Understanding Industrial Commission Appointments

The North Carolina Industrial Commission is vested as a court of exclusive and original jurisdiction by the North Carolina General Assembly. It was established to adjudicate and administer the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act and all claims filed under it.

The responsibilities of the North Carolina Industrial Commission include overseeing and facilitating trials of contested cases, as well as administering non-contested cases. Workers who were injured on the job or contracted an occupational disease can claim statutory disability and medical benefits as ordered by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

About North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Full Commissioners

The North Carolina Industrial Commission consists of six Full Commissioners. They are appointed by the Governor of the State of North Carolina for a six-year term. Appointments of Full Commissioners are subject to confirmation by the North Carolina General Assembly by joint resolution. Three Full Commissioners shall be persons, who on account of their previous vocations, employment or affiliations, be classified as representatives of employers. The other three commissioners will be classed as representatives of employees. No person may serve as a Full Commissioner for more than two terms.

One member of the Full Commission is designated by the Governor of the State of North Carolina as the Chairperson of the Full Commission. The Full Commission sets administrative policies on how cases should be handled under its purview. Operational aspects of the North Carolina Industrial Commission staff are also planned by them.

In addition to their policy-setting role, the Full Commissioners sit in panels as the quasi-judicial appellate level of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. These Full Commission panels resolve claims through a system called: Orders, Opinions, and Decisions. It is based upon an appeal of the decision from a Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Hearings before a Full Commission panel are generally held in the State capital.

About North Carolina Industrial Commission’s Deputy Commissioners

The Chair of the Full Commission may appoint Deputy Commissioners to serve a term of six years on average. No person may serve as a Deputy Commissioner for more than two terms. Deputy commissioners have the same power as members of the Full Commission; taking evidence and entering orders, opinions, and awards owned by Full Commission members.

North Carolina Board Certified Workers’ Compensation attorneys from Cardinal Law Partners have appeared before the Deputy Commissioners and Full Commissioners of the North Carolina Industrial Commission on multiple occasions. We have years of experience representing clients in hearings involving Deputy Commissioners or Full Commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

If you or a loved one has any inquiries or need to appear before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, contact Cardinal Law Partners today. Our attorneys are experienced in handling all aspects of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. Our team can help you navigate the Workers’ Compensation claims process in North Carolina and the surrounding areas.to Call (833) 444-4127 contact us today!