The PA Supreme Court has extended the Workers’ Comp application of the “traveling employee” doctrine to include an employee’s attendance at happy hours, holiday parties and other social gatherings that are sponsored by the...more
If you operate a construction business in Pennsylvania, and hire independent contractors, who you pay via 1099s, you could face criminal charges, and be forced to pay fines and restitution if these workers are not properly...more
While everyone works through this anything-but-normal time in our country, it is important for employers to note that Pennsylvania Courts have generally included work-from-home injuries as compensable claims. However, there...more
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court recently ruled that an employer cannot use a Compromise and Release Agreement (C&R) settling a Workers’ Compensation claim to avoid making payments to a medical care provider who rendered...more
For three decades in Pennsylvania, employers and Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers could seek an independent review of the “impairment rating” of an injured worker, in order to determine the percentage of disability,...more
Pennsylvania, like many other states, has a statutory section of its Workers’ Compensation law that is devoted to the designation of an impairment rating for an injured worker who is collecting Workers’ Compensation benefits....more
The initial report of a possible work injury must be handled carefully by the employer and/or its insurance carrier in order to avoid a scenario where an “accepted” claim should have been “denied” and vice versa. For decades,...more
Every employer has a drug testing policy – even if that policy is to not test its employees or prospects. Performing drug testing on current or prospective employees requires specific criteria, and proper handling of the...more
While it seems the members of our state legislature have been busy doing nothing but arguing about the budget for the past year – one young state rep has proposed a bill that may have a positive effect on employers seeking...more
Long term medical care related to workplace injuries can be a costly and frustrating proposition for employers and/or their Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers. In many cases, the injured workers’ medical care continues...more
A largely sedentary/stationary workforce is a luxury in the world of Workers’ Compensation law because the idea of a disabling work injury, or a nagging, high cost medical recovery period, seems to be a remote possibility. ...more