Friday, December 6, 2013

New Threat to Workers' Rights - Senate Bill 1195

Senate Bill 1195 is a new bill which will further erode the rights of injured Workers' in Pennsylvania.  The legislators behind it are attempting to fast-track it.  I urge all of you to contact your state representative and senator and demand that they vote against passage of this legislation.  This bill will effectively eliminate any Uninsured Employer Guarantee Fund (UEGF) claims in the Commonwealth of PA.  The UEGF was designed to provide benefits to those injured while working for Employers who failed to obtain legally required Workers' Compensation Insurance.  You never know if this is going to be you  until it is too late.  Your representative may suggest that these changes are minor or will not effect many people.  Don't be fooled!  You may be one of those people in the future and if you are seriously injured and cannot work and have no income because your Employer failed to properly insure, you will wish this fund was available.  Further, if this is allowed to pass it will only be the beginning of increased erosion to the rights of injured workers.  PLEASE, call and/or email your state representative and senator and tell them to vote against Senate Bill 1195 today!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

WCAIS Update

It has been several months since the new computerized system went "on-line".  The results have been mixed.  There were initially severe delays in having petitions assigned, in the issuance of Decisions and in the issuance of hearing notices.  Slowly, the backlog is being processed.  New petitions are now getting assigned much more quickly and hearings are getting scheduled more quickly.  There are still substantial issues to work out, but the new system shows promise.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Proposed Changes to the PA WC Act

All workers throughout Pennsylvania should be aware that the there are discussions in the state legislature about amending the Workers' Compensation Act in ways that will harm injured workers.  If passed, it will greatly restrict your choice of medical providers in the event you sustain a work injury.  It is even possible that your employer will get to dictate who you treat with throughout your entire claim.  What can you do?  Contact your state representatives and tell them that injured workers should have the freedom to chose their own doctors! 

Stay tuned for updates.

Big Changes on September 9 - PA Bureau of Workers Compensation Goes Paperless

As of September 9, 2013, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation is initiating the full use of its new WCAIS system.  This online system is designed to reduce the use of paper in the Workers' Compensation system.  All petitions, answers and most forms will be available on-line through this system.  Hearing notices, evidence and communications will also be handled through this system.  It is brand new and no one is quite sure how it will work.  There may be delays while the kinks are getting worked out; however, in the end, this system promises to ease access to information in the system and to facilitate the exchange of information and correspondence between the parties and the Judge.  You must be a registered user to access the system.

Social Media in Workers' Compensation

Social Media is a great tool and can be lots of fun.  However, it is important to be aware that everything you post to the internet stays there (often even if deleted) and may be obtained by an employer/Insurance Company in the event you sustain a work injury.  More and more often, defense attorneys are checking social media sites and requesting access to accounts and data posted on-line.  Be thoughtful about what you post on Facebook or other Social Media.