Francis X. Wickersham

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    Frank devotes his practice to representing employers from many different industries in a variety of Pennsylvania workers' compensation claims. He has successfully defended construction companies, food service companies, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, retail stores and supermarkets in cases involving hearing loss due to exposure, occupational noise, psychiatric injuries from abnormal working conditions, injuries from contact with toxic chemicals in the workplace and fatalities.

    Frank's articles on important Pennsylvania workers' compensation issues have appeared in well-known employer publications, such as the A.M. Best Insurance DigestCounterpoint and the Pennsylvania Self Insurers' Association newsletter. He is a writer and editor of the firm's What's Hot In Workers' Comp, a monthly update on significant developments in Pennsylvania workers' compensation law. Frank has also given numerous presentations and seminars on critical developments in Pennsylvania workers' compensation law to various employer and insurance industry groups, as well as to his colleagues.

    In 1986, Frank received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University. He attended the Widener University School of Law and obtained his juris doctor in 1989.

    Frank is an active member of the workers' compensation sections of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar associations. He also has a long association with the Upper Merion Lacrosse Club as a member of the board, as well as with the King of Prussia Soccer Club, where he has served as a soccer coach for many years.

    Representative Cases

    School District of Philadelphia v. WCAB (Hennegan), 751 A.2d 729 (Pa. Cmmwlth. 2000) 

    McKinney v. WCAB (Decision Data), 752 A.2d 928 (Pa. Cmmwlth. 2000) (rev. per cuiam, 770 A.2d 326 (Pa. 2001)) 

    Classes/Seminars Taught

    One Less Workers' Compensation Zombie in the Apocalypse, CLM Work Comp, Casualty & Risk Management Conference, Chicago, IL, May 18, 2023

    State of the Union - Medical Marijuana, Workers' Compensation Insurance ExecuSummit, Uncasville, Connecticut, January 24-25, 2023

    Protecting Against Unreasonable Medical Expenses and Fee Reviews, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 27, 2022

    Unique Workers' Compensation Aspects of Independent Contractors and Traveling Employees, Lorman Education Services webinar, December 16, 2021

    The URO Challenge and the Impact of Medical Marijuana, Marshall Dennehey webinar, October 29, 2020

    Mitigating the Risk of Workplace Bullying, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 24, 2019

    Pot For Pain, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 25, 2018

    In a Pickle: The Implications of Protz, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 19, 2017

    Defense Counsel Wish List, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 19, 2016

    Aging Gracefully? The Senior Workforce and Impacts on Workers' Compensation, CLM Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, May 2016

    Doped Up: Implications of Compound Medications, Generic Drugs and Medical Marijuana, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 22, 2015

    Marijuana in Workers' Compensation - Medical and Legal Challenges, CLM 2015 Medical Legal Summit, Chicago, Illinois, June 3, 2015

    Medicare Liens and Set-Asides and Workers' Compensation Liens, Philadelphia Bar Association's Bench-Bar & Annual Conference, October 18, 2014

    Behind the Robe: An Interview With the Judges, Roadmap to Success - Understanding Workers' Compensation, Marshall Dennehey seminar, October 24, 2013

    Career Day, Upper Merion Middle School, 2011

    Case Law Update, Broadspire and Glaxosmithkline, 2010

    Navigating the Workers' Compensation Court Room, Berkley Midatlantic Group, 2010

    How to Distinguish Between ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation Actions, Wegmans, 2009

    Record Retention and E-Discovery, The Addis Group, 2009

    Legal Updates: A Survival Guide, Pennsylvania Self-Insurers Association Annual Meeting, 2008

    Impact of New Vocational Regulations on Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Claims Handling, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, 2007

    Impact of New Vocational Regulations on Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Claims Handling, Cambridge Integrated Services, 2007

    The Do's and Don'ts of Utilization Reviews, Montgomery Bar Association, 2007

    Career Day, Upper Merion Middle School, 2005

    Law Day, Caley Elementary School, 2002

    Law Day, Caley Elementary School, 2001

    Ethical Considerations in Workers' Compensation, Montgomery Bar Association, 2000 

    Interplay Between Workers' Compensation and Liability, Insurance Society of Philadelphia, 1999 

    Act 57 and its Impact On Workers' Compensation Litigation, Pottstown Hospital, February 1998 

    Published Works

    "Medical Marijuana: Reasonable and Necessary Medical Care for Injured Workers?" The Legal Intelligencer's Cannabis Law Supplement, May 27, 2020

    "Workers' Compensation Fraud Case Against Pharmacies & Physicians Dismissed by Court," What's Hot in Workers' Comp--Special PA Alert, September 18, 2019

    "Pot for Pain: A Cannabis Conundrum in the Courts," CLM Magazine, September 2018

    "Much Anticipated Protz Decision Comes Down," Philadelphia Bar Reporter, September 2017

    "Protz: Problems for Practitioners and Politicians," Pennsylvania Law Weekly, August 22, 2017

    "State of Confusion: Duffey v. WCAB and Pennsylvania’s Impaired Impairment Rating System," Defense Digest, Vol. 23, No. 2, June 2017

    "Aging Gracefully? The Impact of a Senior Workforce on Workers' Compensation," Workers' Compensation, page 28. August/September 2016

    "Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Carves Out Exception to Exclude Remedy Provisions of the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act For Late Manifesting Occupational Disease Claims," ABA TIPS Workers’ Compensation And Employers’ Liability Law Committee Newsletter, Winter 2014

    Case Law Alerts, regular contributor, 2010-present

    "Legal Updates," Pennsylvania Self-Insurers Association Newsletter, 2009-present

    "Ask an Expert," Pennsylvania Self-Insurers Association Newsletter, January 2009

    Digest of Insurance Law, Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation, Best's Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys, 2007-present

    Special Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Law Alerts, 2006-present

    Critical Case Summaries, Pennsylvania Self-Insurers Association Newsletter, 2006-2008

    What's Hot in Workers' Comp, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Department newsletter, 2002-present

    "Decisions Impact Workers' Comp Benefits: Court Focuses on Release Agreement, Length of Employment," The Legal Intelligencer, March 2001 

    "Independent Contractor or Employee: Supreme Court Rolls Over Controversial Commonwealth Court Decision Holding That Federal and State Motor Carrier Regulations Require Finding of Employment," Defense Digest, Vol. 7, No. 2, April 2001 

    "Lykins: The Supreme Court Eliminates Unemployment Compensation Credit for pre-Act 44 Injuries," Counterpoint, January 1999 

    "Act 44 and Pre-Amendment Injuries: Banic Breaks the Mold," PSIA Workers' Compensation Newsletter, March 1996 

    "Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Update," Counterpoint, newsletter of the PA Defense Institute, June 2002-present

    Admissions
    Pennsylvania
    1989
    Education
    Widener University School of Law (J.D., 1989)
    Villanova University (B.A., 1986)
    Honors & awards
    The Best Lawyers in America®, Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
    2023-2024
    Associations & memberships
    Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
    Greater Philadelphia Executive Claims Council
    Montgomery County Bar Association
    Pennsylvania Bar Association
    Year joined
    1992