Are Opioids & Big Business Killing Workers' Comp?

Are injured workers getting the short end of the stick by big businesses controlling state government and the over-prescribing of opioid drugs? The American Law Journal presents “Are Opioids & Big Business Killing Workers’ Comp?” Christopher Naughton welcomes claimant’s attorneys George Badey of Badey Sloan & DiGenova and employers’ respondent attorneys Matt Wynn of Law Offices of Matthew Wynn and Laurie Carroll of Naulty, Scaricamazza & McDeviltt. Also joining the discussion are workers’ compensation judge Hon. Joseph Hakun and Pennsylvania Chambers Government Affairs Director Alex Halper. The panel addresses former PA. House Bill 1800 which in its new incarnation in 2017 will attempt to “reform” comp by requiring “all medical care for injured workers be consistent with nationally recognized, evidence-based medical treatment guidelines.” Although the bill may target the over-prescription of opioid painkillers, claimants bar, such as former comp judge Geoff Dlin, Esq., contend it’s “a cookie cutter model... bad for doctors, bad for injured workers.” In the opening feature report, American Lawyer Media senior editor Gina Passarella examines the recent Department of Labor study alleging states “are failing injured workers” by allowing big business to control state legislatures. Interviewed are Paul Fires of Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby, Adam Taylor of American Disability Alliance, Geoffrey Dlin of Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo and ALM/The Legal’s managing editor Zack Needles. Program 1651. Trying to find a workers comp attorney for your work injury? Go to http://lawjournaltv.com/find-lawyer/on our website for PA & NJ attorneys, more listings to come.