Fri, December 5, 2025
9:25 AM - 4:45 PM ET
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Due to the impending inclement weather for Friday, December 5th, we have adjusted the schedule for the seminar. Please take note of the adjusted times.
Virtual | 32nd Annual Workplace Torts & Workers’ Comp
December 5, 2025 | 6.0 CLE Hours
Please note you are registering to attend virtually
Workplace Torts continues as the flagship CLE for Workers’ Comp practitioners, covering the multiple disciplines involved in work injuries. This annual seminar is structured as a “holiday feast” of CLE and is designed to provide balanced and valuable information to all attendees, including plaintiffs’ attorneys, defense attorneys (both sides of the v.), and members of the Industrial Commission.
The seminar begins with the tried-and-true favorites, including an extensive case law update (45 minutes) followed by a 30-minute judicial view of significant decisions featuring Justice Richard Dietz and Judge Toby Hampson. We will serve up the "stuffing" with an Average Weekly Wage (AWW) Deep Dive, focusing on complex issues like independent contractors and seasonal employee classifications.
Before lunch, Professor Barbara Osborne will lead a 60-minute discussion on the “Sports Law Issue: College Athletes as Employees: What House v. NCAA Didn't Resolve.” The early afternoon features a 60-minute medical discussion, presented by Dr. Carey-Walter Closson of Carolinas Pain Institute, covering cutting-edge developments, such as non-permanent peripheral nerve stimulators. Attendees will also receive practical advice on clincher and consent order issues, “These Are a Few of My Favorite Cases,” (the "dessert"), followed by the essential ethics segment (1.0 hour), where Brian Groesser will tackle conflicts of interest and discovery obligations (the "vegetables").
Topics & Speakers
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9:25 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks by Program Chairs
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Michael Bertics, Lennon, Camak & Bertics, PLLC, Raleigh
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Martha Ramsay, Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., Charlotte
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9:30 a.m. | Case Law Update: Review of Workers’ Compensation Decisions from the NC Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
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Stewart Poisson, Poisson Poisson & Bower, PLLC Wilmington
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Vernon Sumwalt, The Sumwalt Group Workers' Compensation and Trial Lawyers, Charlotte
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10:15 a.m. | Judicial View of Significant Decisions
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Justice Richard Dietz, NC Supreme Court, Raleigh
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Judge Toby Hampson, NC Court of Appeal, Raleigh
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10:45 a.m. | Break
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11 a.m. | A Deep Dive into Average Weekly Wage Calculations: Independent Contractors, Seasonal Employees, and Minor League Contracts
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Michael Bertics, Lennon, Camak & Bertics, PLLC, Raleigh
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Frank Bricio, The Bricio Law Firm, PLLC, Cary
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11:45 a.m. | College Athletes as Employees: What House v. NCAA Didn’t Resolve
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Professor Barbara Osborne, UNC-Chapel Hill
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12:45 p.m. | Lunch
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1:30 p.m. | Peripheral Nerve Stimulators: Cutting-Edge Pain Management and Treatment for Work Injuries
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Dr. Carey-Walter Closson, Carolinas Pain Institute, Charlotte
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2:30 p.m. | Clincher and Consent Order Issues: A View From the Bench on Common Issues and How to Resolve Them
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Kevin V. Howell, Dispute Resolution Coordinator & Deputy Commissioner, NCIC, Raleigh
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3 p.m. | Break
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3:15 p.m. | These Are a Few of My Favorite…. Case Citations
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Fred Poisson, Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, Wadesboro
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James C. Gillen, NCIC Commissioner, Raleigh
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3:45 p.m. | Ethics: Why Is Defense Counsel Doing That? Conflicts of Interest and Discovery Obligations for Both Sides of the Bar
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Brian Groesser, Speaks Law Firm, Raleigh
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4:45 p.m. | Adjourn
Seminar Materials
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All of our seminar materials are PAPERLESS! Please be on the lookout for an email 72 hours prior to the seminar that includes an electronic link to the seminar materials to download and print.
