Edward G. Rendell, Governor · 2015-11-23 · Edward G. Rendell, Governor Commonwealth of...

Edward G. Rendell, GovernorCommonwealth of Pennsylvania

Stephen M. Schmerin, SecretaryElizabeth Crum, Deputy Secretary for Compensation and Insurance

Department of Labor and Industry

John T. Kupchinsky, DirectorDavid A. Cicola, Director of AdjudicationKathleen M. Dupin, Information Officer

Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.Equal Opportunity Employer/Program

2002/03 Annual Report Readers' SurveyPlease take a few minutes to complete and return this brief survey and help the Bureau continue to produce aquality publication that meets the needs of Pennsylvania's workers' compensation community. (Your answers areconfidential; we do not require your name or affiliation.)

Comments are always welcome, but to have your responses considered during production of the 2003/04 AnnualReport, please return your completed survey by July 1, 2004, to the following address:

BBuurreeaauu ooff WWoorrkkeerrss'' CCoommppeennssaattiioonnIInnffoorrmmaattiioonn SSeerrvviicceess SSeeccttiioonn

11117711 SS.. CCaammeerroonn SStt..,, RRoooomm 332244HHaarrrriissbbuurrgg,, PPAA 1177110044-22550011

1. How is the Annual Report used in your organization?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What feature(s) do you consider the most useful?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What feature(s) do you consider the least useful?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Is there a current feature in the Annual Report that you believe could be improved? How should it beimproved?

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Bureau ofWorkers'Compensation

5. Are there certain statistics or a particular area of interest not currently covered that you would like to seereported in the future?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you have any other comments about the Annual Report? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your interest in the Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety Annual Report!

Our Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation and Office ofAdjudication play a major role in serving the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Bureau has more than 160 dedicated employees who servePennsylvanians at our Harrisburg headquarters. More than 280 Office ofAdjudication employees (including 90 workers' compensation judges)serve our customers in 24 field offices.

This report provides an analysis of activities by the Bureau and the Officeof Adjudication during fiscal year 2002/03.

Key accomplishments in this period included improved customer serviceand communications; simpler and more efficient access to the workers'compensation system; and enhanced technological and staff capabilities.

An entire section of this report is devoted to Governor Rendell’sWorkSAFE PA safety initiative, including descriptions of safety practicesof winners of the Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence.

I am sure that we will build on these accomplishments with even greaterprogress and efficiency as a key component of Governor Rendell's Planfor a New Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

Stephen M. SchmerinSecretary of Labor and Industry

Meessagee froom Sttephen M. SchmerinSSeecreetaryy oof Laboor and Industryy

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Our Bureau of Workers' Compensation and Office of Adjudication hadmany accomplishments in fiscal year 2002/03.After working closely with various workers' compensation insurancecarriers, we are pleased to report an increase in their compliance with the21-day requirement of the law to make first payment or deny a claim from66 percent reported last year to 70 percent currently.Significant progress has been made in streamlining adjudication ofworkers' compensation disputes. Judges continue to employ initiatives toreduce litigation time and to decide more cases than they receive.Alternative dispute resolution is being used more frequently and isproviding parties with a helpful tool to assist them in settling disputes.Staff on our toll-free helpline (1-800-482-2383) responded to nearly78,000 inquiries from people seeking help and information. And, weadded more forms, applications, and publications to the Internet to speedup reporting and improve service.More than 80 percent of injured workers responding to a survey reportedthey were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their medical care under theworkers' compensation system.The Bureau shared information with customers about the new federalTerrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which provides workers'compensation coverage resulting from acts of terrorism. Also, initial andrenewal savings under the 5 percent premium discount program foremployers maintaining a certified safety committee (now renewable eachyear indefinitely) exceeded the $127 million mark for the fiscal yearending June 30, 2003.I am confident that as the Rendell Administration moves forward, ourinitiatives and innovations will result in greater efficiencies, bettercustomer services, and overall improvements to the administration of theWorkers' Compensation Act.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth CrumDeputy Secretary for Compensation and Insurance

Meessagee froom Elizabbetth CrumDeeputyy SSeecreetaryyfoor Coompeensatioon and Insurancee

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BBuurreeaauu ooff WWoorrkkeerrss’’ CCoommppeennssaattiioonn

