Carma Henson
Attorney
Email: carma@lawmed.com | Carma Henson on Google+
“I have been so fortunate to work with such brilliant lawyers. I’ve learned so much from working with this group. We want everyone to learn as much as possible and be able to work at their fullest potential. The lawyers here have so many different strengths and skills that we can all draw from—it’s a great mix of people that make for a perfectly well-rounded team. Our clients are able to benefit from the hundreds of years of combined experience and knowledge.”
Professional Experience
Carma Henson joined HensonFuerst in 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1996 and her Juris Doctorate in 1999, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During law school, she served as Chapter Justice of Phi Alpha Delta and also was admitted as a member and contributor to the prestigious International Law Journal.
Carma has personal experience dealing with relatives in nursing homes—as such, she knows all too well about the problems and frustrations families face with long-term care facilities. She devotes much of her professional time to investigating and evaluating the quality of care given to nursing home residents.
Bar Admissions:
- North Carolina
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
Main Practice Areas:
Professional Associations
- American Association for Justice
- Nursing Home Litigation Section
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- Auto Torts Section
- Chair of the Nursing Home Litigation Section 2012 – 2013
- Nursing Home Litigation Section
- North Carolina State Bar
- Phi Alpha Delta, Past Chapter Justice
Certifications/Awards:
My Clients Should Know
Making the decision to move a loved one into a nursing home is always difficult, but sometimes there are no other options. I advise you to investigate all of your options and make nursing home placement your last option.
There are some “good” facilities, but unfortunately, there are a lot more that provide “bad” care. If you must place a loved one in a nursing home, be diligent and do your research. The Medicare website is a great place to start. All facilities that take Medicare money are rated with an easy-to-understand star system. You can avoid some atrocious nursing homes by checking there first.
Once you’ve chosen a nursing home and have moved your loved one in, visit as often as possible. Go every day if you can and at different times of the day. Ask questions of the nursing staff. Don’t assume that your loved one’s needs are being met. You have the right to ask questions and get answers.
Why I Became a Lawyer
I love the idea of helping the people who need it most. I didn’t grow up knowing much about the legal profession—there were no lawyers in my family. In fact, I really didn’t know that I wanted to be a lawyer until I was in law school. I knew that I was analytical, and I wanted to help people. Being a lawyer seemed to satisfy both of those needs. It’s one of those jobs that you can go home at the end of the day and know that you made a difference in someone’s life.
Personal Information
I have two young children; almost all of my spare time is spent with them and my husband, David Henson. We spend as much time as possible outdoors, and whenever possible, we go to the beach—that’s the ultimate relaxation and family time for us.
I’m also involved in a group called Kids4Change, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to teaching children how to help their community. The goal is to teach children to become involved in charitable activities so they can feel the joy of giving back and grow up to become giving, charitable adults. It’s such a cool group.
Civic Involvement:
- Habitat For Humanity, Board Member
- Kids4Change, Past Board Member
- Friends of the Arts Center, Past Board Member
My Role Model
My mother has always been my role model. She is a lovely lady who has worked hard, taken care of herself and her family, and persevered in all of her endeavors.
I try to live by these values she taught me:
- Work hard.
- Learn to take care of yourself.
- Support the ones you love.
- Be responsible for your own success.
That’s what I try to live by every day.