Some time ago, there was a page on the website of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation which contained the practices and procedures of some Workers’ Compensation Judges (WCJs) in the Bureau. There were not that many of the WCJs listed, and the information was rarely updated. We are pleased…
Articles Posted in PA Workers Compensation Bureau Update
Pennsylvania has New Rules for Practice and Procedure in Workers’ Compensation Matters
Recently, we attended a seminar to be briefed on changes in the rules, formally known as the Special Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure before Workers’ Compensation Judges or the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (each has a separate set of rules). Since our practice is limited to representing injured workers…
Workers’ Compensation Judges Re-Assigned
We received word from Elizabeth Crum, Director of Adjudication for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation that two Workers’ Compensation Judges (WCJs) will be assigned to different hearing offices shortly after the new year. WCJ Michael Hetrick, formerly with the Lancaster hearing office in the Eastern District, will be transferred…
Maximum Workers’ Compensation Rate for 2015 in Pennsylvania is $951
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has just announced that the maximum workers’ compensation rate for injuries suffered in 2015 will be $951.00 per week. This is an increase over the $932.00 for injuries suffered in 2014. While we applaud the increase, we continue to be mindful of the general…
More Movement of PA Workers’ Compensation Judges
It now is appearing to be a refreshing change in the way the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation communicates changes in the staffing of the workers’ comp hearing offices across the State. Not long ago, we learned of changes among Workers’ Compensation Judges (WCJ) either through the grapevine, or from…
Scranton Workers’ Comp Office Moving
We just received word from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation that, as of May 20, 2014, the Scranton Workers’ Compensation Hearing Office will be moving from 400 Spruce Street, Suite 500 in Scranton, down the street to 321 Spruce Street, 3rd Floor, Scranton. The zip code (and the telephone…
New PA Workers’ Comp Judges Added, Others on the Move
Sometimes the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is hard to figure out. Typically, the hiring or transfer of Workers’ Compensation Judges (WCJs) is done behind the scenes with no formal notice or announcement. We usually discover the news through the grapevine. Indeed, yesterday, a member of the judiciary advised us…
Workers’ Compensation Judge Carl Lorine Retires
It is with mixed emotion that we received word of the retirement of Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) Carl Lorine. Judge Lorine was a member of the judiciary in the Upper Darby Workers’ Compensation Hearing Office, which is located in the Southeastern District. Prior to becoming a WCJ, Judge Lorine served…
“Rocket Docket” Hits Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp System
When an injured worker in Pennsylvania discovers that it may take a year or more to get a decision in his or her PA workers’ compensation case, the client is often, understandably, distraught. We often explain that our job is to maximize the chances that the case is litigated properly,…
Attending Seminar on WCAIS to Better Handle Workers’ Comp Cases in PA
On Friday, January 24, 2014, our offices will be closed for part of the day so our attorneys, and our staff, can attend a seminar regarding the usage of the new computer system recently installed for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Called the WCAIS system, this program went live…