Bureau Director’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

OOvveerrvviieeww ooff tthhee PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa WWoorrkkeerrss’’ CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPrrooggrraamm

History of Workers’ Compensation Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Mission Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Basic Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Flow of a Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Administrative Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Accomplishments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

WWoorrkkeerrss’’ CCoommppeennssaattiioonn UUppddaatteess

Revisions to the Workers’ Compensation Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

21-Day Rule Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Total Disability - Weekly Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

BBuurreeaauu PPeerrssoonnnneell

Organization Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

BBuurreeaauu DDiivviissiioonnss

Director’s Office

Compliance Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Information Services Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Medical Fee Hearing Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Administrative Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Claims Management Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Health Care Services Review Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Table of Contents

iivv

Health and Safety Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Legal Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Self-Insurance Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

BBuurreeaauu SSttaattiissttiiccaall RReevviieeww

Benefits Paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Total Workers’ Compensation Paid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Injury Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Work Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Reportable Injuries by Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Percent Distribution by Nature of Injury or Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Percent Distribution by Type of Accident or Exposure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

New Claims Breakouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

OOffffiiccee ooff AAddjjuuddiiccaattiioonn

Director’s Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

OOffffiiccee ooff AAddjjuuddiiccaattiioonn OOvveerrvviieeww

Primary Functions, Accomplishments, Future Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

OOffffiiccee ooff AAddjjuuddiiccaattiioonn UUppddaatteess

Compromise and Release Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Mediation Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

OOffffiiccee ooff AAddjjuuddiiccaattiioonn PPeerrssoonnnneell

Organization Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

District Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

OOffffiiccee ooff AAddjjuuddiiccaattiioonn SSttaattiissttiiccaall RReevviieeww

Petitions Assigned to Judges (Not Remands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Petitions and Remands Assigned vs. Judges’ Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Reportable Injuries vs. Total Petitions vs. Claim Petitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

GGoovveerrnnoorr’’ss AAwwaarrdd ffoorr SSaaffeettyy EExxcceelllleennccee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

MMoorree IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

TTeelleepphhoonnee DDiirreeccttoorryy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

11

Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

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In the year since our last report, several important improvements weremade to Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system.! Employers who receive a 5 percent discount on their workers'

compensation insurance premiums for maintaining a certifiedworkplace safety committee no longer face a five-year limit on theirsavings, thanks to new legislation. ! Compliance with the 21-day requirement by insurers and

self-insured employers to make payment or deny a claim reached the70 percent mark, according to a study the Bureau completed lastyear. This is up from 66 percent reported last year.! We expanded our use of information technology, and it is now

possible to submit several forms and download Bureau publicationseasily via the Internet. We also continued to promote submission ofthe Employer's Report of Occupational Injury or Disease throughelectronic data interchange (EDI) and increased our number of EDIpartners.

We are not content to sit back and just let these improvements andaccomplishments stand on their own. Bureau initiatives for 2004 includecontinuing outreach and training efforts across the board so that moreparticipants will learn about and benefit from improvements to thesystem. Additional web enhancements are planned to provide moreoptions for the workers' compensation community. With the 21-day rule,full compliance is our ultimate goal.

While we look back on a year of accomplishment in this Annual Report,the Bureau of Workers' Compensation looks ahead to continued progressin our efforts to make Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system evenmore efficient and accessible.

Sincerely,

John T. Kupchinsky, DirectorBureau of Workers' Compensation

Meessagee froom John T. KupchinsskyDireectoor, Bureeau oof Woorkkeers’’ Coompeensatioon

employees who have requested andbeen granted exemption due toreligious beliefs or their executivestatus in certain corporations. In Pennsylvania, employers canobtain workers’ compensationinsurance through a licensedinsurance carrier or the StateWorkers’ Insurance Fund. In addi-tion, employers can apply to theBureau to seek approval to self-insure. Self-insurance is granted bythe Bureau based on criteriaestablished by the Act and theDepartment. Employees are covered for theentire period of their employment.Therefore, coverage begins the firstday on the job. Injuries or diseasescaused or aggravated by employ-ment are covered under workers’compensation, regardless of theemployee’s previous physical con-dition.

