Rule: The insurance company picks the medical provider. The injured worker can request a change in treatment. When you need a doctor, of course you choose to go to the one you know and trust. But when you have a workers’ comp claim and the insurance company is paying for your medical treatment that is not the rule. […]
Personal Injury
What does “injury by accident” mean?
An injury by accident is an unusual event that interrupts normal work. The word “accident” is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance.” That definition makes sense: you don’t have an accident unless something out of the ordinary happens. When you apply that definition to workers’ comp in North Carolina, there isn’t an “accident” […]
Be sure to keep your emotions in check in a legal dispute
A recent case that went all the way to the NC Court of Appeals confirms that if you deviate from the plain terms of a contract out of pure spite, you may get hit with a jury award for unfair and deceptive trade practices. And if you still don’t take responsibility and you appeal, you are probably […]
Missing workers’ comp checks for state workers
As WTVD 11 has reported, state employees around North Carolina have not been receiving their workers’ compensation checks. On July 1 North Carolina transferred its workers’ compensation administration away from CorVel to Sedgwick. The change did not go smoothly. Hundreds of school employees have not received weekly compensation since July 1. This delay has continued despite […]
Understanding workers’ comp: part 5
The rule explained in “Understanding workers’ comp: part 1” is clear — to have a covered injury a worker must have had an injury by accident — also has notable exceptions. But back injuries without a clear accidental cause, many specific occupational diseases, and other work-related conditions can also be covered under workers’ compensation. Each of […]
Cycling accidents can be very serious
Watch Ann’s video about how serious cycling accidents can be.
Who we represent
Most of our bicycle cases involve bicycle-automobile interactions but we do represent cyclists in other situations. Watch our recent video of Ann explaining the types of bicycle cases we handle.
Why side guards on big trucks could save the lives of cyclists and pedestrians
The National Transportation Systems Center reports that nearly half of bicyclists and more than one-quarter of pedestrians that are killed by large trucks hit the side of the truck first. A large portion of these fatalities could be prevented if the truck were equipped with side guards. Truck side guards are vehicle-based safety devices that cover the exposed space between the […]
Ann Groninger interviewed by NC Lawyers Weekly
The wheels of justice: Charlotte attorney works to protect those who cycle The roads can be a dangerous place for bicyclists. Charlotte attorney Ann Groninger of Johnson & Groninger knows that better than most. An avid cycler herself, most of Groninger’s practice is devoted to advocating on behalf of cyclists who have been injured in […]
Should I consult with a lawyer?
No one should speak to an insurance adjuster without first calling an experienced lawyer. There are things people don’t think of when settling a case, and they need to know about those things. Here’s Ann’s advice on the importance of an attorney consultation.