Workers Comp Matters

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 would be the point of winning a judgment if there were no one who could pay? It was a time when everything changed for tort law.  Boyle’s tale coincides with the 20th anniversary of the most horrifying mass murder of our generation. The behind-the-scenes race to protect and provide for families is a story rarely told but truly represents the work so many in tort and workers’ comp law do. Don’t miss this episode. Special thanks to our sponsor PInow.com.

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 thousands of survivors and injured victims, his team worked thr`ough their anger, sadness, and skepticism to resolve virtually every claim in 33 months. He calls his pro bono service “a patriotic obligation.”  The podcast is the first of two commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy and how a nation came together to support the victims, grieve, and heal.

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.

Roger Finderson explains the nuances of employee-employer relationships in the gig economy.