It doesn’t matter what country you’re from or if you’re in the U.S. documented or not. Workplace injuries don’t care about immigration status or language abilities. Everyone hurt on the job deserves representation. Arizona-based workers’ rights attorneys Robert Wisniewski and Javier Grajeda share their vast experiences representing immigrant workers. Communication is vital, and those with limited English proficiency often need help. Wisniewski shares tips on helping foreign workers...

Our guest is law student Simon X. Cao, winner of this year’s College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyer’s John F. Burton Jr. Student Writing Award. His essay, “Fighting The Tide – Overcoming The Rebuttable Presumption of Intoxication In The Age of Marijuana,” examines a common Workers’ Comp defense arguing an injured worker was somehow culpable in his own injury by virtue of intoxication. Cao examines to what extent – if any – evidence of prior marijuana consumption can be used against injured...

Guest Malcolm Crosland is a South Carolina attorney with more than 30 years’ experience protecting workers and their rights. In today’s gig economy, it’s up to Workers’ Comp attorneys to guard against employers, lobbyists, and insurance carriers as they angle to classify workers in ways that could exclude them from workplace protections.  Crosland shares how important Workers’ Comp attorneys are both in fighting against efforts to weaken protections and in helping injured workers navigate a...

The 1972 issuance of the Report of the National Commission on State Workmen's Compensation Laws is one of the watershed moments in modern workers' compensation. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the report, we felt it was worth revisiting our conversation with John F. Burton, Jr., who served as chairman on that commission. In this episode, originally released in December of 2018, host Alan Pierce talks to John F. Burton, Jr. about his career as a workers’ compensation expert. They...

Workers’ compensation cases take many forms and cover myriad workplace injuries. In this episode, guest Christopher Hug dives into one very specific area, maritime industrial accidents, injury, and compensation.  Hug specializes in maritime industrial cases, often under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the very specific Defense Base Act, a World War II creation that covers workers on overseas assignments under contract to the military.  The Defense Base Act is especially...

Guest Phil Alvarez, director of 9/11 Outreach and Education for the law firm Hansen & Rosasco, shares how his brother fought to the end like the hero he was. Luis Alvarez was an NYPD detective who worked in the toxic ruins of the World Trade Center for months, not knowing a silent beast would stalk him for the rest of his life, and dying of cancer caused by the chemicals in the air and the rubble.  Before he died, Luis fought for every victim – past and future – of the terror attack,...

Guest Leo V. Boyle recalls the frantic 60 hours after the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001. He calls that time “law’s finest hour” as pro bono tort attorneys collaborated with Congressional leaders to craft the $7 billion victims’ compensation fund.  Boyle shares how lawyers from across the country came together and rushed to head off potentially pointless class action suits in favor of protecting victims, survivors, and their families in apparent contrast to everything he’s ever stood for. What...

Guest Kenneth Feinberg was appointed by President George W. Bush to administer the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund after one of our greatest tragedies. In a very special episode of Workers’ Comp Matters, he shares how his team raced to administer $7.1 billion to families and victims of the 2001 terror attacks.  Feinberg compares the unique, Congressionally mandated process to current Workers’ Compensation and the raw emotions that made his charge painfully difficult. Working with...

In the potentially dangerous spectacle of big time WWE pro wrestling, performers work without Workers’ Comp or other recourse. Guest Mary Catena, a scholar and attorney, studies the issue.  While the WWE has successfully argued wrestlers are contract workers, Catena sees cracks in the wall. What might a favorable ruling mean for other contract workers – and employers? Special thanks to our sponsor PInow.com.

Workers’ compensation law is full of doctrines, some easier than others to understand. To help clarify the specifics of two particular doctrines 一 the “going and coming” rule and the “level floor” doctrine 一 Judson Pierce takes the opportunity to interview Alan S. Pierce to get a detailed look at how these two doctrines operate. Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

As employers look to reconnect with their teams, Judson and Alan Pierce tackle the worker’s comp doctrine of recreational injuries. Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

The filmmaker behind the documentary ‘Radium Girls’ brings to life the inspiring and tragic tale of the teenage dial painters during WWI. Special thanks to our sponsor, PInow.

Counselor Rhonda Jellenik shares how the pandemic and disruptive technology is impacting workers with debilitating injuries and illnesses.

Prof. Michael Duff breaks down the three presumptions guiding workers’ comp cases and issues arising out of Covid-19-related claims.

With a gig economy still spurring increases in temp and contract jobs, guest Darrell West explains why America needs a new social contract.

Emily Spieler dismisses hype that Covid-19 will crush workers’ comp systems. But, though claims haven’t materialized, all still isn’t well.

Encouraging a recharge will keep teams motivated. But if the boss presses ahead with no breaks, so will the team, sacrificing performance.

The client count is rising for Bruce Maxwell and Thomas Holder, who learned new uniforms were making flight attendants sick.

Maritime lawyer Amie Peters updates host Judson Pierce on the state of federal advocacy for the essential workers risking their lives.

A workplace injury at a Canadian consulate in Boston raises key questions about when foreign governments have to comply with U.S. employment laws.

George Flores shares insights from his article “Lewis and Bourgoin: The Growing Divide Over Reimbursement for Medical Marijuana in the Workers’ Compensation System.”

Bill Minick explains the QCARE designation for Texas employers who have opted out of traditional workers’ comp programs.

Amie Peters and Mack Babcock answer common workers’ comp questions arising from the pandemic.

Michael Fanuele shares how lawyers can apply tactics from his book, “Stop Making Sense: The Art of Inspiring Anybody,” to improve their legal practices.

Bernard Nomberg offers insights for injured workers on when and how to go about seeking legal advice for workers’ comp cases.