The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a workers’ compensation decision in June of this year that has stunned businesses across Pennsylvania. The court’s decision in Protz v. WCAB (Derry Area School District) has stopped all Impairment Rating Evaluations (IREs), raises the question of whether claims closed as the result of an IRE can be re-opened, and likely will result…
Blog
Legislative Update — September 8, 2017
When the legislature last met it was July and leaders in the House and Senate were searching for ways to balance the $32 billion state budget that was enacted at the end of June. Now that it is September, leaders in Harrisburg have yet to find agreement on how to fill the gap. The whole…
Legislative Update — August 10, 2017
The revenue package for the state budget has not yet been finalized, with no resolution in sight. The state Senate has passed a revenue package that includes tax increases, including a first-ever severance tax on natural gas drilling. The House however, has expressed its displeasure regarding the revenue enhancements. Leaders, members and staff are taking…
PA Should Not Use Opioid Crisis as Lawsuit Cash Cow
Harkening back to the 1990s when states sued the big tobacco companies to offset medical expenses incurred treating tobacco related illnesses, two legislative resolutions are currently in play urging the governor and Attorney General to sue pharmaceutical companies over opioid addiction. HR 363 and a yet to be introduced companion resolution in the Senate have…
Civil Justice Legislative Update July 14, 2017
Pennsylvania has a budget, but not enough revenue to fund it! Since we last updated you, the budget was passed without raising the additional revenue needed to balance it, and PCCJR members actions leaped into action to prevent a False Claims Act from becoming a potential moneymaker to help fill the budget gap. Your calls…
Civil Justice Legislative Update June 29, 2017
Budget negotiations grind on this week in Harrisburg. State spending authority runs out June 30 at midnight pursuant to the state constitution. But at this point it looks like we’ll be going into budget overtime and with that comes opportunities as well as challenges for civil justice issues. Without a budget to vote on, it…