What's Hot in Workers' Comp - News and Results*
NEWS
We are pleased to announce that Ashley Eldridge (Philadelphia, PA) has been elevated to shareholder in the Workers’ Compensation Department. Ashley has practiced out of our Philadelphia office since 2014. Please join us in congratulating Ashley!
Mike Duffy (King of Prussia, PA) authored the article “Bullying in the Workplace,” which appeared in the December issue of CLM Magazine. Click here to read the full article.
Jessica Julian (Wilmington, DE) is presenting at the Workers’ Compensation Breakfast Seminar on January 18, hosted by the Delaware State Bar Association. Jessica is part of a panel discussing “Protocols Post Web-Ex.”
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia, PA) has been selected as a “Risk Insider” contributor to Risk & Insurance magazine. In this capacity, Michele will author two articles per year for publication in the prominent insurance trade magazine. Click here to read Michele’s first article, “Workers’ Compensation Claims Mounting? A Collaborative Review Process Can Help.”
Michele Punturi (Philadelphia, PA) has been approved for nomination by The Board of Governors of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers as a Fellow of the College. Election as a Fellow represents the recognition by colleagues that Michele distinguished herself as an outstanding professional who made a sustained contribution to the field of workers’ compensation and met the College’s standards of integrity, professionalism and character.
RESULTS*
Tony Natale (Philadelphia, PA) defended a claim petition and penalty petition wherein the claimant alleged serious neck and back injuries as a result of a work-related motor vehicle accident. Tony convinced the judge that the claimant was not in the course and scope of employment at the time of injury and, therefore, the claim was barred. The judge noted that, based on the claimant’s testimony on cross examination, he had a legal address in North Carolina but was allegedly leasing an apartment in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The claimant alleged he was on a special mission on the date of injury, travelling to an office owned by the employer. It was established that, on the date of the accident, he was travelling on an expressway in New Jersey prior to his shift, and he admitted that his job required him to service many of the employer’s offices. The judge accepted the defense argument that the claimant was travelling to work, not in the course and scope of employment and not on a special mission, and dismissed the claim and penalty petitions.
Tony also successfully prosecuted a termination petition on behalf of a Philadelphia-based ice cream shop. The claimant sustained a serious ankle fracture after a slip and fall in the shop’s freezer. Tony utilized the treating physician to certify the claimant’s full and complete recovery from the ankle fracture and established that there were no residual maladies or disability stemming from the incident.
Judd Woytek (King of Prussia, PA) successfully defended an appeal by a claimant from a Workers’ Compensation Judge’s decision that granted her claim for a closed period of benefits and then terminated benefits as of the date of our IME. The Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board affirmed the judge’s decision in its entirety.
*Prior Results Do Not Guarantee A Similar Outcome
What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp is prepared by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin to provide information on recent legal developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. We would be pleased to provide such legal assistance as you require on these and other subjects when called upon. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING pursuant to New York RPC 7.1 Copyright © 2022 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm. For reprints or inquiries, or if you wish to be removed from this mailing list, contact tamontemuro@mdwcg.com.