team were available to answer and address all my questions and concerns. I am very happy with their work and could not have asked for a better settlement. I would highly recommend!

Posted by Dale | February 10, 2020

More the an attorney....

Mr. Sumwalt did more then I could have ever have asked for. He understands his customers, respects them as well he has their best interest in mind. Very personable individual that will explain anything to you....even if it takes some of us a few times to understand. He was there for me when I needed him and no matter where he was at I a question or concern he always called me back. I cannot express my appreciation to Vernon enough. God bless him and thank you again....

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Posted by TITO ALVARADO | February 8, 2020

THE BEST OF THE BEST

Today we live in a time when we constantly complain about services we received, but today I felt compelled to tell everyone what an amazing company and person Vernon Sumwalt is with the Sumwalt Law Firm. I was involved in a workplace accident that caused life changing injuries for me. I was so scared. How was I suppose to support my family? How will I get back to work? Would I be capable to do the same work? I spoke to so many attorneys and everyone I spoke with was all about the money. But Vernon was focused on my well being and my future. He was concerned with how will I be protected. How will I support my family in the future. How will I be trained? Vernon was focused on my mental health after going through the trauma of my injuries. Vernon was not just my attorney, but like my best friend and family member. He was always by my side. Always available to answer my calls and when he was busy his staff was just as amazing as he was. He always took the time to explain everything to me and always valued me and my opinions. I am so thankful that I choice the Sumwalt Law firm. Though the accident I had was life changing, through the hard work and effort of the Sumwalt Law firm my life is better through the services they provided. So if you want a law firm that is honest, ethical, customer oriented and not all about the money but focused on the clients best interest, give Vernon Sumwalt at the Sumwalt Law Firm a call. I promise you will not regret your decision.

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Posted by Lydia | February 7, 2020

Highly recommend

I truly enjoyed working with Vernon Sumwalt about my workman’s comp claim. He was very honest, reliable and sympathetic to my claim. He and his staff went above and beyond my expectations and I have recommended him to several of my co-workers over the years. He is very knowledgeable and will guide you through the entire process from beginning to end. He truly cares for his clients and has their best interest at heart.

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Posted by Mark | February 6, 2020

Retired law enforcement

When all the lawyers in my county would not take my case saying I did not have one. Remembering I had known all of them for 25 years in career as a law enforcement officer. i called Vernon and guess what he said I did have a case. He took on 3 insurance companies with 17 of there lawyers. He showed them how to win a case. Without vernon I would have lost every thing including more than likely my very life. With out a doubt vernon is the finest lawyer I have ever known.

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Posted by Lakesha | February 6, 2020

Excellence!!!

Vernon is absolutely great to work with and he cares so much. He's like family, a big brother that you can call on in time of need. There's no other attorney I would recommend.

Posted by Daniel | February 6, 2020

Great attorney

Vernon is a great lawyer. He and his team helped me over the full length of my case. They were always there to to answer any questions I had and helped me make the best decision for me and my family.

Posted by Sylvester | February 5, 2020

Great Lawyer

Got hurt on the job! Went to see Mr. Sumwalt for a consultation! He answered every question I had! When I called he got back to me right away. Even when he was out of town! If I ever needed a workers Comp lawyer again........HE WOULD BE THE LAWYER I CALL! Thanks Again!! Mr. Cooper

Posted by Dave | February 5, 2020

Client

Vernon Sumwalt treated me not just as a client but as a friend, We still communicate about our families, Not only has he become a great friend but worked miracles on my case involving a major company and a hard fought battle, You could do NO better than to retain Vernon as your attorney.

Posted by Jeffery | January 22, 2020

Workers comp

I went to Vernon when I first got hurt on job he advised me on what to do but stayed behind the scene until the company tried to start trying to get rid of me then he stepped in and got the settlement I deserved. Would recommend him for he care about the you not the big companies.

Posted by Theresa | January 21, 2020

Vernon Sumwalt

When I first went to Vernon I was lost and confused. At my first consultation, Vernon was very detailed and explained the case step by step. I was very satisfied with the results of my case and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing assistance with SSA or worker's compensation. To sum it up, Vernon is AWESOME!!!!!!

