Hawley v. Wayne Dale Construction

THOMAS, Judge.

Plaintiff, Bart W. Hawley, appeals from a ruling by the North Carolina Industrial Commission (Commission) awarding him a 10% permanent impairment rating and ordering his attorney to pay $1,000 to defense counsel for the costs and attorney fees incurred in connection with scheduling a deposition.

Plaintiff contends the Commission erred by considering evidence of settlement negotiations in making its decision as to the impairment rating. He also contends the Commission erred by imposing costs and attorney fees where his counsel initially refused to stipulate to a medical report and…