North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 90. Medicine and Allied Occupations § 90-21.65. Written decision by arbitration

(a) Issuing the Decision.--The arbitrator shall issue a decision in writing and signed by the arbitrator within 14 days after the completion of the arbitration hearing and shall promptly deliver a copy of the decision to each party or the party's attorneys.

(b) Limit on Damages.--The arbitrator shall not make an award of damages that exceeds a total of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for any dispute submitted to arbitration under this Article, regardless of the number of claimants or defendants that are parties to the dispute.

(c) Finding if Damages Awarded.--If the arbitrator makes an award of damages to the claimant, the arbitrator shall make a finding as to whether the injury or death was caused by the negligence of the defendant.

(d) Paying the Arbitrator.--The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be paid equally by the parties.

(e) Attorneys' Fees and Costs.--Each party shall bear its own attorneys' fees and costs.