3. Resolve areas of contentionamong the participants in theworkers’ compensation system.

4. Enforce the provisions of the Act.

5. Promote the health and safety ofPennsylvania’s employees inaccordance with the 1993 and1996 amendments to the Act.

6. Enforce the occupational diseaseprovisions of the Act.

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In 1915, the PennsylvaniaLegislature enacted the Pennsyl-vania Workmen’s (Workers’) Com-pensation Act (Act). The statutecharges the Department of Laborand Industry, Bureau of Workers’Compensation (Bureau), with car-rying out the administrative andappeal obligations defined in theAct and specifies compensation foremployees who are injured as aresult of employment withoutregard to fault. Amendments even-tually merged the compensationfor injuries and occupational dis-eases into this Act. The statutedefines the benefits available toPennsylvania workers, the condi-tions under which benefits areavailable, and the procedures forobtaining them. The workers’ compensation systemprotects both employees andemployers. Employees receivemedical treatment and are com-

pensated for wage loss associated towork-related injuries and disease,and employers provide for the costof such coverage while being pro-tected from direct lawsuits byemployees. Workers’ compensation coverage ismandatory for most employersunder Pennsylvania law. Employerswho do not have workers’ compen-sation coverage may be subjectto suits by employees and to crim-inal prosecution by the Common-wealth.Some employers are exemptedfrom workers’ compensation cover-age. Exemptions include: peoplecovered under other workers’ com-pensation acts, such as railroadworkers, longshoremen and federalemployees; domestic servants (cov-erage is optional); for agriculturalworkers who work less than 30 daysor earn less than $1,200 in a calen-dar year from one employer; and

A Brief History of Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Law

Mission StatementThe Pennsylvania workers’ com-pensation program was establishedto reduce injuries and providewage-loss and medical benefits toPennsylvania employees whobecome ill or injured through thecourse of their employment so theycan heal and return to the work-force. The Bureau is responsible for car-rying out the provisions of the Actand related legislation and for ful-filling the overall purpose of

Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensa-tion system. In carrying out therequirements of the Act, theBureau has several primary roles:1. Obtain, review, and maintain

records on certain loss-timework injuries and benefit docu-ments.

2. Certify individual self-insuredemployers and self-insuredemployer pools and determinetheir monetary security require-ments.

Bureau Overview

Basic Benefits1. RReeppllaacceemmeenntt ooff LLoosstt WWaaggeess.. A

portion of the worker’s salary –up to a maximum amount pro-vided by law – is paid for thetime lost from work as a result ofa work-related disability, if thedisability lasts longer than sevencalendar days. These paymentsare tax free. The maximumallowable weekly benefit for cal-endar year 2003 is $675.00.Partial disability benefits con-sisting of two-thirds of the grossdifference in wage loss for up to500 weeks are paid to employeeswho suffer a partial disabilityresulting from a work-relatedinjury or disease. Benefits canpossibly be subject to otherreductions or offsets.

2. PPaayymmeenntt ooff MMeeddiiccaall EExxppeennsseess..Reasonable and necessary work-related medical expenses arepaid regardless of the durationof required treatment and applyeven though the employee maynot have lost time from work.

3. SSppeecciiffiicc LLoossss BBeenneeffiittss.. Benefitsare payable if a work-relatedinjury results in loss of vision,hearing and/or the use of limbs(including fingers and toes).Specific loss benefits are paidwithout regard to the amount oftime lost from work. A separatehealing period is also defined foreach loss.

4. DDiissffiigguurreemmeenntt BBeenneeffiittss.. Benefitsare payable if there is a serious,permanent disfigurement of thehead, face or neck.

5. DDeeaatthh BBeenneeffiittss.. The employee’sdependents may claim benefitsif a work-related injury or dis-ease results in the employee’sdeath. Also, reasonable burialexpenses are payable to a maxi-mum amount set by law.

6. AAddjjuuddiiccaattiioonn.. If facts concerninga claim are contested or liabilityis questioned, either the em-ployee or the employer/insurermay request a hearing before a

workers’ compensation judge toresolve issues. If either party isdissatisfied with the decisionand has grounds for an appeal,they may request a review by theWorkers’ Compensation AppealBoard. Further appeals may betaken through the court system.

7. SSuubbsseeqquueenntt IInnjjuurriieess.. Additionalcompensation may be availablethrough the Subsequent InjuryFund. This Fund is administeredby the Commonwealth and paysworkers who have had a specificloss of use for a hand, arm, foot,leg or eye and who incur totaldisability caused by loss of use ofthe other hand, arm, foot, leg oreye. Then, the Commonwealthmakes payments for the dura-tion of the worker’s total disabil-ity.

