Alan Pierce

Alan Pierce

Host of Workers Comp Matters

Alan S. Pierce has served as chairperson of the American Bar Association Worker’s Compensation Section and the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law. He frequently lectures on workers’ compensation issues around the nation, and in 2007 became one of the first attorneys in the country to be inducted as a Fellow into the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers of the American Bar Association.

 

Recent Episodes
February 28, 2024

Think You Know Workers’ Comp? The Times, They Are A Changing!

Over the past 100 years, Workers’ Compensation rules have struggled to adapt to the modern world. Does the system still work?

January 16, 2024

When Things Get Weird, Volume 2: Unusual Cases of Workers’ Comp

People get hurt in unusual ways on the job. But as these strange cases demonstrate, it’s not always the employer’s fault.

December 19, 2023

Fighting The “HIPAA Police,” Accessing Your Client’s Medical Records

HIPAA rules were designed to protect patients. But uncertainty and red tape can hamper your client’s access to records for workplace injuries.

November 21, 2023

Long COVID And Workers’ Comp, A Deep Dive Into A Real Issue

Four years after the onset of COVID, The Workers’ Comp community is still learning. Long COVID and your clients: what you need to know.

October 17, 2023

What Is A Workplace Injury When Your Home Is Your Workplace?

Our understanding of work and workplaces may have been forever changed by the COVID pandemic. Many workers today are working from their own homes or conducting meetings by phone during their occasional...

September 19, 2023

How A New Documentary Movie, “Americonned,” Relates To Workers’ Comp

Dave Pederson, producer of the new documentary “Americonned,” joins the podcast with thoughts on worker protections and the declining middle class.

August 15, 2023

“For Every Wrong, A Remedy?” When A Workplace Event Harms A Family

What happens when a workplace event, contracting a contagious illness, transfers to family? Can the family sue, or are they bound by Workers’ Comp?

July 18, 2023

The “F-Word” In Workers’ Comp: Fraud. Not Always The Employer?

Let’s talk about the F-word in Workers’ Compensation: Fraud.  Guest Connor Thomson is a second-year law student at Villanova University who won the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers John F. Burton Jr....

June 20, 2023

Support That Goes Beyond Lawyers and Doctors: Kind Souls Foundation Lends An Ear

When workers suffer a work-displacing healthcare event – injury or illness – emotional support can be as vital as medical care, insurance, and legal needs. Kind Souls Foundation offers a free service...

May 16, 2023

Medical Marijuana, Your Client, And Who Pays

Marijuana was once fodder for stoner comedies and standup routines. But today, medical marijuana is a serious matter in Workers’ Compensation. Fair compensation, and proper medical treatment, is not always as clear...

April 25, 2023

When A Worker Is Injured, So Is The Family: Helping Children Move Forward.

Guest Kathleen Fisher is an accomplished attorney in the field of Workers’ Compensation, but she’s also an active leader of the organization Kids’ Chance, dedicated to supporting the children of workers injured...

March 21, 2023

Back To School: Learning To Focus On “Recovery,” Not “Claims”

Guest Robert “Bob” Wilson is a leader at Work Comp College, created to offer a deeper dive into workplace protections for employees. He’s not a lawyer or an academic type, but he’s...

February 21, 2023

Settle Down: How Settlements Work in Workers’ Comp Cases

To settle or not to settle, often a question. Our guest, Jim Anderson, is a well-known Workers’ Comp attorney and a leader in the field in Mississippi. His input about “settlements” are...

January 24, 2023

Urgent Need: Serving First Responders With PTSD

We depend on our first responders – firefighters, cops, emergency room workers – every day. They protect us from harm. But what happens when they need our help? Our guest Robert Wisniewski...

December 20, 2022

When Things Get Weird: Fascinating Cases, Different Jurisdictions

A reminder that every case is different. Injuries occur in unusual situations that challenge how we think about Workers’ Compensation and how every state and jurisdiction applies the law differently. The “Skiing...

September 12, 2022

Workers’ Comp Medical Fee Schedules: What You Need To Know

Workers’ Compensation is primarily designed to provide two benefits: payroll replacement for injured workers and medical payments to providers. But over the years, the process has become increasingly complicated. Guest Ramona Tanabe...

July 29, 2022

Has the “Great Bargain” Worked? Well … It’s Complicated

Continuing our discussion of the 50th anniversary of the National Commission on State Workmen’s Compensation (as it was called) report. We’ve come a long way, but … it’s complicated. Guest Abbie Hudgens,...

July 6, 2022

50 Years After a Review of Workplace Protections, Time for Another Look?

July marks the 50th anniversary of the National Commission on State Workmen’s Compensation laws. The system we have in place wasn’t always so. Even after the passage of protections for workers, it...

May 31, 2022

Workers’ Comp and COVID: An American Failure

Guest Joanne Doroshow explains how Workers’ Comp and OSHA failed front-line workers in the COVID pandemic.

April 20, 2022

Immigrant Workers and Their Rights, Documented or Not

What happens when a migrant worker (documented or otherwise) is hurt on the job? Our expert guests share tips for working with immigrants injured on the job.

March 30, 2022

Rebuttable Presumption of Intoxication: Workers’ Comp and Marijuana

Guest Simon Cao joins hosts Judson and Alan Pierce in a discussion about how evidence of marijuana use off the job affects workplace injury cases.

February 23, 2022

Workers’ Comp Attorneys, Protecting Our Rights

Guest Malcolm Crosland discusses the fight to protect employees in today’s gig economy and how Workers’ Comp is more important than ever.

