What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp - News and Results*
RESULTS*
Tony Natale (King of Prussia) was successfully granted a termination petition in a workers’ compensation matter in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The claimant sustained an ankle injury while working with her employer, and she was relegated to modified duty. She worked up to near full duty capacity, however, she alleged that she could not walk up the stairs as a permanent restriction. We presented medical expert onions from a podiatric surgeon, who determined the claimant to be fully recovered, casting serious doubt on the claimant’s self-imposed permanent restriction of walking up the stairs. We filed a termination petition, which the court granted, holding that the claimant was not credible, finding a preponderance of evidence supporting a full recovery.
Tony Natale (King of Prussia) was successful in being granted a termination petition before the Pittsburgh Bureau of Workers Compensation. The claimant sustained injuries to the wrist and elbows, for which he received consistent treatment and surgery. Upon completion of post-surgical care, the claimant alleged that he was not fully recovered from the injuries, expressing severe pain in his thumb. We filed a termination petition based on the opinions of a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon who highlighted that the claimant recovered from original injuries, and the thumb joint injuries were due to arthritis and had no causal connection to the work injury. The court agreed with our argument, granting a full recovery.
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia) was successfully granted a termination petition in a workers’ compensation matter in Bristol, Pennsylvania. We presented evidence, including medical records and expert medical opinions, highlighting that the pre-existing history limited the nature of the accepted injury by a Stipulation of Fact. Our expert witness, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who examined the claimant on two separate occasions, emphasized that the claimant made a full recovery based on a comprehensive physical examination, review of medial records revealing no post-traumatic findings, and a significant improvement in the claimant’s capabilities requiring no further treatment or restrictions. The court granted our petition, resulting in a substantial recoupment of payments of both indemnity and medical benefits.
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia) was successful in having a termination petition granted in a workers’ compensation matter in Philadelphia. The matter involved a long-term housekeeping aide of a well-known local hospital, who sustained an injury to the lower back in October 2024. The claimant had a prior injury to her knee in May 2022, and then to both knees in December 2025. The claimant’s treatment following the October 2024 incident included x-rays, an MRI, an EMG, and treatment with an orthopedic specialist, chiropractor, and pain management specialist. All of the providers documented ongoing complaints of pain with radiation, difficulty sitting and standing for more than 20 to 25 minutes, and only being able to walk between two to three blocks. We presented the diagnostic study films and a medical expert who emphasized that the findings of the claimant’s doctors did not correlate to the mechanism of the work injury or any post-traumatic findings. In addition, while the claimant’s providers diagnosed radiculopathy, objective findings did not exist to support that ongoing diagnosis, and the claimant’s subjective complaints were inconsistent with the physical exam. The diagnostic studies failed to demonstrate findings of, but not limited to, any acute disc herniations. We filed a termination petition, which was ultimately granted. This decision will result in substantial recoupment of payments of both indemnity and medical benefits throughout the course of litigation via a Supersedeas Fund Recovery.
*Prior Results Do Not Guarantee a Similar Outcome
NEWS
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia) has been named one of four finalists nationwide for the 2026 CLM Professional of the Year Award in the Outside Counsel category. This prestigious national recognition honors an attorney who demonstrates exceptional commitment to claims and litigation management through thought leadership, mentorship, innovative practices, and meaningful contributions to the CLM community. All finalists will be recognized, and the winner announced, during the opening session of the CLM Annual Conference in Orlando this March.