News

Furlough versus Layoffs and Your Workers’ Compensation Rights

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvanians have been subject to layoffs and indefinite furloughs in historic numbers. The difference between a furlough and a layoff is strictly one of employment relationship. In most instances, furloughed workers are still considered employees of their organization during the unpaid leave of absence whereas laid off workers are… Read more

Press releases

Matthew Wilson to Give a PBI Webinar with Steve Potako

Martin Law partner Matthew Wilson will be giving a PBI webinar with fellow attorney Steve Potako and Director of Adjudication, the Honorable Joe DeRita on April 1, 2020. The webinar will include discussions about the Litigation of COVID-19 cases and the current state of the Workers’ Compensation Practice through telephonic litigation.  Matthew Wilson is a… Read more

Press releases

Employer’s Premises Should be Construed Liberally, Says PA Supreme Court

(Philadelphia) – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court yesterday issued an affirmative ruling upholding the original Workers’ Compensation Judge’s decision to award benefits. The ruling upholds benefits previously awarded to a U.S. Airways (American Airlines) flight attendant and Martin Law client Betty Bockelman for a nondisplaced left ankle fracture she sustained after slipping while aboard the city… Read more

Blog

LTD is a Critical Financial Planning Tool

An unexpected illness or injury can seriously impact your financial stability. For this reason, it is critical to have an income protection plan in place that you can depend on in the event that you face a disability during your working years.  Long Term Disability (“LTD”) insurance can provide this piece of mind for you… Read more

Blog

Medical Treatment Rights

If you’ve suffered an injury at work in Pennsylvania, you’re probably wondering when and where you can seek medical treatment. Choosing the right medical provider for your work injuries is an important step in pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. However, most people are unaware of their rights when it comes to medical treatment under the law…. Read more

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Five P’s of Workers’ Compensation

In a previous blog post, we stressed the importance of ignoring external pressures and internal qualms when deciding whether to institute your workers’ compensation matter against your Employer. We hope that you have had a chance to review the post, and have concluded that your rights supersede a supposed “friendship” with your boss, or your… Read more

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Senate Bill 936 is Vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf

Senate Bill 936, which called for a Workers’ Compensation Drug Formulary, has been vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf. In mid-April, the bill passed on reconsideration and on final passage, and was presented to the Governor to either approve or veto within ten days. S.B. 936 called for the selection of a “nationally-recognized, evidence-based prescription drug formulary… Read more

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Alternative Pain Medication and Cannabis

We are all now aware of a worsening opioid crisis in America.  Typically, the only choice for pain management is a combination of medications including opioids, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories and a series of other drugs for everything ranging from constipation to depression.  Unfortunately, many of these medications do not work well when taken together.  In… Read more

Press releases

PA Court Issues Significant Ruling on Course and Scope in Workers’ Compensation Case

(Philadelphia) – The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court yesterday issued an affirmative ruling yesterday upholding the original Workers’ Compensation Judge’s decision to award benefits. The ruling upholds benefits previously awarded to current flight attendant and Martin Law client Betty Bockelman for the non displaced fracture she suffered in her left ankle when she slipped on water aboard… Read more

Blog

2018 PA WORKERS’ COMP AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE ANNOUNCED

According to the Workers’ Compensation Act, injured workers are entitled to wage-loss benefits equal to two-thirds of their weekly wage for a work-related injury. However, there are minimum and maximum adjustments provided in the Act, and the benefit rate is set using the average statewide weekly average determined for the year the injury occurred. The… Read more