The Risk Roundtable

What do you need to provide your defense counsel with for the defense of a claim?

Partners Jennifer Laver and Robert Hanneman discuss what defense counsels need to give an accurate analysis of a claim, compensability, medical treatment, temporary benefits, and exposure risk. Jen and Rob also explain why information such as wage history, an ISO report, personnel file, leave of absence, medical records, and more are essential to handle the claim efficiently.

During this episode, Jen and Rob provide examples of why getting this information can reduce exposure and get pre-existing credit.

Join us for this episode where our partners Vanessa Mendelewski and Scott Wilson delve into an informative discussion about detecting fraud in New Jersey Workers' Compensation claims.

Vanessa and Scott break down the New Jersey Workers' Compensation Fraud Statute, highlighting its key components and shedding a light on implications for employers. This episode also looks at strategies employers can implement to raise fraud as a defense and the different types of fraud that exist within the context of workers' compensation. 

Join this podcast episode to delve into the cross between New Jersey workers' compensation and employment practice liability coverage.

Partners Vanessa Mendelewski and Denise DePekary look at the exceptions to the exclusive remedy in New Jersey workers' compensation including when intentional wrongs are committed by the employer or another employee. Vanessa reviews what an intentional wrong is and what employees need to prove. Denise discusses the specific coverage in the employment practice liability coverage and why insurers will have to defend under the reservation of rights. 

Vanessa and Denise provide insights, analyses, and real-world situations that help employers and businesses understand how to manage these types of claims. 

Closing files, and thereby reducing reserves, are two of the most important metrics by which insurance carriers, third-party administrators and employers measure success.

Weber Gallagher's Workers' Compensation Co-Managing Partners, Paul Fires and Jeffrey Newby, discuss ten of their many creative ways to close a file. In doing this, Paul and Jeff also compare differences between Pennsylvania and New Jersey workers' compensation laws and regulations, analyze case law standards and provide practical suggestions.

During this engaging conversation, Paul and Jeff delve into specific topics such as worker recovery, job flexibility, medical control, re-openers, employee relationships, Medicare complications, and how you settle cases in each state. This program will teach you how to move a file to its inevitable conclusion and when and whether litigation can be a last resort to achieving your goals.

Do you want to learn more about controlling excessive medical costs on your Pennsylvania workers’ compensation claims?

Tune in as our lawyers, Sherri Dougherty and Dawn Nicholson, discuss the use of utilization reviews, use of panel providers, and defending fee reviews. They go into detail about what happens if medical treatment is found unreasonable and unnecessary by utilization review, why you might file a petition to review, or why not use a utilization review at all.

Learn more by listening now.

Weber Gallagher Workers’ Compensation Partners Alan A. Arsenis and Robert R. Hanneman Jr. discuss the ins and outs of medical treatment in New Jersey Workers’ Compensation claims.

In this episode, Alan and Rob give a brief overview of the benefits a petitioner is entitled to under the Worker’s Compensation Act, address potential mistakes that could be made during the claims process and review the difference between curative and palliative care. They also examine what happens if a claimant becomes non-compliant and what that could mean for the case.

Alan and Rob explain how and why they chose specific experts for second opinions, which can be crucial for managing the overall medical treatment. The discussion will also touch on opioid medication and the use of medical marijuana in treatment for workers’ compensation claims.

Finally, they delve into maximum medical improvement, level of functionality, peer reviews verse independent medical evaluation (IME) and providing treatment without prejudice.

Proper safety procedures are key in defending a case if an accident were to occur. Keeping a record of these procedures and ensuring employees are trained, can be a huge benefit when litigating a claim.  

Partner Catherine De Angelis explains the importance of safety procedures and what documents need to be kept after an accident. She talks listeners through best practices and how to handle a slip and fall accident. In this episode, Cathy explains what juries want to see if the case were to go to trial.  

When it comes to New Jersey workers' compensation claims, there are several common yet unusual claims. There are specific ways these claims need to be handled and addressed for a good defense.

In this podcast episode, partners Robert Hanneman, Cheryl Binosa and Vanessa Mendelewski discuss unusual claims including eye injuries, hearing loss, hernia, horseplay, minor children, homeowners, and employer sponsored recreational activities. Rob, Cheryl, and Vanessa walk through each of these unusual claims and the best practices for defending them. They also provide some tips to businesses and insurance carriers on how to prevent these claims. 

Learn more by listening below.

Weber Gallagher Workers’ Compensation Co-Managing Partners Paul Fires and Jeffrey Newby discuss the differences between Pennsylvania and New Jersey workers’ compensation laws in a lively exchange designed to bring claims professionals and risk managers up to date on claims practice in these adjacent states.

Paul and Jeff cover impactful workers’ compensation topics such as the online court system, medical treatment guidelines, case settlements and Section 20’s, notice and statute of limitations effects, average weekly wage and rates, minimum and maximum indemnity rates, subrogation, when forms are important, and many more topics. Every subject covered in this podcast episode compares PA and NJ workers' compensation legislation, regulations, case impacts, and best practices in each state.

It is important to not overlook or ignore the driver of a truck after a catastrophic accident. Their participation and corporation can play a huge role in any litigation down the road.

In this podcast episode, Commercial Transportation Co-Managing partner, Jim Wescoe discusses best practices for dealing with drivers including providing specific examples. He explains strategies and tactics that lead to better litigation practices to lessen the financial impact on insurance carriers.

Learn more by listening now.

The value of a New Jersey workers' compensation case can be dependent on several factors. Weber Gallagher attorneys Scott Wilson and Kelsi Feldman discuss what these factors are and how surgery can increase the value of the case.

In this podcast episode, they also review how a petitioner's health is evaluated during a claim, how lost time is calculated, and return to work. They provide actual examples of using the disability chart and more.

Learn more about the different factors by listening now. 

Securing evidence following an accident is critical and can ultimately save time, money and resources down the line.

In this episode, partner Catherine De Angelis discusses the steps to ensure accurate documentation is captured following an accident. Cathy discusses what details should be collected and what is useful for potential litigation. Additionally, Cathy provides best practices and tips to help preserve the evidence of the accident.

There are approximately 3.5 million daily shipments across the United States. About 30% of these shipments are brokered.

While brokers do not own the trucks, transport the material goods, or employ drivers, they can still be involved in lawsuits following an accident. In this podcast episode, partner Jim Wescoe looks at what brokers have been up against in recent litigation and what brokers can expect in the future. Jim explains recent court rulings and how different circuits are ruling.

An Abdullah Credit is a credit for a pre-existing function loss to the same part of the body for which an award is being paid. In this episode, Weber Gallagher partners Jennifer Laver and Vanessa Mendelewski discuss Abdullah Credits and best practices for employers when they are seeking credit.

Jen and Vanessa review the process of getting credit, how to obtain medical evidence, the investigation process and more.

Our attorneys also discuss how Section 20 settlements can come into play when seeing credits.