I have not been able to prepare posts to Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Journal for some time. My Twitter list workers-compensation has a lot of good sources. The link to Twitter is down the page on the right.
Robert Vonada
Robert Vonada publishes content focused on workers' compensation law and related legal issues, particularly within Pennsylvania. The posts analyze court decisions involving workers' compensation claims, scope of employment, disability, and procedural aspects such as filing limitations and petitions for review or reinstatement. The content often discusses case law interpretations, employer-employee relationships, and legal standards for claims and benefits. Additionally, there is occasional coverage of medical treatments relevant to injury claims, such as stem cell therapy for degenerative disc disease. The publisher provides detailed legal insights primarily useful for practitioners, claimants, and others interested in workers' compensation jurisprudence.
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Decedent in Home Office Was Not in Course of Employment if on Personal Comfort Break
In Werner v. WCAB (Greenleaf Service Corporation) the decedent had a home office. The claimant surviving spouse found the decedent unresponsive in his home office desk chair. The decedent suffered a massive intracranial hemorrage. The evidence indicated the decedent fell…
Claimant Who Returns to Light Duty and is Dismissed for Concealing Employment During Disability is Not Entitled to Reinstatement.
In Sauer v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (Verizon Pennsylvania, inc.) the Claimant returned to light duty on August 16 and a notification of suspension was issued. On August 17, the Claimant and his union representative were shown surveillance of the…
Adult Stem Cell Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease
A company experimenting in adult stem cell treatment of degenerative disc disease has announced a successful phase 2 clinical trial. The procedure injects mesenchymal precursor cells into damaged intervertebral discs. The company reported that in the clinical trial the…
Commonwealth Court Holds Three Year Filing Limitation in Second Paragraph of Section 413 Applies to Entire Section
In Fitzgibbons v. WCAB(City of Philadelphia) the Claimant had a May 4, 1997 injury described on a notice of compensation payable as epicondylitis of the left elbow. Benefits were suspended upon her July 13, 1998 return to work without loss…
Commonwealth Court Reverses Award Based on Lack of Notice
In Allegheny Ludlum Corporation v. WCAB(Holmes) the Claimant worked in metatarsal boots with steel up above the ankle. Her foot problems began in 1994. She had surgeries and periods of disability when she collected sickness and accident benefits. She went…
2006 Life Tables Published – CMS Requires Use of 2006 Table After July 19
The National Center for Health Statistics has published the 2006 Life Tables. These are the most up to date life tables for use in Sciarotta calculations. The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services published an update advising any Workers…
PBS Frontline Article
Cameras in the Courtroom and Justice
Cameron Stracher, a New York writer and media lawyer wrote Who’s Afraid of Cameras in the Courtroom, an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, on July 2. Mr. Stracher argues the prohibition of audio and video recording in…
Commonwealth Court Modifies Benefits of Claimant Who Applied For And Did Not Get Jobs in Labor Market Survey
In Phoenixville Hospital v. WCAB (Shoap) the Claimant received a Notice of Ability to Return to Work sometime after a May 9, 2007 IME. In July the Claimant received a Labor Market Survey (LMS) listing three jobs. The jobs were…