Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Workers’ Compensation for Delivery Drivers in Pennsylvania: Everything You Need to Know
Delivery drivers seem to be in a hurry all the time. They are no strangers to pushing themselves to the limits due to unrealistic deadlines. Often, they do it at the expense of their own safety. The desire to make on-time deliveries can put a delivery driver in harm’s way. Unfortunately, car crashes involving… Read More »
How to Determine Fault in Multi-Vehicle Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Multi-vehicle crashes are those that involve more than two automobiles and are often referred to as chain-reaction accidents and pile-ups. Due to the large number of motorists involved, determining fault and assigning liability for a multiple-vehicle accident can be quite complicated. Since Pennsylvania is a modified comparative negligence state, liability is often divided between… Read More »
Can a Pennsylvania Worker Refuse to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania workers fall into two broad categories: Those who cannot work due to the state’s stay-at-home order (or worse, were laid off or furloughed); and Those who have to report to work despite the risk of coronavirus exposure. While there is little you can do if you cannot work due… Read More »
Is Your Pennsylvania Employer Required to Inform Employees of Positive COVID-19 Cases in the Workplace?
While Pennsylvania’s non-essential businesses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, essential workers are still required to come to work despite the risks associated with the virus. In light of this, many employees are wondering, “Is my employer required to inform employees if there is a positive coronavirus case in the workplace?” Are Employers Required… Read More »
Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation is moving forward with New Claims, Hearings and Mediations Following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pennsylvania’s Governor, its legislature, and administrative bureaus and courts have been scrambling to handle the legal aspects of the pandemic. Instantly, Governor Wolf signed an executive order relaxing the statutory regulations regarding Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation cases as the Commonwealth deals with providing relief for injured workers with… Read More »
I was laid off from my job due to coronavirus, can I receive Social Security Disability benefits?
In most cases, if you were working a job for which you were qualified and performing at the typical level, you cannot receive Social Security Disability benefits. Also, with the additional unemployment availability, in most cases, you will receive far more money through the state unemployment benefits and the federal supplement. However, if you… Read More »
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Announces New Email Address to Assist Applicants with Unemployment Issues
A common complaint we would receive prior to the Covid-19 pandemic was that the Unemployment Service Centers were extremely hard to reach to resolve UC issues. Applicants would attempt to call the service centers and would remain on hold for hours if they were able to get through at all. Now that the pandemic… Read More »
Are You Eligible for Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
As CNN reported that nearly 80 million jobs in the nation are “at high or moderate risk” due to the coronavirus outbreak, are Pennsylvania workers eligible for unemployment or workers’ compensation benefits? Of the 153 million jobs in the U.S. economy, more than half (80 million) are at risk due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According… Read More »
Will Coronavirus (COVID-19) Affect Social Security Benefits in 2020 and 2021?
Starting March 17, all local Social Security offices will be closed for in-person service due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as announced by the Social Security Administration. The decision is intended to protect older Americans and Social Security recipients with underlying medical conditions. These are the categories of people that the SSA serves on a daily… Read More »
COVID- 19 Message to our Clients
We have been watching the COVID-19 pandemic carefully and want to keep you updated on the current operating procedures in our office. We appreciate that this is a stressful time for you and your families. Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. is committed to providing the same level of legal services to each of our clients… Read More »