Workers Comp Matters

Latest Episodes:

Chronic Pain, Opioid Addiction, and Injured Workers Mar 26, 2015

Show notes

In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, Alan Pierce interviews Dr. Joel Martin about the association between chronic pain and opioid addiction, alternative treatments to long-term opioid prescription, and how his company, Summit Pharmacy, works to help injured workers and has guidelines to recognize potential overuse. Dr. Martin describes the need for a mental evaluation of a patient for depression or a history of addiction before prescribing highly addictive products. He discusses alternatives such as anti-seizure medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, exercise therapy, and acupuncture. In the end, Dr. Martin says, it is the chronic pain issue that the medical, legal, and criminal community need to address. Special thanks to our sponsor, Case Pacer.

FECA and Workers Compensation for Federal Employees Feb 26, 2015

Show notes

In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, Alan Pierce interviews attorney Steven Brown at the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group’s Conference. Brown talks about the differences between FECA benefits and state laws. Pierce and Brown discuss total disability versus partial disability, indemnity benefits and medical benefits, rates based on income, and the problems with the federal system of workers compensation benefits. In addition, Brown tells listeners about claims examiners, the first line of payment, and how the DFEC addresses denial and appeals. For any lawyer or federal employee interested in this area of workers compensation, Brown addresses how these laws work and the administrative process.

Black Lung Disease: Coal Miners, Their Disability, and The Quantum of Proof Jan 30, 2015

Show notes

In 1969, Congress passed the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act to help miners who, as a result of their work, developed pneumoconiosis, an occupational sickness more commonly known as black lung disease. The Act provides medical and financial benefits for those who qualify as well as death benefits for their beneficiaries. On this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce interviews Joseph E. Allman, an expert trial attorney from Indiana. Together they discuss the causes of black lung disease, its latent or progressive manifestation, and legal presumptions based on years of exposure. In some cases, representation for plaintiffs can be free of charge. Tune in to learn more about determination of disability, administrative hearings, and the concept of responsible operator. Don’t forget to wait for the Case of The Day, where Alan reveals the dangers of smoking marijuana and working with bears.

Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

Overtime and the Fair Labor Standards Act Dec 30, 2014

Show notes

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is often overlooked as a part of workers' compensation because it does not involve injury. The FLSA was a job creation bill passed in the 1930s that requires all employers in the United States to pay employees time-and-a-half, or 1.5 times their normal rate applied to every hour worked in overtime. As probably every worker knows, overtime starts after 40 hours of work per week. This is a federal statute that applies in every state to every worker, although 29 states have their own Wage and Hour laws. Who is exempt from the FLSA, how is this law enforced, and what related issues arise?

In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce interviews Michael Galpern, a workers' compensation lawyer who specializes in the Wage and Hour area of the law. Together they discuss the importance of the FLSA, what types of managerial positions are exempt from the law, and how the Departments of Labor enforce the law. Galpern explains the issues that arise with tipped employees and cash methods of compensation. If an employee has suffered an infraction or violation of the FLSA, he urges them to find a lawyer. The attorney will know what questions to ask of the employer and what documents to require for discovery. Furthermore, the defendant must pay for the attorney if the case is ruled in favor of the plaintiff. Galpern gives an example of a case, Stillman versus Staples, in which Staples had classified many of their assistant managers as managers and claimed them exempt from the FLSA. Tune in to hear the exciting verdict. Overall, Galpern emphasizes that every job in the United States is covered under the FLSA; some jobs may be covered and exempted, but all are initially covered.

Michael Galpern is the Co-Managing Partner and Chairman of the Wage and Hour department of the Locks Law Firm in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Galpern is also the new president of the Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG) and the past president of the New Jersey Association for Justice. Galpern has also been an invited lecturer on numerous occasions, speaking on subjects related to civil litigation and complex torts.

Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

Has Workers Compensation Become Unconstitutional? Nov 28, 2014

Show notes

About 100 years ago, a Workers Compensation System was created in the United States with a quid pro quo principle. The employers of injured workers were not liable for general damages such as pain and suffering in exchange for the guarantee of "adequate and reasonable" medical treatment and temporary wage replacement during the period of disability. Over the last twenty years, there has been an erosion of these workers comp benefit systems. Recently, there have been several cases in Florida questioning whether workers compensation benefits are still reasonable and adequate. Claimant attorneys are calling this the "tipping point." The question remains, how far can employers and insurance agencies reduce and restrict medical aid and wage replacement before the system becomes unconstitutional?

In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, Alan Pierce interviews workers compensation attorney Charles Davoli about what the "tipping point" means, the policies insurance agencies are putting into place, how legislators and laws are changing, and how workers compensation is being affected. Davoli begins by explaining the no-fault workers comp system that was created in order to provide injured workers with medical treatment and wage replacement in exchange for reducing their rights to sue the company. He then describes the erosion, or deform of the benefits and systems over the past twenty years in order for the insurance companies to stay profitable. There has been an increase in benefits for medical versus indemnity, medical fee guidelines, restrictive fee schedules, and peer reviews, all creating what Davoli portrays as a lot of litigious and controversial questions in workers comp. He then discusses the circuit court judgement in the Padgett v. State of Florida case and the 14th Amendment. Davoli's goal is to bring awareness to the public about cost shifting from the employers to the public via taxpayers and insurance premiums via policyholders. If well informed of this, taxpayers and policyholders alike should be outraged.

Charles Davoli practices with the law firm of Davoli, Krumholt, and Price and is the past president of the Workers Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG). WILG is a workers compensation association of claimant attorneys. Davoli has spoken on several occasions focusing on the "tipping point" of where the US is in the hundred year history of the rights of injured workers to get adequately, promptly, and justly compensated.

Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

Offsets and Overlaps in Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Claims Aug 22, 2014

Show notes

When an employee has a debilitating accident at work, there are insurance and government benefits available to the employee and his or her family. Among the many benefits included are workers' compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare coverage. Despite the different sources and governing bodies, many of these federal, state, and municipal programs are interrelated with offsets and qualifying terms. Since the benefits and qualifications can differ from case-to-case and state-to-state, it can be difficult to figure out the bottom line without a lawyer.

In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, Alan Pierce interviews William Troupe, an expert attorney in the field of workers' compensation and Social Security Disability. They discuss Social Security Disability and the interrelationship with workers' compensation, and the varying laws concerning offsets of different benefits. They also discuss the formula of benefits received relative to Average Current Earnings (ACE) and auxiliary beneficiaries such as spouses and children. While this is all information that an employee should know, it is necessary to seek out an expert lawyer in any disability case that prevents someone from returning to work.

William Troupe is an attorney and owner of Troupe Law Office in Peabody, MA. He has 40 years experience in representing injured workers and their families both in workers' compensation and Social Security Disability cases. He is intricately involved with various bar associations and frequently lectures at continuing legal education programs. Troupe was recently inducted in the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers.

Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

The Federal Laws that Affect Workers Compensation Claims Jun 16, 2014

Show notes

When a workers' compensation claim is made, there are many elements of federal law that get triggered. Among those elements are the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act. As an employer, navigating these intersecting laws can be a challenging task while running a business. On this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce interviews Melissa Fleischer from the HR Learning Center LLC. Together they discuss multiple federal components affecting workers' compensation claim rights and duties. In addition they talk about when workers can be terminated, healthcare commitments under COBRA, and unpaid leave. Tune in to learn more about different paperwork requirements under the different federal laws plus much much more.

Melissa Fleischer, Esq. is the President and Founder of HR Learning Center LLC with 20 years of law practice experience specializing in employment discrimination litigation. Her HR consulting firm specializes in providing workplace solutions and training to employers on a wide range of legal and human resource management issues. She was previously associated with Epstein Becker and Green in NYC and served as a chapter editor for the Family and Medical Leave Act Treatise, published by the Bureau of National Affairs. Ms. Fleischer is also an adjunct faculty member with the Professional Development Center at SUNY/Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

Employer Fraud and Recommendations from New York State Supreme Court’s Grand Jury Report May 19, 2014

Show notes

A recent Grand Jury Report from the New York State Supreme Court brought recommendations of change to handle Employer Fraud in Workers' Compensation. Among the recommended areas of change are the application process, criminal statutes, and the method of collecting data. On this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce interviews Gilda Mariani of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Together they discuss the results of the Grand Jury Report and the subsequent victims of premium fraud. Tune in to learn more about employee classifications, the involuntary insurance market, and drivers of cost for workers' compensation insurance.

Gilda Mariani is with the New York County District Attorney's Office, having held supervisory positions including Deputy Chief of its former Frauds Bureau as well as Chief of its former Money Laundering and Tax Crimes Unit. She has had a significant role in drafting legislation, including the New York Money Laundering Statute and the misdemeanor crime of Providing a Juror with a Gratuity. She has conducted several investigations that have led to issuance of Reports by the New York County Grand Jury, including the Grand Jury Report released in March 2014 on workers' compensation reform. Mariani is also a recipient of the Robert M. Morgenthau Award by the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.

Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

Medical Marijuana at Work: The Side Effects for Workers’ Compensation Feb 27, 2014

Show notes

With recreational and medical use of marijuana now approved in some states, concerns of workplace use are being raised. The impacts of this trend range from employee right to treatment and increased employer liability to OSHA regulations and ADA holdings. On this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce discusses these issues along with medical studies, toxicology reports, and the intoxication defense with experts Jim Andrews and Albert Randall.

Jim Andrews has served as an executive in the pharmacy industry for the past 30 years. Currently, he is the Executive Vice President of Pharmacy Services for Healthcare Solutions and a frequent presenter on industry topics. He is also a renowned writer and thought leader in pharmacy journals.

Albert Randall is a principal at Franklin and Prokopik where his practice concentrates in employer defense for labor and employment, workers' compensation, tort liability, administrative and regulatory matters, and general civil litigation. He is also a member of the National Defense Lawyers Network and counsel to Maryland Motor Truck Association.

WILG, MBA, and Attorney Generals: Meet the Lawyers Keeping the Workplace Safe Feb 07, 2014

Show notes

Are you concerned about workplace safety? Learn how lawyers from the Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group, Massachusetts Bar Association, and Office of the Louisiana Attorney General can help. In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce interviews Douglas Sheff, Chuck Davoli, and Will Green to reveal how attorneys are making a big impact in workplace safety.

Douglas Sheff is the current President of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Senior Partner at Sheff Law. He has over 30 years experience in all aspects of personal injury law and is currently serving as the Chairman for both the Massachusetts Bar Association's Workplace Safety Task Force and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys' Federal Legislation Committee.

Chuck Davoli is an attorney and sustaining board member for WILG and chairs its Workplace Safety and Occupational Disaster Committee. He is the Managing Partner for Davoli, Krumholt and Price and serves as a labor representative on the Louisiana Governor's Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.

Will Green is currently an Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Louisiana Workforce Commission Office of Workers' Compensation where he assists the Director of the Office of Workers' Compensation in developing and drafting legislation, rules, and policies for workers' compensation. In addition, he serves as general counsel to the Second Injury Board and is the former in-house counsel at Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation.

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