Posted by Phil | January 21, 2020

Our Experience

We used Vernon to help us navigate through a difficult Workers Compensation case. He has a natural ability to help you understand what is going on and always made himself available to talk to us whenever we needed him. Vernon is excellent and if you need the best WC attorney available, call him. You will not regret doing so,

Posted by Carol | January 21, 2020

Review

Vernon has represented me on 2 separate cases. If you need an excellent, caring, knowledgeable and experienced attorney Vernon is the is the one to call. First, in a workers comp claim for a work injury in the early 2000's. My claim was going nowhere and my workers comp benefits we're even cut completely because l refused to settle. Vernon stuck with me and diligently fought for me. The result, a fair settlement, and a new law in NC that prevents companies from ever cutting an injured person's money again. Then in 2019 l asked for his help again when my SS benefits we're denied but l could not return to work due to neck and nerve damage. My Dr said working was not in my best interest. Vernon once again fought for me and my benefits we're granted fully 2 months after the hearing. I would recommend Vernon Sumwalt to anyone that needs an attorney, he is the best.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Trial Lawyer
The Sumwalt Group
2020 - Present

Attorney
The Sumwalt Law Firm
2000 - 2020

Trial Lawyer
Suggs & Kelly, PA
1998 - 2000

Law Clerk
Suggs & Kelly, PA
1996 - 1998

View all work experience

Education

University of South Carolina School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1998

University of Miami
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1994

Legal Cases

Walker v. K&W Cafeterias
(Plaintiff-Appellant’s New Brief filed July 10, 2019, and New Reply Brief filed Sept. 25, 2019, oral argument on Jan. 6, 2020)

Watkins v. Federal Express
resolved through Consent Order on July 22, 2019, and order dismissing appeal filed on Aug. 7, 2019

Walker v. K&W Cafeterias
petition for discretionary review granted

View all legal cases

Associations

National College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers
Fellow
2019 - Present

National Academy of Social Insurance
Member
2012 - Present

Lexis-Nexis(R) Larson's National Workers' Compensation Advisory Board
Member
2007 - Present

North Carolina Advocates for Justice
President
2019 - 2020

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Spanish

Honors and Awards

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2020

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2020

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2019

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2019

Top 100 in North Carolina
Top Attorneys in North Carolina (Charlotte Magazine)
2019

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2018

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2018

WC Claimants' "Lawyer of the Year" (Charlotte, NC)
Best Lawyers in America
2018

Top 100 in North Carolina
Top Attorneys in North Carolina (Charlotte Magazine)
2017

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2017

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2017

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2016

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2016

WC Claimants' "Lawyer of the Year" (Charlotte, NC)
Best Lawyers in America
2016

Top 100 in North Carolina
Top Attorneys in North Carolina (Charlotte Magazine)
2016

Top 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Top Attorneys in North Carolina (Charlotte Magazine)
2016

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2015

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2015

Top 100 in North Carolina
Top Attorneys in North Carolina (Charlotte Magazine)
2015

Top 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina
Top Attorneys in North Carolina (Charlotte Magazine)
2015

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2014

Board Certified Specialist - Appellate Practice
North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
2014

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2014

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2013

WC Claimants' "Lawyer of the Year" (Charlotte, NC)
Best Lawyers in America
2013

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2013

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2012

Ebbie Award
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2012

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2012

Honorary New Lawyer Award
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2011

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2011

James L. Cross Leadership Award
North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
2011

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2011

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2010

Super Lawyer
SuperLawyers
2010

Order of Service
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
2009

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2009

Board Certified Specialist - Workers' Compensation Law
North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
2005

AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
N/A

View all awards

Publications

Trial Briefs (NCAJ)
President’s Column: Best Lawyers v. Best Lawyering
2020

Trial Briefs (NCAJ)
President’s Column: The Extra Mile (The World is Changing—and So Are We)
2020

Trial Briefs (NCAJ)
President’s Column
2019

North Carolina Advocates for Justice Blog
President’s Column: Our Time to Take Back the Courtroom
2019

Trial Briefs (NCAJ)
President’s Column: Music Lessons (and the Legend of Ben Folds)
2019

Balloon Press
Negligence Policy, Elements, and Evidence: The Role of Foreseeability in the Law of Fifty States
2018

Lexis-Nexis Practice Guide: North Carolina Workers’ Compensation
2017

LexisNexis e-Newsletter
Workers’ Compensation and Its Secondary Payers: Medicare and Medicaid
2015