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This program will also be available for purchase on demand two weeks following the live seminar date.
North Carolina State Bar, Board of Continuing Legal Education
Credit has been approved with the North Carolina State Bar, Board of Continuing Legal Education for 1.00 Ethics credit and 5.00 Other credits.
You are registering for the virtual option for this seminar.
Please be sure to complete the virtual registration process by following the link included at the bottom your confirmation email. This will provide you the login link for the day of the seminar.
Preferred Partners
Diamond Preferred Partner | $50,000 Annual Investment
Personal injuries are painful emotionally and physically. Personal injury settlements should represent healing and order born out of chaos and loss.
When you work with Byrd Settlements, we will:
- Protect your recovery
- Simplify your life
- Secure your future
We provide as much or as little direction as needed to create a lifetime of financial security.
We consider it our responsibility to both clients and their loved ones to reduce or even eliminate financial risk to the extent possible and appropriate and do everything we can to provide a lifetime of financial security.
Website: https://www.byrdsettlements.com/.png)
Diamond Preferred Partner | $50,000 Annual Investment
With over 30 years of litigation and settlement planning experience, Raleigh attorney Tacker LeCarpentier started Settlement Planning Services to provide comprehensive settlement planning services to injury victims, their families and attorneys throughout the State of North Carolina. A North Carolina native, Tacker has been a strong NCAJ supporter, member and sponsor for over 17 years. At no charge to your clients, Tacker and his associates offer life care planning cost analysis, governmental benefits assessments, mediation attendance, as well as appearances at all settlement hearings. Settlement planning solutions include Structured Settlements, Special Needs Trusts, Family Security and Settlement Preservation Trusts, Medicare Set-Aside Accounts, and lien resolution assistance.
Securing Your Clients’ Future Financial Needs.
Website: http://www.settlementplanningllc.com/Sapphire Preferred Partner | $40,000 Annual Investment
Cattie & Gonzalez is the nation’s preeminent law firm providing clients legal advice about resolving liens and protecting future healthcare benefits like Medicare and Medicaid. Our team of experienced attorneys, paralegals, nurses and analysts knows how to get great reductions for Medicare conditional payments, Medicaid liens, and other liens. We also provide clients with services such as future medical cost projections, Medicare Set-aside (MSA) Allocations, and the ability to submit MSAs to Medicare for review and approval. Perhaps our most innovative service though is our MSA Legal Opinion, which is used by thousands of clients nationwide to protect a client’s future Medicare benefits and protect the client and firm from Medicare’s potential overreach for MSA proceeds.
We call it the Cattie Promise, and we stand behind the legal conclusions of our MSA Legal Opinions 100%. Cattie & Gonzalez is based in Charlotte, and we look forward to resolving liens and preservation future government benefits on behalf of the victims of Camp Lejeune and its contaminated water.
Learn more about what Cattie & Gonzalez can do for your clients.
Website: https://www.cattielaw.com/

Ruby Preferred Partner | $30,000 Annual Investment
Bryan Milner is a Senior Structured Settlement Consultant with Milner Settlements through Sage Settlement Consulting. He has been working with attorneys and their clients in North Carolina for over 22 years, and continues to be a strong supporter of NCAJ. Bryan takes on a compassionate, comprehensive approach. He understands the important and complex financial decisions that face individuals and families who are receiving settlements. He provides creative structured settlement options and helps the attorney navigate the complexities of settlement-related issues such as Medicare Set-Asides, Trusts, Lien Resolution, etc. He also assists attorneys with designing fee structures for their contingency fees. Bryan is a committee member of the newly formed American Association of Settlement Consultants (AASC).
