RALEIGH, N.C. — A new state law signed by Gov. Josh Stein is set to overhaul North Carolina's healthcare workforce, potentially improving access to care for residents and strengthening legal claims for personal injury victims, according to Burton Law Firm.
House Bill 67, signed earlier this month, creates licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians employed full-time at licensed hospitals, a move that could bring more qualified providers into underserved areas. The law also expands the role of physician assistants, allowing them to participate in team-based practices under physician supervision and positioning North Carolina to join the PA Licensure Compact, which would enable PAs to practice across state lines.
Jason M. Burton, founder of Burton Law Firm, said the reforms could have a direct impact on people pursuing personal injury or wrongful death claims. “When access to qualified medical professionals improves, patients are more likely to receive timely diagnoses, better follow-up care, and stronger documentation of their injuries,” he said. “For anyone dealing with the aftermath of a serious accident, that kind of access can make a real difference in both recovery and in the strength of a legal claim.”
Burton, a fifth-generation trial lawyer, noted that his firm routinely relies on thorough medical records to establish the full extent of clients’ injuries. Gaps in care caused by provider shortages, he said, can create challenges that affect accident victims long after their initial recovery. “We see firsthand how delays in treatment affect our clients, not just physically, but in terms of how their cases are evaluated by insurance companies,” he added. “Anything that helps put more qualified providers in front of patients is a step in the right direction for North Carolina.”
According to the North Carolina Medical Board, the new law is expected to take effect in stages. Supporters say the reforms will help alleviate persistent healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to primary and specialty care has been limited.
For personal injury attorneys, the legislation could translate into stronger cases. When patients receive timely care from qualified providers, medical documentation is often more comprehensive, making it easier to link injuries to an accident and quantify damages. Insurance companies may also be less able to argue that a claimant failed to mitigate damages by delaying treatment.
Burton Law Firm, a personal injury practice based in Raleigh, represents clients throughout North Carolina and Virginia. The firm handles cases involving catastrophic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, and wrongful death.
