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Workers Comp Matters

Catering to both lawyers and their clients, Workers’ Comp Matters focuses on people and the law. Host and workers’ compensation attorney Alan S. Pierce interviews industry leaders, lawyers, and doctors, covering all elements of workers’ compensation from cases and benefits to recovery.

Aug 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.

Jul 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.

Jun 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.

Apr 25, 2019

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

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

Apr 3, 2019

Subrogation and Workers’ Compensation Liens on Third Party Settlements.

Cathy Surbeck discusses subrogation and liens on third party settlements.

Feb 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.

Dec 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.

Nov 30, 2018

How Millennials and Work Remotes are Impacting Workers’ Comp

Ryan Benharris talks about the gig economy, millennials vs. boomers, working remotely and workers’ compensation.

Oct 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.

Sep 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.

Aug 28, 2018

The Attorney’s Role in Workers Compensation

Bob Wisniewski talks about his experience as a workers’ compensation attorney and explains why an injured worker would seek out legal representation for a claim.

Jun 28, 2018

Opioid Alternative Treatment Pathway

Omar Hernández explains the Opioid Alternative Treatment Pathway, which is a program that Massachusetts’ DIA launched, talks about how it works, and how it helps address the opioid epidemic.

May 21, 2018

Are Student Athletes Eligible for Workers Comp?

Taylor O’Toole talks about the debate on whether student athletes at larger universities should be considered employees and, as such, should be entitled to workers’ comp.

Apr 24, 2018

Changes to Workers Comp Coverage in the Political Climate

Rick Victor discusses major changes in the workers compensation system and the new conflicts injured workers are dealing with.

Mar 29, 2018

Technology’s Impact on the Future of the Labor Force

Erica Groshen discusses the trends that characterize the future of the U.S. workforce and how robotics and artificial intelligence could have an impact on employment.

Feb 22, 2018

Dealing with Chronic Pain in the Workplace

George Beilin talks about the different methods of measuring pain and the importance of coping with pain in a healthy way.

Jan 30, 2018

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Hate Crimes in the Workplace?

Kyle Black discusses what is legally considered a hate crime and the various factors and risks that affect whether or not a hate crime case meets the criteria for compensability.

Dec 29, 2017

New York Workers’ Compensation Changes in 2017

Michael Gruber discusses the controversial changes to New York’s workers’ comp rules that were put into place earlier this year.

Nov 30, 2017

Workers Comp Claims in Professional Sports

Gerry Carney talks about some of the unique challenges workers’ compensation lawyers face when representing professional athletes.

Oct 30, 2017

Social Security Disability Claims

Janice Skillings-Goff talks about social security disability claims including who’s qualified to make these claims and eligibility requirements.

Sep 29, 2017

Workers’ Compensation for Performing Artists

In this legal podcast, Justin Beck discusses the entitlement of performing artists to workers’ compensation.

Aug 31, 2017

The Fact-Driven Complexities of Personal Comfort Doctrine

This legal podcast looks at personal comfort doctrine including what it is, factors that affect the outcome, and what acts are not compensable

Jul 31, 2017

Constitutional Challenges to State Workers’ Compensation Laws

This legal podcast explores workers’ compensation laws that are affected by constitutional law.

Jun 28, 2017

How the Pawlosky Case Redefined Workplace Injury

Justin Beck and Vincent Quatrini discuss Pawlosky v. W.C.A.B. and how the case set a new precedent for burden of proof and causation standards.

May 31, 2017

Third Party Liability Waivers

This legal podcast discusses third party liability waivers in employee contracts and how both insurance companies and lawyers are reacting to them.

Apr 26, 2017

How Frances Perkins Impacted Workers’ Compensation

This podcast episode talks about the effect Frances Perkins had on worker’s compensation and safety.

Feb 23, 2017

Are Workers’ Comp Benefits Adequate?

Peter Rousmaniere talks about whether workers’ compensation benefits truly meet the needs of injured workers.

Jan 30, 2017

How the Trump Administration will Affect Workers’ Compensation

The potential effect of President Trump's administration, and a Republican majority in Congress on state-based workers’ comp programs.

Aug 25, 2016

Alternative Benefit Systems and the Future of Workers’ Compensation

Guest host Judson Pierce speaks with Workers Injury Law & Advocacy Group President Alan Pierce about the future of American workers’ compensation.

Jul 15, 2016

Using Neuroplasticity to Manage Chronic Pain

In this episode of Workers Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce talks with Dr. Roberto Feliz about pain management and Scrambler Therapy.

