In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvanians have been subject to layoffs and indefinite furloughs in historic numbers. The difference between a furlough and a layoff is strictly one of employment relationship. In most instances, furloughed workers are still considered employees of their organization during the unpaid leave of absence whereas laid off workers are… Read more
If you’ve filed a claim for service-connected compensation and your claim has been denied, you’re probably wondering what you did wrong, or could have done differently. All too many times I speak with veterans who believe that their claim for service-connected compensation is a “slam-dunk.” They have, or are still being treated at the VA… Read more
Social Security defines disability as an “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity” because of a physical or mental impairment. In short, to be disabled, you must be unable to work. However, Social Security defines work in such a way that it’s possible to work and earn a certain amount of money and still… Read more
ERISA is the acronym for The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. ERISA is a comprehensive and complicated federal law that was originally intended to protect employee pension plans. Since ERISA was enacted it has been amended extensively. One of many such amendments permitted ERISA to regulate the administration and operation of employer sponsored… Read more
Initial Level There are multiple steps in the SSDI/SSI application process. When you submit your initial application to the Social Security Administration (SSA), your claim is “developed” by an SSA employee known as an “adjudicator.” It is the adjudicators responsibility to request your medical records, send you the necessary paperwork, and request further medical exams… Read more
(Philadelphia) –Martin Law partner Matthew Wilson will be a presenting case law at the Tough Problems in Workers’ Compensation CLE on April 3, 2017. Matthew Wilson is a partner of Martin Law and practices exclusively in the area of workers’ compensation law for over 25 years. For the last 10 years he has co-authored the… Read more
According to the Workers’ Compensation Act, injured workers are entitled to indemnity (wage-loss) benefits equal to two-thirds of their weekly wage for a work-related injury. However, there are minimum and maximum adjustments provided in the Act, and the benefit rate is set using the annual maximum in place at the time of injury. The maximum… Read more
If you have been denied the full compensation you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you have the right to handle the entire process yourself. However, you should consider working with a knowledgeable veterans law attorney. You will be at a significant disadvantage without one. The appeals process that follows a denial can… Read more
The Firefighters Cancer Presumption Act and other laws provide increased workers’ comp coverage for firefighters.When the calls for help come in, firefighters charge into burning buildings while other people run out of them. The real risks of the job, however, often appear years later. Firefighters have a significantly higher risk of cancer and certain other… Read more
Injured workers can receive Workers’ comp and SSDI at the same time, but benefit amounts may be reduced.If you have been permanently disabled in a work-related accident, you may wonder if you can obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits. In many cases, you can. Workers who are… Read more
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