Website: https://www.milnersettlements.com/

Silver Preferred Partner | $10,000 Annual Investment
Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP) is a specialized workers’ compensation home delivery pharmacy that helps injured workers access their prescription medications without delays, denials, or out-of-pocket costs. As your workers’ compensation partner, you can expect your clients will receive their prescription medications when and where they need them, while we alleviate some of the administrative hassles for you and your office along the way. To learn more about IWP, visit our website at www.IWPharmacy.com.
Website: https://www.iwpharmacy.com/
Bronze Preferred Partner | $7500 Annual Investment
Ametros is changing the way individuals navigate healthcare by providing them with post–settlement medical management tools for their settlement funds. Ametros helps drive more settlements and save money by working closely with injured workers, insurers, employers, attorneys, and Medicare to create a seamless experience.
Website: https://ametros.com/Circle of Leadership
Circle of Leadership - Diamond Level | $24,000 Annual Investment
At Abrams & Abrams, P.A., we are committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by catastrophic personal injuries. We have built a reputation throughout the legal community for effectively managing complex personal injury cases while preserving the dignity of the people we represent.
With over 100 years of combined experience, our team of dedicated attorneys is focused on helping you recover from your injuries – both physically and financially. When you have questions about your legal options and concerns about your future, you can count on us to help you make informed decisions that help pave the path for a better future.
Website: https://www.abramslawfirm.com/.png)
Circle of Leadership - Diamond Level | $24,000 Annual Investment
Bryson Harris Suciu & DeMay, PLLC is a national plaintiff’s firm, based in Raleigh, North Carolina focusing on class actions, mass arbitrations and mass torts, that regularly litigates against some of the largest defendants in the world. The firm represents individuals and public entities in a wide array of cases including consumer protection, data privacy, environmental, banking, defective products, and other matters involving corporate misconduct. The firm frequently co-counsels with other firms to assemble the best team possible in litigating these high stakes cases.
Website: http://www.brysonpllc.com
Circle of Leadership - Diamond Level | $24,000 Annual Investment
Henson Fuerst Attorneys handles serious personal injury, nursing home abuse and neglect, social security disability, workers' compensation and eminent domain cases across the state of North Carolina. Founded in 1976, the firm's principal offices are located in Raleigh and Rocky Mount. Henson Fuerst has 11 attorneys and 20+ staff including certified paralegals, a nurse, private investigator, case managers and support personnel.
Website: http://www.hensonfuerst.com.png)
Circle of Leadership - Diamond Level | $24,000 Annual Investment
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has helped over 73,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 14 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 60+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability.
Website: https://www.farrin.com.jpg)
Circle of Leadership - Diamond Level | $24,000 Annual Investment
The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, P.A. is widely recognized for its unwavering advocacy and record of success in representing individuals throughout North Carolina who have been seriously injured or killed by tractor-trailer and bus collisions, construction accidents, animal attacks, and nursing home neglect. With a strong focus on justice and accountability, the firm has earned a reputation for delivering powerful results in high-stakes injury cases.
Founder John M. McCabe is a former President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Visitors at Campbell University School of Law. For more than three decades, John and his team have worked not only to secure justice for their clients, but also to reform laws that unfairly limit the rights of injury victims.
John recently led the charge for historic changes to North Carolina’s automobile insurance laws—reforms that significantly increased the state’s minimum liability coverage for the first time in decades and eliminated a longstanding credit that allowed insurance companies to deny the full benefits of purchased coverage. These efforts have improved the ability of accident victims to recover fair compensation and hold insurers accountable.
Website: https://mccabelawoffices.com/
Circle of Leadership - Diamond Level | $24,000 Annual Investment
Whitley Law Firm is a more than 50-year-old, North Carolina-based personal injury firm. We have a great respect and concern for the law, for the concepts of fairness and justice, and for our seriously injured clients. We are committed to the highest quality client service and one-on-one attention to each of our clients as we help them through this difficult time.
Website: https://whitleylawfirm.com/
Circle of Leadership - Sapphire Level | $18,000 Annual Investment
Brown Moore & Associates, PLLC is a premier litigation firm specializing in personal injury, workers' compensation and medical malpractice. Our dedicated and experienced team of trial lawyers serve citizens in both North Carolina and South Carolina.