Jun 23, 2016

Workers’ Comp from the Other Side: Pain Management

Alan Pierce speaks with Rebecca Curtis about her work-related injury, her road to recovery, and the company she founded to help other injured workers like herself.

Jun 10, 2016

The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions

Alan Pierce talks with Jennifer Wolf Horejsh about the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) and the recent challenges to workers’ compensation in the United States.

Feb 19, 2016

National Implications of Opt Out in Workers’ Compensation

In recent years, opt out alternatives to workers’ compensation have become increasingly popular systems for handling work-related injuries. Under an opt out program, employers are allowed to create their own system for...

Jan 28, 2016

What Stahl v. Hialeah Hospital Means for Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Laws

In 1911, the U.S. created the first state-based workers’ compensation laws as a legislative solution between labor and management. In this “grand bargain,” employers provide compensation to employees injured on the job...

Aug 12, 2015

Section 28 of the MA Workers’ Comp Statute: Serious and Willful Employer Misconduct

In U.S. law, employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage and, in exchange, injured workers are unable to directly sue their employer. But what happens when a worker is injured due to intentional...

May 27, 2015

2015 Workers’ Compensation Research Institute Conference: Perverse Effects of Low Fee Schedules

Workers Comp Matters host Alan Pierce attended the 2015 Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Annual Issues & Research Conference in March. While there, he interviewed Rebecca Yang, who presented ‘The Perverse Effects...

May 5, 2015

2015 Workers Compensation Research Institute Conference: Cost and Impacts of Physician Dispensing Drugs

At the 2015 Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) Annual Issues & Research Conference, panels of experts discussed the cost and impacts of physician dispensing drugs. Physician dispensed drugs are prescribed drugs available...

Mar 26, 2015

Chronic Pain, Opioid Addiction, and Injured Workers

“There are more people in chronic pain in America today than diabetics, those with heart disease, those suffering from strokes, and those with cancer combined.” – Dr. Joel Morton The prevalence of...

Feb 26, 2015

FECA and Workers Compensation for Federal Employees

Most workers compensation lawyers deal with state-based claims and private companies, but there is a separate section of workers comp law for federal and postal employees. The Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation...

Jan 30, 2015

Black Lung Disease: Coal Miners, Their Disability, and The Quantum of Proof

In 1969, Congress passed the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act to help miners who, as a result of their work, developed pneumoconiosis, an occupational sickness more commonly known as black...

Dec 30, 2014

Overtime and the Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is often overlooked as a part of workers’ compensation because it does not involve injury. The FLSA was a job creation bill passed in the 1930s...

Nov 28, 2014

Has Workers Compensation Become Unconstitutional?

About 100 years ago, a Workers Compensation System was created in the United States with a quid pro quo principle. The employers of injured workers were not liable for general damages such...

Aug 22, 2014

Offsets and Overlaps in Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability Claims

When an employee has a debilitating accident at work, there are insurance and government benefits available to the employee and his or her family. Among the many benefits included are workers compensation,...

Jun 17, 2014

The Federal Laws that Affect Workers Compensation Claims

When a workers’ compensation claim is made, there are many elements of federal law that get triggered. Among those elements are the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Family and Medical Leave Act,...

May 19, 2014

Employer Fraud and Recommendations from New York State Supreme Court’s Grand Jury Report

A recent Grand Jury Report from the New York State Supreme Court brought recommendations of change to handle Employer Fraud in Workers’ Compensation. Among the recommended areas of change are the application...

Mar 3, 2014

Medical Marijuana at Work: The Side Effects for Workers’ Compensation

With recreational and medical use of marijuana now approved in some states, concerns of workplace use are being raised. The impacts of this trend range from employee right to treatment and increased...

Feb 7, 2014

WILG, MBA, and Attorney Generals: Meet the Lawyers Keeping the Workplace Safe

Are you concerned about workplace safety? Learn how lawyers from the Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Massachusetts Bar Association, and Office of the Louisiana Attorney General can help. In this episode...

Nov 21, 2013

Medical Treatment Guidelines for Injured Workers

Medical Treatment Guidelines are a list of procedures each state mandates to use when treating injured workers. The goal is for these guidelines to aid faster and better treatment for patients. The...

Oct 25, 2013

Mediation in Workers’ Compensation Cases

In this edition of Workers’ Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce chats with Teddy Snyder on the ins and outs of mediation regarding workers’ compensation cases. For those working in mediation, looking to...

Your Hosts
Alan Pierce

Alan S. Pierce has served as chairperson of the American Bar Association Worker’s Compensation Section and the...

Judson Pierce

Judson L. Pierce is a graduate of Vassar College and Suffolk University Law School where he received...

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