Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Journal

"An online digest of developments in Pennsylvania workers' compensation practice and procedure."

Author: Robert Vonada is a workers’ compensation judge for Blair, Bedford, Centre and Huntingdon counties in Pennsylvania.

Blawg Related Categories: Labor & Employment • States • Pennsylvania • Judge • Workers Compensation

Recent Posts from Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Journal

Largest Workers’ Compensation Rate Reduction in a Decade
The Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB) has proposed a 10.22 percent average reduction in workers’ compensation policy rates for 2008, according to a Pittsburgh Business Times Article. The recommendation will go to the Pennsylvania Insurance…
Labor Market Survey May Be Done In Area Of Claimant's Residence Even If Out Of State
In H. Riddle v. WCAB (Allegheny City Electric, Inc.), the Claimant was injured in Pittsburgh, but had a residence in Wheeling, West Virginia and lived with his father at a nearby address in Ohio, where…
SWMS Associated With Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization, will designate overnight shift work as a probable carcinogen according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article. Judge David Torrey identifies the…
Report From National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference and Expo
Human Resource Executive Online summarizes a discussion from the National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference and Expo about outcome based workers’ compensation management. The panelists are all names Pennsylvania workers’ compensation practitioners will recognize.
NIOSH Guide: Simple Ways To Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries in Construction
Safety Online ArticleNIOSH .pdf materials
Furlough Benefits Are Not Severance Benefits
In G. Kelly v. WCAB (US Airways Group, Inc.) the Commonwealth Court reversed the opinion of the Board and WCJ that furlough benefits are severance benefits for which the Employer is entitled to a credit…
L&I Offers Policy Search Via Internet
Information on workers compensation coverage for Pennsylvania employers is available at PA Employer WC Insurance Info on L&I's web site. The search will show the current insurance carrier and the coverage history.
Commonwealth Court Holds Expense Reimbursement Should Be Included in AWW
In T. Lennon, Dec', et al. v. WCAB (Epps Aviation, Inc.), the Claimant, an airplane pilot, received expense reimbursement for board and lodging from his employer. Claimant’s Counsel argued these amounts should be included in…
Commonwealth Court Reinforces Principle That Average Weekly Wage Calculations Should Be Made According To The Act’s Provisions.
In Lahr Mechanical, et al. v. WCAB (Floyd) the WCJ accepted the Claimant’s testimony about his expected wages and hours to make a Section 309(d.2) average weekly wage calculation. The Claimant testified he expected the…
Article Reporting Medicare Delays in New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Settlements
This Star-Ledger article reports on the history and development of CMS reviews of workers’ compensation settlements and the delays in processing these reviews. It is a very complete overview of the issue.Thanks to WCJ David…