Martin Law Attorneys Play Pivotal Role as Brief Writers in a significant Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling

We’re proud to share that Alfred Carlson, Esq. and Leah Cilo, Esq., attorneys at Martin Law, authored an amicus brief on behalf of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ) in a major Pennsylvania Supreme Court case that has reshaped the landscape of Workers’ Compensation law.

In Kristina Steets v. Celebration Fireworks, Inc. (WCAB), the Supreme Court ruled that the estate of an injured worker is entitled to receive specific loss benefits, even after the worker’s death and regardless of the cause of death. This important decision reverses a prior Commonwealth Court ruling and overturns the longstanding precedent set by Estate of Harris, significantly strengthening protections for injured workers and their families across Pennsylvania.

The case involved Kristina Steets, who suffered devastating injuries in an explosion at a fireworks facility. Although she was awarded specific loss benefits, her estate was denied those benefits following her death. Thanks to this ruling, her family—and others in similar circumstances—will now receive the compensation they were previously denied.

As a firm dedicated exclusively to Workers’ Compensation in Pennsylvania, we’re honored to have played a key role in this outcome. Alongside the PAJ, we filed an amicus brief that supported a clearer and fairer interpretation of the law—one that affirms the rights of injured workers and their families.

Martin Law has been committed to fighting for those who have been hurt on the job. This case is a powerful reminder of why that work matters—and how legal advocacy can lead to real, lasting change.

If you have questions about your rights under Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation law, or if you’ve been injured at work and need trusted legal advice, call us at 215-587-8400 or visit our contact us page.