Call Us 919-240-4054Last month, the North Carolina legislature passed a bill aimed at workers’ compensation reform. One controversial part to the bill had media leaders and open records activists calling for Gov. Perdue to veto it. According to the Charlotte Observer, the bill restricts public access to the information provided to the Industrial Commission by the Rate Bureau. […]
In the News
Valerie Johnson is named Vice Chair of NCAJ Workers’ Compensation Section
North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) is an organization of attorneys advocating for people and their rights. At its annual convention in June 2012, Valerie Johnson was named the Vice Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee. The Workers’ Compensation Committee focuses on the betterment of the law for injured workers and advocacy in the state […]
Teacher and school system ordered to pay $4.5M in molestation case
This week a jury in Carlsbad, California found a teacher, Raymond Firth, and the Carlsbad School District responsible for molestation of two young girls. The jury unanimously awarded a total of $4.5 million to the two girls who were molested by Mr. Firth while they were in his third-grade classroom. The jurors found that Mr. Firth […]
In wake of tragic death, Ann Groninger interviewed on bicycle safety
Last week’s death of Myers Park High School student Drew Wright while riding his bicycle to school left the Charlotte community reeling and looking for answers regarding road safety and particularly safe routes to school. A number of news organizations responded, including Charlotte Fox News, which interviewed CJG Attorney Ann Groninger about bicycle safety.
Good Samaritans help apprehend hit and run driver
On Monday afternoon in Bethlehem, PA, a cyclist named Frank Pavlick was struck by a black sedan whose driver immediately tried to flee the scene. However, upon seeing the crash, a public bus driver, Richard Gubish, Jr., maneuvered the bus to block both lanes of traffic, thus keeping the sedan driver from leaving the scene. Additionally, […]
Employers who don’t carry workers’ compensation insurance: a North Carolina problem
The Raleigh News and Observer this past weekend highlighted the plight of injured workers whose employers knowingly refuse to carry workers’ compensation insurance. These businesses pocket the insurance money, and get a competitive advantage over businesses that do not carry the insurance. When their employees are injured and there is no insurance company to pay […]
Ann part of group at work improving bicycling safety
Our focus in this firm is on making our clients’ lives better. That goes for the day-to-day legal work as well as our hobbies. Check out the Bike Law blog and Facebook page to see what we’re doing. And read Ann’s post about a recent meeting with NC DMV and DOT officials about improving cycling safety on a statewide […]
Lawsuit filed against Coca-Cola for racial discrimination
Recently, two Coca-Cola production plants in New York have come under fire for alleged discrimination towards minority workers. According to the New York Daily News, sixteen plant employees are suing the manufacturer for being subjected to “a cesspool of racial discrimination”. One worker, Sondra Walker claims that she has been called such names as “Nappy […]
Valerie Johnson teaches law students how to be better trial lawyers
A longtime law school adjunct professor, Valerie Johnson has wrapped up her spring semester class at the University of North Carolina School of Law. This is an interactive trial advocacy course for upper class members. The course not only addresses proper protocol and terminology, but also enables the students to find their voice, using courtroom simulations.
Valerie Johnson presents at workers’ compensation roundtable
On March 5, 2012, Valerie Johnson spoke at the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ) workers’ compensation roundtable in Concord, North Carolina. Valerie spoke on appeal of Deputy Commissioner decisions to the Full Commission. Valerie prepared the following materials for the presentation: Top Ten Things to Remember for Practice before the Full Commission Appendix to […]
