Pennsylvania and Maryland workers compensation claims are moving forward, despite both state labor departments being closed. Both are functioning remotely.
The Office of Adjudication within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, issued the following briefing on operations moving forward:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Adjudication will be continuing operations on a modified telephone-only hearing schedule effective Monday, March 30, 2020. This modified protocol will permit WCJ’s to process disputes and permit parties to litigate pending cases while implementing Governor Tom Wolf’s actions to mitigate the spread of the virus through social distancing measures.
In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation claims are moving forward as normal, but just not in person proceedings. Hearings, settlement hearings, mediations, and medical depositions are being conducted by phone, to keep the litigation process moving forward. Here at Mooney Law, we have done many hearings by phone, including testimony of the injured worker. Although not ideal, it does keep the workers compensation litigation process advancing so the process doe not get unnecessarily longer.
For settlements by comprise and release, we are reviewing documents by phone with our clients, having our clients execute the documents, and then moving forward with settlement hearings via phone. That way lump sum settlements do not get delayed.
In Maryland, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission just issued an Order permitting the process to move forward remotely.
ORDERED that beginning April 20, 2020, hearings before the Commission shall be conducted remotely, with the procedure as follows:1.Except as provided in § 2 below, at the request of a party or on the Commission’s initiative, a hearing may be conducted by:(a) Telephone or other audio means, if all parties have an opportunity to participate in and hear the entire proceeding; or
(b) Video using Microsoft Teams, if all parties have an opportunity to participate in, hear, and see the entire proceeding
Prior to this Order, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission was shut down completely. Now we are able to move forward with the process in Maryland Workers’ Compensation claims as well.
Just like the ongoing telephonic and video process moving forward, Mooney Law has always been open and functioning for you. If you have been hurt at work in Pennsylvania or Maryland, do not think you have no avenue to move forward because of COVID-19. You do. Injuries do not stop because of the virus. Neither does Mooney La.w Call today to set up an absolutely FREE PHONE CONSULTATION right away. Call Mooney Law at 717-200-HELP or 833-MOONEYLAW. You can also drop us an email at info@mooney4law.com.
