Pennsylvania Bar Institute

The course provides a comprehensive analysis of the all types of specific loss benefits permitted under Section 306(c) of the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act, as amended 77 P.S. §513. Course participants will gain tremendous insight into the value of head, neck and facial disfigurement claims through discussion with experienced panelists including doctors, judges, defense and claimant attorneys. Burden of proof and important objective and subjection factors of case evaluation will be addressed. Panel members will also review the mechanism of review by the Appeal Board and case value comparison demonstrating the difference in awards will be shared. The benefits and pitfalls of all types of specific loss claims will be addressed. The presenters will explain in detail when counsel for either side would prefer specific loss benefits v. TTD benefits for their clients.

Highlights will include:

• General principals applicable to specific loss benefits of extremities and how to prove loss of use for all practical intents and purposes
• How to prove injuries “separate and apart” and its effect on the type of compensation benefits awarded
• Discovery rules applicable to specific loss cases
• Statute of Limitation rules for specific loss cases
• What is a healing period award for specific loss benefits?
• Essential elements of proving disfigurement of head, face or neck including top 10 tips for presenting a scar case to a judge for a viewing
• Essential elements of proving the loss of sight case
• Maximizing awards for Act 1 Hearing Loss benefits including burden of proof and the issue of the responsible employer

Recorded during a live webcast in March 2011.