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The Flow of a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Claim

NNoottiiccee ooff IInnjjuurryy

IInnjjuurryy

VVoolluunnttaarryy PPaayymmeenntt

DDeenniiaall ooff PPaayymmeenntt

EEmmppllooyyeerr’’ss RReeppoorrtt ooff OOccccuuppaattiioonnaallIInnjjuurryy oorr DDiisseeaassee

EEmmppllooyyeeee FFiilleessCCllaaiimm PPeettiittiioonn

CCaassee AAssssiiggnneeddttoo WWCC JJuuddggee

AAppppeeaall mmaaddee ttoo WWoorrkkeerrss’’CCoommppeennssaattiioonnAAppppeeaall BBooaarrdd

AAppppeeaall mmaaddee ttoo CCoommmmoonnwweeaalltthh CCoouurrtt

AAppppeeaall mmaaddee ttoo PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaaSSuupprreemmee CCoouurrtt

WWCC HHeeaarriinngg SScchheedduulleedd

WWCC HHeeaarriinngg HHeelldd

DDeecciissiioonn RReennddeerreedd

Employers are required to post form LIBC-500, Remember: It is important to tell youremployer about your injury, to inform employees of the name, address and phone number oftheir workers’ compensation insurance company, their third-party administrator or internalworkers’ compensation contact person.

An employee injury is to be reported to the employer within 21 days; if not reported within 120days from date of injury or having knowledge of a work-related disease, no compensation isallowed (except for cases involving progressive diseases).

Within 21 days from the date the employee provides notification of an injury, the employer/carrier accepts liability for the injury and issues a Notice of Compensation Payable, a Notice ofTemporary Compensation Payable, or an Agreement for Compensation.

Workers’ compensation petitions are normally assigned to a workers’ compensation judge by theBureau according to the county in which the employee lives.

Within 21 days from the date the employee provides notification of an injury, the employer/carrier denies liability and issues a Notice of Workers’ Compensation Denial to the employee.

Generally, the employee has three years from the date of injury to file a Claim Petition. The lawalso provides that injured workers may reopen their claim within three years from the last datean indemnity payment was made on a claim. (Mere paying of medical benefits would not be thesame as reopening the claim.)

Once assigned, all parties involved in the case are notified in writing as to the date, time andplace of hearing.

Either party has 20 days from the date the workers’ compensation judge’s decision is circulatedto all parties to file an appeal with the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board.

Either party has 30 days from the date of circulation of the Workers’ Compensation AppealBoard’s decision to file an appeal with the Commonwealth Court.

Either party has 30 days from the date of circulation of the Commonwealth Court’s decision tofile a Petition for Allowance of an Appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

A workers’ compensation judge hears evidence presented by both the defendant(employer/insurer) and claimant at one or more hearings which may be extended by the needto obtain medical evidence and hear other witnesses.

A written decision is circulated to involved parties after a case is closed (all evidence has beensubmitted and the judge has everything necessary to render a decision). No further action istaken.

Employers are required to immediately report all employee injuries to their insurer or, if self-insured, to report them to the person responsible for management of the employer’s workers’compensation program. Employers are also required to file with the Bureau a report of injurywithin 48 hours for every injury resulting in death, and after seven days but within 10 days afterthe date of injury for all other injuries which result in disability lasting more than a day, shiftor turn of work.

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Funding for Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation SystemFund for “overpayments” madefollowing the initial denial. Assessment Amount: For fiscal year2002/03, the amount assessedwas $31,453,774 and represent-ed 1.31 percent of compensationpaid in calendar year 2001.

3. The Subsequent Injury Fund

Purpose: To compensate workers whoexperience certain losses (for ex-ample, arm, hand, leg, foot, eye)subsequent to a prior loss. Assessment Amount: The totalamount of the fund equals theamount expended from the fund inthe preceding year. Law requiresthe fund to have a minimum fund-ing of $100,000. For the 2002/03fiscal year, the amounts assessedtotaled $229,067 and represented0.01 percent of compensation paidin calendar year 2001.

