Barbara E. Ruark

Barbara represents employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation claims throughout North Carolina. With more than three decades of experience, she has tried over 300 cases before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, involving everything from straightforward injuries to medically complex and legally nuanced claims.

Barbara also handles appeals before the Full Commission, the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and the North Carolina Supreme Court.

In addition to litigation, Barbara regularly provides training to employer groups on effective strategies for investigating and managing workers’ compensation claims. While she is skilled at resolving matters through pre-hearing or mediation, she is prepared to litigate when necessary to protect the client’s interests.

Honors & Recognition

• Best Attorneys in North Carolina (2012, 2014-2017)
• The Best Lawyers in America^® for Workers' Compensation Law (2012-2023)
• Greensboro Region Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers “Lawyer of the Year” (2018, 2021)

• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent^® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence   

About Me

Barbara and her husband, Howard, enjoy traveling, camping and boating but mostly they enjoy spending time with their two granddaughters. They are active members of their church.

Representative Matters

• Whicker v. Compass Group and Novant Health (NC App, 2016; petition for discretionary reviewed denied by the NC Supreme Court) – Plaintiff worked for a cleaning company that provided cleaning services to a hospital.  Defendant hospital successfully refuted Employee’s claim of a joint employment relationship.
• Toney v. Colonial Properties (NC App, 2013) – Successfully defended Employee’s allegation of permanent total disability due to a work related incident by establishing the Employee had significant pre-injury back condition and that Employee had misrepresented the nature and extent of his pre-injury condition to his treating physicians. The Court concluded that plaintiff’s work incident had not worsened the Employee’s pre-injury condition.
• Grayson v. Novant Health (NC App, 2012) – Successfully defended Employee’s claim that he was a statutory Employee of Defendant hospital.  Employee worked for a non-insured company who provided perfusion services for the hospital.
• Edgerton v. Wythe Advantage (NC App, 2010) – Successfully refuted the self-employed Employee’s claim that her average weekly wage was approximately $1,250.00 by establishing it was $769.40.
• Hunter v. Citibank Cards (NC App 2010) – Successfully stopped Employee’s ongoing pain management and orthopedic treatment by establishing that she was not credible and that her ongoing complaints were not related to her work injury.
• Johnson v. Thomasville Furniture (NC App, 2009) – Plaintiff’s representative brought a death claim contending that his death was due to chemical exposure while working for the Employer.  Through use of a number of retained experts, the claim was successfully defended resulting in a full denial.
• Thornburg v. Rainbow Transport (NC App, 2006) – Successfully defended Employee’s claim for a work related heat stroke while working for the Employer.  The defense was based on the theory that plaintiff’s incident was not due to an unusual circumstances as required by the NC Workers’ Compensation Act.

Education

Wake Forest University School of Law

• J.D., magna cum laude, 1987
• Notes and Comments Editor, Wake Forest Law Review

Wake Forest University

• B.A., cum laude, 1984

News

Civic

• New Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, Certified Lay Speaker (2006-present)

Professional

• North Carolina Bar Association, Workers' Compensation Section, Council Member (2005-present)
  • Chair (2009-2010)
  • Vice Chair (2008-2009)
  • Secretary (2007-2008)
  • Treasurer (2006-2007)
• Forsyth County Bar Association