News

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES Virginia Case Summary Paul v. Western Express, Inc. United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia No. 6:20-cv-00052 Decided: February 17, 2022 Negligent hiring and retention claims must state sufficient facts to be plausible overall. Background Plaintiff Judy Paul was driving southbound on I-81, and as it was raining heavily,… read more

Thomas, Thomas & Hafer (“TT&H”) is pleased to announce that Sunny Chung Lapera has joined the firm’s general liability practice group in the Baltimore, MD office.  Sunny is a 2019 graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law and a 2008 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. While in law school, Sunny… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES PA CASE SUMMARY Wolfe v. Martellas Pharmacy (WCAB) Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania No. 432 C.D. 2021 Decided; August 31, 2022 Employers may subsequently litigate a termination petition by proving a change in a claimant’s condition, but the allegations in the termination petition may not contradict the admissions in the MO-NCP. Background The… read more

SIGNIFICANT CASE SUMMARIES VA CASE SUMMARY Martin v. Fluvanna County Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission VA00001842749 Decided: October 4, 2022 Retroactive provisions of § 65.2-402.1(B), awarding that COVID-19 diagnoses are compensable for law enforcement officers, are constitutional. Background Claimant worked as a law enforcement officer, and contracted COVID-19. Claimant sought the retroactive presumption of Va. Code… read more

In May, 2021, the legislature passed two bills creating presumptions for healthcare providers and firefighters/law enforcement who tested positive for COVID-19. SB1375 granted a presumption for healthcare providers who tested positive for COVID-19 between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2021. HB1875 gave a similar presumption for firefighters/law enforcement officers who tested positive between July… read more