Workers' Compensation: $110,000 For Burn Injuries
August 2011
David worked as a laborer for a construction company in Albemarle, North Carolina. He was injured in a terrible explosion. David sustained burns to various areas of his body. He suffered additional complications, such as hearing loss, thermal sensitivity, numbness in his extremities, etc. Our client likewise suffered psychological trauma from this accident.
A former client referred David to our firm. I immediately went to meet with David and his family. I determined he needed assistance with both a workers' compensation and a personal injury claim.
I pursued David's workers' compensation case for several years. A primary complication in this case was the extensive medical treatment required to address David's burns. We worked to ensure David received the necessary treatment to maximize his medical recovery. I hoped David could return to work at some point. Most importantly, I hoped David could recoup his quality of life.
I carefully negotiated with opposing counsel to navigate the issues regarding our client's return to work. David's worked for a small employer, and he had a fairly lengthy employment history. We worked to maintain their relationship despite the challenges of a workers' compensation claim. While David was unable to work, we ensured he received weekly benefits (temporary total disability) from the insurance company.
Opposing counsel maintained a strong defense of this claim due to the significant exposure for the Defendants. I eventually resolved the workers' compensation claim for David at mediation for an additional $110,000.
Through the pursuit of David's workers' compensation claim, we saw him achieve tremendous medical improvement. We obtained the monetary benefits needed to support David's family while he recovered. With the resolution of his case, David's family was able to more forward in a productive manner.
Practice area(s): Workers Compensation
Christopher Shumate
Mr. Chris Shumate is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina, and worked various jobs while pursuing his undergraduate and Juris Doctor education, including several heavy manual labor and skilled trade positions. In his practice, Mr. Shumate often encounters circumstances where these prior experiences are helpful in representing you. Upon graduating law school from the University of South Carolina, Mr. Shumate joined one of the Carolinas' larger defense firms, where he represented a diverse set of employers and insurance companies in civil cases and workers' compensation claims across the Carolinas. Chris utilized this experience to obtain a working knowledge of the insurance industry, and build personal contacts used today in representing you. Mr. Shumate ultimately decided he wanted to focus his law practice on assisting those who have been injured, and doing so with the focus on a personal relationship that is uncommon in the bigger firms.
Mr. Shumate's also has a passion for assisting those facing the challenges of the criminal legal system. By representing individuals in a variety of criminal and traffic matters, Mr. Shumate works to achieve the best possible result for each client regardless of the charges levied by the prosecution. Chris has tirelessly pursued his mission of helping people from all walks of life throughout the Carolinas with a variety of legal matters.
If you are interested in learning more about Chris Shumate and The Shumate Law Offices, please contact us at 704.371.5059. We look forward to assisting you to achieve a positive result in your legal concern.
Education
J.D., University of South Carolina
B.S., University of South Carolina
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
N.C. State BarS.C. State BarU.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
N.C. Bar Association
S.C. Bar Association
Mecklenburg County Bar
N.C. Academy Of Trial Lawyers
American Association For Justice
