News
May 10, 2023
PENNSYLVANIA CLIENT ADVISORY: PA House Passes Bill Aiming to Significantly Expand Disfigurement Benefits
On May 2, 2023, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, on a 112-80 vote split primarily along party lines, passed HB930 (view HB930 here). This legislation, if signed into law, would amend Section 306(c)(22) of the Workers’ Compensation Act. In its current form, Section 306(c)(22) provides up to 275 weeks of benefits for serious, permanent, and… read more
April 18, 2023
CLIENT ALERT: National Labor Relations Board Decision Addresses Confidentiality and Non-disparagement Provisions in Severance Agreements
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued a decision in a case involving the interaction between confidentiality and Section 7 rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of unionized and non-unionized employees. The case involved a rule that prohibited employees from discussing investigations into workplace misconduct or harassment in the context of a… read more
March 24, 2023
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Holds Carriers Must Reimburse for the Use of Medical Marijuana
On March 17, 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court held, when a WCJ finds the use of medical marijuana causally related to a work injury, the employer is required to reimburse the claimant for out-of-pocket expenses for the medical marijuana. In two cases, T.L Fegley, as Executrix of the Estate of P. Sheetz v. Firestone Tire… read more
December 21, 2022
Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Client Advisory: Commonwealth Court Requires Employers to File Utilization Review or Petition for Review to Perfect Argument that Fee Review Process is Premature
On December 15, 2022, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania published two opinions concerning fee review procedures: UPMC Benefit Management Services, Inc. d/b/a UPMC Work Partners v. United Pharmacy Services (Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Fee Review Hearing Office), No. 558 C.D. 2021, ____ A.3d ________ (Pa. Cmmw. Ct. Dec. 15, 2022), and SWIF v. Harburg Medical… read more
November 10, 2022
MARYLAND CLIENT ADVISORY: Maryland Passes Three Ballot Measures Impacting Claims and Litigation
Maryland voters went to the polls on November 8, 2022, passing three ballot measures that will impact claims and litigation. First, voters amended Maryland’s Declaration of Rights to allow for legislation to increase the amount in controversy where a jury trial may be demanded in civil proceedings. The amount in controversy for civil jury trials… read more