Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Last Updated: December 22, 2025
Workers’ Compensation Attorneys In Greensboro, NC
If you have been hurt on the job, call local attorneys at Roane Law. Attorney James Roane and board certified attorney Kara McIvor are here to fight your case. We are willing to talk for free, so call now. Information never hurts. Depending on the details of your claim, you could be eligible to have your medical expenses fully covered. In some cases, you may even receive payment for past lost wages, future lost wages, and permanent injuries.
Workers’ compensation claims can be challenging. The law, procedures, rules, forms, and requirements involved can be complicated and often don’t make common sense. Problems and conflicts frequently arise over the nature or extent of medical treatment, proper wage loss compensation, late payments, compliance with work restrictions, vocational rehabilitation, and any number of other matters. Sometimes, legitimate claims are denied, adding insult to injury and creating hardship.
No matter how dedicated an employee you are, when you are injured at work, you shouldn’t count on your employer or the insurance company to take care of you. Just having a work injury is stressful enough, the best way to protect your interests and relieve some of the stress is to call an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can fight for your rights.
At Roane Law, we exclusively focus on injury cases, and we’ve spent nearly 20 years serving the people of North Carolina. When you work with us, Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyers, you can rest assured knowing your future is in good hands.
When Can I Be Eligible For Workers’ Compensation?
Companies with 3 or more employees are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in North Carolina or qualify as self-insured, according to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. This means that regardless of your industry, you can file a workers’ compensation claim if you have been injured while performing your job.
In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation, however, there are a few conditions you must meet. First, for any injury other than back/neck and occupational diseases, your injury must be caused by an accident and must “arise out of the course and scope” of your employment. For back and neck injuries, they must be related to your job but don’t require unusual circumstances/ an accident, as long as you can identify a “specific traumatic incident.” Some occupational diseases and repetitive motion injuries are covered but the requirements are more complicated than other types of cases. Second, you also must be considered a legal employee, which may prove difficult for some independent contractors, as the insurance companies often try to claim that these are not true employees. There are also circumstances in which people are actually employees but are labeled independent contractors by employers to avoid having to pay for workers’ compensation insurance coverage. In these situations, it’s especially important to review your case with a Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyer.
No matter the nature of your injury, we can communicate directly with the Workers’ Compensation insurance company to make sure that you receive the treatment you need, the benefits to which you are entitled, and ensure that your settlement is fair.
Case Results
$950,000
Orthopedic & Brain Trauma
A steelworker was seriously injured when a bucket of cement was dropped on him at a job site. He suffered multiple orthopedic injuries and a moderate brain injury, leaving him with long-term limitations and the inability to return to his prior work. After years of hard-fought litigation, the construction company settled just weeks before trial for $950,000, helping to cover his ongoing medical care and reduced earning capacity.
$300,000
Workers’ Comp and Third-Party Claim
At Roane Law, we know how to coordinate workers’ compensation and third-party claims to maximize our clients’ recovery. In one case, our client had already received $146,000 in workers’ compensation benefits, but the defendants offered only $1,500 on the related third-party claim. Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyer James Roane fought the case for over a year and took it to trial. The jury returned a $300,000 verdict, and even when one insurance company tried to avoid paying after the verdict, we continued to push until our client received the compensation they were owed.
See more case results from our trial-winning Greensboro lawyers.
Why Choose Roane Law for Your Workers’ Compensation Case?
When you’re hurt on the job, you need a legal team with real courtroom strength, proven results, and a history of standing up to insurance companies. At Roane Law, we bring nearly 30 years of focused experience to workers’ compensation and serious injury cases. Our mission is to protect injured workers, preserve their dignity, and fight for the full benefits they deserve.