Website: https://www.brownmoorelaw.com
Circle of Leadership - Emerald Level | $6000 Annual Investment
Ricci Law Firm PA focuses on personal injury and workers compensation cases throughout North Carolina. Since 1997, Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers has provided exceptional legal assistance and care for North Carolinians who experience life-changing injuries and the loss of loved ones.
Website: https://www.riccilawnc.com/
Circle of Leadership - Emerald Level | $6000 Annual Investment
The Sumwalt Group is a boutique law firm focusing on workers' compensation claims and third-party actions throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.
Website: http://www.sumwaltgrouplaw.com
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
At Collier Law, we are passionate about getting justice for our clients. We will gladly provide you with a free consultation on your workers’ compensation case and give you straightforward, professional feedback. In addition to English, we are also able to provide legal service in fully proficient Spanish and French, as well as working proficiency in Portuguese, Italian, and German.
Website: https://collierlawpllc.com/
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
Since 1979, Grimes Teich Anderson has been committed to one thing, protecting the rights and interests of good people by providing them with high-quality, compassionate legal representation. We know the insurance companies, we know the courts, and we know what it takes to get our clients what they need. We’ve helped thousands of hardworking people secure the justice and compensation they need.* Now let us help you.
Website: https://www.grimesandteich.com/
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
Lennon, Camak & Bertics, PLLC is a workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our attorneys are North Carolina natives who have spent the majority of their professional lives in Raleigh. They’ve dedicated their legal careers to helping North Carolinians, and they can help you too.
Website: http://www.ncworkcomp.com
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, is one of the most respected injury law firms in North Carolina. With a focus on personal injury cases and workers’ compensation claims, our attorneys have earned a reputation as top-notch advocates for accident victims in Wadesboro, Wilmington, and throughout the surrounding areas. For more than 40 years and through three generations of attorneys, our firm has upheld a genuine commitment to compassionate client service.
Website: https://poissonlaw.com/
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
At the Ramsay Law Firm, our dedicated legal team strives to maximize your recovery in a timely manner. Our lawyer and paralegal case managers are available to answer your questions and address your concerns. We pride ourselves on providing highly personalized, responsive service
to our clients and their families.

Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
At Roberts Law Firm, P.A., we are committed to representing and protecting the rights of injured individuals across North Carolina. Our attorneys have nearly 40 years of combined experience working on cases relating to workers’ compensation, personal injury, and nursing home negligence.
Website: https://www.robertslawfirmpa.com.png)
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
Based in Charlotte, The Law Offices of Bradley H. Smith serves injured workers in North Carolina and South Carolina. We have over 20 years of experience handling workers’ compensation cases and are one of a small number of board-certified specialists in workers’ compensation law in North Carolina.
Website: https://bradsmithlaw.com/
Circle of Leadership - Topaz Level | Up to $1500 Annual Investment
Mr. Acree is a board-certified specialist in workers’ compensation law. Over 100% of his practice involves handling work-related injuries and occupational diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. He has been practicing law for over 35 years. He is dedicated to representing injured and sick workers that have not necessarily been treated fairly by their employers and the insurance carriers. His experience lends itself to providing compassionate, effective representation.
- Cancellations received one week prior to the seminar date are refunded less a $40 service charge. Refunds cannot be given after this date.
- Substitutions are welcomed and may be made until the date of the seminar. For registrants who wish to transfer their registration to another NCAJ seminar, transfer requests received by noon the third working day prior to the seminar are subject to a $50 transfer fee. Transfer requests received after this time are subject to a $110 transfer fee.
- If you wish to transfer to the virtual option, you will be required to pay a $40 service charge before transfer is made. Registrations may be transferred once and only to (one day) seminars scheduled through June 30, 2026.




























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