James E.R. Ratledge, Reginald B. Gillespie, Jr., and Daniel C. Pope, Jr. have been named North Carolina 2022 Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers magazine! Each year, Super Lawyers recognizes the top five percent of lawyers in North Carolina via a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation. Congratulations!
Firm News
Daniel C. Pope, Jr. to Speak at North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section
Daniel C. Pope, Jr. will be speaking on February 5, 2021, for the course “COVID, COVID, Go Away, Workers’ Comp. Is Here to Stay” (2021 Workers’ Compensation Winter Program). Should you Become a Workers’ Compensation Specialist? Mr. Pope will analyze what it means to be a certified workers’ compensation specialist and why you may want to become a specialist. Determine if you’re eligible to become a certified specialist, what steps to take — including the specialization exam — and the timeline for becoming a specialist in 2021.
Frances M. Clement Defends Appeal To Court of Appeals
Frances M. Clement successfully defended an appeal brought by an employee to the Court of Appeals requesting full compensability after the Full Commission conducted a hearing and wholly denied Plaintiff’s claim on credibility grounds. The Court of Appeals affirmed the Full Commission’s opinion and award, denying Plaintiff compensation.
Kristine L. Prati Defends Appeal To Full Commission
Kristine L. Prati successfully defended an appeal brought by the employee to the Full Commission requesting reinstatement of indemnity benefits. In the Opinion and Award filed on August 15, 2016, the Full Commission agreed with the prior ruling of the Deputy Commissioner and refused to award ongoing temporary total disability benefits as the employee failed to prove that he was disabled.
Kristine L. Prati Recertified As Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law
On February 12, 2016, Kristine L. Prati was recertified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law.
Kristine L. Prati Successfully Defends Industrial Commission Case
Kristine L. Prati has successfully defended a case before the Industrial Commission. At issue was whether the employee was entitled to medical and indemnity benefits as a result of an occupational disease she allegedly sustained at one of her last three employers. On July 17, 2015, the deputy commissioner filed an Opinion and Award, determining that the employee is disabled as a result of her current medical condition; however, her medical condition was not caused by her employment with any of the named employers.