- Leadership Built on Real Experience:
Founding attorney James M. Roane III became a trial lawyer after surviving a life-changing crash in 1995. His own battle with insurance companies shaped the firm’s commitment to injured workers and families facing difficult recoveries. - Victories in Tough, High-Stakes Cases:
Roane Law has earned jury verdicts in every Piedmont county and secured wins before both the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the NC Supreme Court. Our results reflect the depth of preparation we bring to every case—whether it settles or goes to trial. - A Team Recognized for Excellence:
James has received the NC Academy of Trial Lawyers’ Most Outstanding Advocate Award and has taught trial advocacy at Elon Law for more than a decade. Attorney Kara F. McIvor is a Board Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law with an AV Preeminent rating, and attorney Christopher J. Woodyard brings disciplined, statewide litigation experience. - Trusted by Injured Workers Across NC:
With 50+ five-star reviews, clients consistently highlight our communication, honesty, and relentless advocacy. You can read their experiences on our
Testimonials page. - Personalized, Hands-On Representation:
We deliberately limit our caseload so James, Kara, and Chris remain closely involved in every case. You receive direct communication, tailored strategy, and the focused representation you won’t get from a high-volume firm. - Local Roots, Statewide Impact:
Based in Greensboro, our team knows North Carolina courts, judges, and insurance defense tactics. Whether your injury occurred at a job site in Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance, Davidson, or any rural county, we bring the same level of preparation and care.
We offer free consultations and work entirely on a contingency fee basis—you never pay upfront, and you owe nothing unless we secure compensation or benefits for you.
Meet Our Attorneys
James M. Roane III has built his legal career around standing up for individuals and families harmed by negligence, with a particular focus on complex medical error cases. A serious automobile accident early in his life gave him firsthand insight into the stress and uncertainty injured people face—an experience that continues to shape his client-first approach.
His practice centers on medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, nursing home abuse and neglect, and high-stakes personal injury litigation. Known for meticulous case preparation and a trial-forward mindset, James Roane collaborates closely with medical experts, conducts in-depth record analysis, and prepares every case as if it will ultimately be presented to a jury.
Born and raised in Greensboro, James graduated cum laude from UNC Greensboro before earning his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. There, he distinguished himself on the national trial team and received the Most Outstanding Advocate Award. Prior to founding Roane Law, he developed his litigation skills in a leadership role at a prominent North Carolina injury firm. His credentials include:
Extensive Trial Experience: Advocating for injured plaintiffs since 1999 in courtrooms across central North Carolina.
Peer-Recognized Excellence: Honored with awards including Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” and Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating.
Legal Educator: Serves as an adjunct instructor in trial advocacy at Elon University School of Law and regularly speaks on malpractice and complex injury litigation.
Record of Results: Trusted for delivering substantial recoveries in serious injury and medical malpractice cases.
Kara F. McIvor leads Roane Law’s Workers’ Compensation practice and is among a select group of attorneys certified as a Specialist in North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law. Practicing since 1998, she is widely respected for her strategic advocacy and unwavering commitment to protecting injured workers.
Kara has earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and recognition as a Top 25 North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers. Her case results include multimillion-dollar recoveries in catastrophic injury claims, including significant traumatic brain injury settlements. She is also deeply involved in legal education, mentoring attorneys, and presenting at continuing legal education programs.
Christopher J. Woodyard is a seasoned litigation attorney at Roane Law handling cases involving nursing home neglect, serious vehicle collisions, and complex personal injury matters statewide. He brings courtroom-tested experience, having tried cases to verdict in both North Carolina Superior and District Courts.
In addition to his litigation background, Chris has served as a law professor, teaching subjects ranging from torts and criminal law to professional ethics and medical malpractice. He has also lectured at UNC–Chapel Hill for students in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing, providing insight into the civil justice system. His legal analysis has been featured in regional and national media, including NPR.
Skilled Workers’ Compensation Attorney Serving Plaintiffs Only
Workers’ compensation cases can be complicated, so you should review your case with a lawyer experienced in this area of the law. At Roane Law, our attorney Kara McIvor serves as our Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Leader. Holding multiple prestigious honors and distinctions, as well as a Board Certification in North Carolina Workers’ Compensation, Kara is truly an expert at helping our clients to navigate their workers’ compensation claims. As one of the Top 25 attorneys in the field in North Carolina, Kara can provide the dedicated legal representation you deserve. To learn more about Kara McIvor and her track record of success in workers’ compensation cases, read her full bio here.