Trial Briefs (North Carolina Advocates for Justice)
Workers’ Comp Bills Filed in 2013
2013

Commentary on 2013 North Carolina Workers’ Comp Related Legislation
2013

LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter National Edition vol. 3, issue 9
WCRI's Baseline for Evaluating the Impact of North Carolina's 2011 Reforms: A Measuring Stick That Falls Short
2012

LEXIS-NEXIS® (1st Edition 2012, 2nd Edition 2014, 3rd Edition 2016)
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law: A Practical Guide to Success at Every Stage of a Claim; Chapter 13, “Credits under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act”
2012

LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter National Edition, vol. 2, issue 24
Off-Label Uses of Medical Products and Services
2011

Wrote the North Carolina sub-chapter 6.11 for “State Specific WCMSA Requirements (2011 edition and annual republications, LEXIS-NEXIS®)
The Complete Guide to Medicare Secondary Payor Compliance
2011

LEXIS-NEXIS® Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter National Edition vol. 2, issue 41
It’s Still the Economy, Stupid: Considering the NCCI Research Brief ‘Workers’ Compensation Claims Frequency
2011

2010 Emerging Issues 4876 (LEXIS-NEXIS®)
Vernon Sumwalt on Preapproval and Awards of Retroactive Attendant Care Services: Boylan v. Verizon Wireless, 685 S.E.2d 155
2010

Vernon Sumwalt on "A Tale of Two Cases" (Stare Decisis Only Matters Sometimes): Gregory v. W.A. Brown & Sons, 2010 N.C. LEXIS 35
2010

South Carolina Damages (South Carolina Bar 2nd Edition)
Chapter 39: Workers’ Compensation
2009

The Course & Scope Vol. 22, No. 2 (N.C. Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section)
The Chair’s Comments: Is There a Bailout in Our Future?
2009

97-10.2(e): Outlaw v. APAC-Atlantic, Inc.,” Workers’ Compensation Law Community Powered by Lexis-Nexis® and Expert Commentary (LEXIS-NEXIS ®)
Vernon Sumwalt on "Last Clear Chance" Doctrine under N.C. Gen. Stat.
2009

"Scenes We’d Like to See" from WCRI’s Medical Benchmark Studies
2009

Bye Bye Brewington
2009

Chronicles (South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Education Association)
A North Carolina Perspective: Mediation Pros and Cons
2009

Misrepresentation in Contract of Employment: Did North Carolina Decision in Freeman v. Rothrock Go Too Far?
2008

The Course and Scope Vol. 22, No. 1 (N.C. Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section)
The Chair’s Comments
2008

The Course and & Scope vol. 21, no. 1 (North Carolina Bar Association)
Membership Profile—Rick Harper
2007

LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries, Vernon Sumwalt on Proving Causation of Work-Related Medical Conditions
2007

LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries: Larson Series, Vernon Sumwalt on the Physician-Patient Privilege in Workers’ Compensation Cases Since the Enactment of N.C. Gen. Stat.
2007

Shaw v. U.S. Airways, Inc., ___ N.C. App. ___, 652 S.E.2d 22, 2007 N.C. App. LEXIS 2320 (February 2008, LEXIS-NEXIS® © 2007)
LexisNexis® Expert Commentaries: Larson Series, Vernon Sumwalt on North Carolina Evaluation of Fringe Benefits in an Employee’s ‘Average Weekly Wage’
2007

Trial Briefs (North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
Proving Causation in Injury Cases
2006

South Carolina Damages Vol. 2 (South Carolina Bar, 1st Edition)
Workers' Compensation (Chapter 27)
2004

South Carolina Lawyer Bulletin (South Carolina Trial Lawyers)
Ten Things Every Workers’ Compensation Attorney Should Know about Medicare
2004

The Course & Scope Vol. 17, No. 1 (North Carolina Bar Association)
Revisiting the Workers’ Compensation/Social Security Offset
2003

South Carolina Bar (3rd edition 2003, 4th edition 2005, 5th edition 2008, 6th edition 2012, 7th edition 2019)
The Law of Workers' Compensation Insurance in South Carolina
2003

Workers’ Compensation Committee Program (American Bar Association, San Francisco, California)
A Continuation of the Medicare Forum and Its Impact on The Workers’ Compensation System
2003