Author Archives: Jay Butchko
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Major Potential Change in Prescription/Medication Allowance in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Cases
A new bill sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Don White, R-Indiana, (SB 936) would have a significant impact on the way medication is prescribed to injured workers under the Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system. Under this bill, only medications on an approved list could be approved and prescribed by your healthcare… Read More »
“Paycheck Protection” Act Defeated in Pennsylvania Legislature
In previous article we discussed the so called “Pay Check Protection” Act and what it would mean to Pennsylvania Unions and Union Members. On December 12, 2017 Senate Bill 166 was defeated by a vote of 102-90. The bill would have prohibited state, county and local governments from deducting voluntary contributions from members’ paycheck to… Read More »
Happy Labor Day!
Happy Labor Day! To all of the hard working Americans and the American Labor Movement, thanks for your efforts in allowing us all to achieve the American Dream! Ira Weinstock, P.C.
Attorney Tom Wilken Presents an Update to the Dauphin County Bar Association Regarding Protz
Attorney Tom Wilken recently spoke to the Dauphin County Bar Association regarding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case of Protz v. Worker’s Compensation Appeal Board and its implications for the future of Pennsylvania worker’s compensation. Tom emphasized that Protz is ground breaking in the world of Pennsylvania workers compensation because it gives Claimants greater ammunition… Read More »
Senator Lee Introduces Bill to Strip the National Labor Relations Board of its Power to Prosecute Unfair Labor Practices
Under the National Labor Relations Act (the Act), the National Labor Relations Board (the Board) has the power to investigate and prosecute unfair labor practices as defined by the Act. Unfair labor practices include, but are not limited to, such things as illegally interfering with employees’ rights to organize; retaliating against employees for supporting… Read More »
How Do Layoffs Impact Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation?
The reality of the modern workforce is that Employers will sometimes go through layoffs during times of economic difficulty. If you are receiving Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits or you have been injured on the job, at the time you have been laid off, you may have some additional options. If you are laid off… Read More »
What Does “Insured Status” Mean for Social Security Disability Eligibility?
Many people receive Social Security Disability denials because they were not insured at the time they become disabled. In that case, they will receive a letter indicating that they are not eligible shortly after applying, and without any medical evidence being evaluated. Typically, the reason for the loss of insured status is the failure… Read More »
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Issues a Statement Regarding Impairment Rating Evaluations and the Protz Decision
On June 21, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry issued the following statement in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in Protz v. WCAB: On June 20, 2017, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued its decision in Protz v. WCAB (Derry Area School District), Nos 6 WAP 2016, 7 WAP 2017, holding… Read More »
PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT HOLDS THAT THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IMPAIRMENT RATING EVALUATIONS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
As noted in a previous article on this blog, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear and decide the case of Protz v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (Derry Area School District), 124 A.3d 406 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2015), to determine whether impairment rating evaluations (IREs) were an unconstitutional delegation of the General Assembly’s legislative power… Read More »