Adams v. Winston-Salem

**Adams v. Winston-Salem School System: Workers' Compensation Disability Claim** **What Happened:** A teacher named Adams injured herself at work in 2001 while employed by the Winston-Salem School System. She filed a workers' compensation claim seeking permanent and total disability benefits, arguing that her work injury left her unable to work and entitled to ongoing financial support. **What the Court Decided:** The North Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission ruled against Adams. The Commission found that while her 2001 workplace injury was valid and compensable, she was still capable of performing her teaching duties with certain work restrictions. They determined she had not proven she was permanently and totally disabled, which meant she was not entitled to the disability benefits she requested. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This case shows that winning a workers' compensation claim for permanent total disability requires strong evidence that you truly cannot work in any capacity. Even if you have a legitimate work injury, you must prove you cannot perform your job duties—even with accommodations or restrictions. Workers should document their limitations thoroughly and work with medical professionals to build a complete record of how their injury affects their ability to work before pursuing total disability benefits.