January 26, 2022

Revisiting the History of Workers’ Compensation with John F. Burton, Jr.

We celebrate 50 years since the issuance of the Report of the National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws.

December 15, 2021

All Aboard: Maritime and Defense Base Claims

Take a deep dive into marine and maritime workplace compensation cases with Boston-based attorney Christopher Hug.

November 10, 2021

“Do The Right Thing,” A 9/11 Hero To The End

In part three of our 20-year remembrance of the 9/11 terror attacks, Phil Alvarez shares his brother’s tragic, and heroic, fight for victims.

October 6, 2021

“Law’s Finest Hour,” Tort Lawyers and 9/11

Part 2 of our reflection on the 9/11 victims’ fund. Guest Leo Boyle shares the inspiring role tort lawyers played, pro bono, for victims and families.

September 15, 2021

“A Patriotic Obligation”: Kenneth Feinberg and the 9/11 Fund

Special Master Kenneth Feinberg reflects on administering 9/11 victim compensation in a national period of anger and sorrow.

August 31, 2021

WWE Smackdown- Are Professional Wrestlers Employees?

Take a deep dive into pro wrestling’s lack of Workers’ Compensation with guest scholar and attorney Mary Catena. What it means for contract workers.

April 28, 2021

Extraordinary Courage in the Face of Injustice

The filmmaker behind the documentary ‘Radium Girls’ brings to life the inspiring and tragic tale of the teenage dial painters during WWI.

February 26, 2021

Presumptions in the Age of Covid-19

Prof. Michael Duff breaks down the three presumptions guiding workers’ comp cases and issues arising out of Covid-19-related claims.

January 27, 2021

The Future of Work: Utopia or Dystopia?

With a gig economy still spurring increases in temp and contract jobs, guest Darrell West explains why America needs a new social contract.

December 23, 2020

The Year that Was in Workers Comp

Emily Spieler dismisses hype that Covid-19 will crush workers’ comp systems. But, though claims haven’t materialized, all still isn’t well.

July 22, 2020

Are Foreign Governments Responsible for Worker Safety in the US?

An administrative assistant’s injury at a Canadian consulate in Boston raises key questions about when foreign governments have to comply with U.S. employment laws.

June 16, 2020

Medical Marijuana Reimbursement in Workers’ Compensation Systems

George Flores shares insights from his article “Lewis and Bourgoin: The Growing Divide Over Reimbursement for Medical Marijuana in the Workers’ Compensation System.”

May 6, 2020

QCARE Designation: What it Means for Texas Injury Benefit Programs

Bill Minick explains the QCARE designation for Texas employers who have opted out of traditional workers’ comp programs.

April 2, 2020

Impacts of COVID-19 on Workers’ Compensation

Amie Peters and Mack Babcock answer common workers’ comp questions arising from the pandemic.

December 17, 2019

Workers’ Comp Clients: When to Seek Counsel

Bernard Nomberg offers insights for injured workers on when and how to go about seeking legal advice for workers’ comp cases.

December 3, 2019

Defining Employment Relationships in the Gig Economy–Can It Be Done?

Roger Finderson explains the nuances of employee-employer relationships in the gig economy

November 4, 2019

Pooled Special Needs Trusts: Low-Cost Asset Management for Injured Workers

Andrew Reinhardt and Joanne Marcus discuss the benefits of pooled special needs trusts for injured workers with disabilities.

October 4, 2019

Peter Rousmaniere: Reflections from a Career in Workers’ Comp

Peter Rousmaniere shares insights from his career as a workers’ comp consultant and journalist.

August 30, 2019

Examining State Variations in Opioid Dispensation with WCRI’s Dr. Vennela Thumula

Dr. Vennela Thumula gives an overview of the recently published study, Interstate Variations in Dispensing of Opioids, 5th Edition.

July 31, 2019

Health Insurance and Outcomes of Injured Workers

Bogdan Savych discusses his study into how recent changes in the health insurance landscape affect outcomes for injured workers.

June 28, 2019

The Evolution of Workers’ Compensation with Alan Pierce

Alan Pierce reflects on his career spanning 50 years in the area of worker’s compensation and discusses needed changes in current systems.

May 30, 2019

Putting Workers Comp Policies Under the Microscope

Ramona Tanabe discusses WCRI’s work and shares some of the most interesting trends her organization is seeing in the field today.

April 25, 2019

Drug Formularies in Workers’ Comp—Good for Injured Workers?

Tom Holder talks about the role of drug formularies in workers’ compensation.

April 3, 2019

Subrogation and Workers’ Compensation Liens on Third Party Settlements.

Cathy Surbeck discusses subrogation and liens on third party settlements.

February 20, 2019

Wage Theft: From Investigation to Resolution

Karla Zarbo discusses wage theft and its related issues and talk about the processes involved in investigating the many types of wage complaints.

December 28, 2018

History of Workers’ Compensation with John F. Burton, Jr.

John F. Burton, Jr. talks about his career as a workers’ compensation expert, which has spanned over 50 years.

October 30, 2018

Nursing The Wound: The Law and Ethics of Disability Management in Workers Compensation

Justin Beck talks about the role of nurse case managers and highlight the ways they promote synergy between the carriers, providers, and patients involved in a claim.

September 28, 2018

Controversy Over the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition

Chris Brigham talks about the sixth edition of the AMA Guides Impairment and whether it is a valid measure of disability ratings in the workers’ compensation setting.