Group members treat the workers’ compensation practice as a distinct and specialized area, requiring the full-time commitment of experienced attorneys and paralegals. The practice features the following benefits for clients:
- Multi-state coverage from our ten offices
- Six attorneys and eight paralegals who handle state workers’ compensation claims on a full-time basis
- Three members recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for workers’ compensation
- An executive secretary for the West Virginia Self-Insurers Association
- Experience in representing Ohio employers in workers’ compensation
- Experience in representing Pennsylvania employers in workers’ compensation
- A paraprofessional staff including:
- An employer account specialist who formerly served as director of rating services and director of self-insurance of the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
- A certified rehabilitation counselor
The firm believes in partnering with clients to develop legal strategies that best suit the needs of their business and the circumstances presented. Lawyers counsel businesses on day-to-day issues relating to loss prevention, including the following:
- Employee baseline testing and screening
- Accident reporting and investigation
- Internal claims administration and monitoring
- Alternative or modified duty programs
- Trial return-to-work and disability accommodation
- Application of discrimination and reinstatement provisions of the West Virginia Workers' Compensation Act, the ADA, the FMLA, and other laws affecting injured or disabled workers
- Interaction between workers' compensation and other benefits, including health and disability insurance, sick pay, vacation pay, and other benefits
Steptoe & Johnson's Workers' Compensation Practice Group represents businesses in all aspects of workers' compensation and related matters, including the following:
- Occupational injury and disease
- Occupational pneumoconiosis
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Chemical exposure
- Occupational stress and related physical and mental conditions
- Litigation assistance in deliberate intent cases
- Transactional issues related to the purchase and sale of a business, business reorganization, premiums, and industry classification
- Federal Black Lung