4. The Self-IInsurance GuarantyFund

Purpose: To make payments to anyeligible claimant or dependentsupon the default of the self-insur-er liable to pay compensationor associated costs due under thePennsylvania Workers’ Compen-sation Act and the PennsylvaniaOccupational Disease Act asamended in 1993. This fund is usedwhen the securities posted bydefaulting companies are exhaust-ed, but can only be used forinjuries occurring after the 1993amendments.

The Pennsylvania workers’ com-pensation program is funded by aspending authorization appropri-ated by the State Legislature andapproved by the Governor. Themoney for these expenditurescomes from four special fundsestablished through assessments:

1. The Workers’ CompensationAdministration Fund

Purpose: Provides funding for theadministrative operations of theBureau and the Workers’ Com-pensation Appeal Board. Assessment Amount: For fiscal year2002/03, the amount assessedtotaled $55,435,207 and represent-ed 2.3 percent of compensationpaid in calendar year 2001.

2. The Supersedeas FundPurpose: To provide relief to employ-ers/insurers for payments madeduring litigation of claims contest-ing whether compensation ispayable. When an employer/insur-er files a petition for termination,modification, or suspension ofbenefits, a supersedeas hearing canalso be requested. At this hearing,the workers’ compensation judgecan deny the request or grant atemporary order of partial ortotal suspension of benefits. If therequest is denied, but the finaldecision of the judge is thatcompensation was not payable, theemployer/insurer may apply to bereimbursed from the Supersedeas

With the passage of Act 53 of 2000,the General Assembly created arestricted account within theGuaranty Fund called the PrefundAccount. The purpose of thePrefund Account is to provide forthe continuation of benefits toworkers who were injured prior to1993 and whose self-insuredemployers have gone bankrupt.Originally, the Prefund Accountwas financed through the transferof interest earned in theAdministration Fund. However, inJune 2001 the General Assemblyenacted Act 49 which makes thefinancing of the Prefund Account abudget item of the AdministrationFund.

Assessment Determination/Amount:For a new self-insurer starting self-insurance after October 30, 1993,the assessment is one-half percentof its modified manual premiumfor the 12 months immediatelypreceding the start of self-insur-ance. During the 2002/03 fiscalyear, all existing and former self-insurers with runoff claims wereassessed at the rate of one percentof compensation paid in 2001 tofund additional claims that becamethe responsibility of the GuarantyFund. The Guaranty Fund collected$5,528,894 during the 2002/03 fis-cal year, compared to an assess-ment of $5,553,816 collected in the2001/02 fiscal year.

77

88

Bureau of Workers’ CompensationAdministration Fund Budget

Fiscal Year 2002/03

Source: Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Department of Labor and Industry

Bureau of Workers’ CompensationAccomplishments Fiscal Year 2002/03

! As a result of continuingefforts to improve communi-cation with insurers and self-insured employers, achievedan overall compliance rate of70% with the legal require-ment of employers to makefirst payment or deny a claimwithin 21 days.! Processed 521,524 claim forms.! Continued promoting and

increasing electronic datainterchange (EDI) submissionof the Employer's Report ofOccupational Injury orDisease and increased part-nerships.! Continued promoting and

increasing electronic submis-sion of various Petition formsand Employer's Report ofOccupational Injury orDisease from the Bureau'swebsite.! Converted 50 percent of old

physical files to an electronicdatabase.! Continued to maintain the

"Request for Records" pro-cessing time at an average of10 days or less from receipt ofthe request, while processingapproximately 16,800 re-quests.! Maintained an average peti-

tion assignment of five daysfrom receipt of a petition.! Conducted ongoing monitor-

ing for improving the per-

formance of the insurers andself-insurers in compliance ofthe 21-day rule.! Conducted external training

sessions, for forms submissionand processing, throughoutthe Commonwealth andneighboring states for insur-ers and third-party adminis-trators (TPAs).! Processed over 54,000 current

workers' compensation judges'decisions while bringing a for-mer backlog up to date.! Instituted 1,059 new investi-

gations of potential employerfailure to insure workers'compensation liability andreferred 18 to the Bureau'slegal division for prosecution.! Referred 48 complaints of

employee fraud to the properinsurance carrier for investi-gation.! Processed 2,431 corporate

executive officer exceptionsand 589 religious exemptionsfor exclusion under the Act aswell as 2,174 domestic elec-tions for inclusion under theAct.! Developed, planned, and coor-

dinated the December 2002workers' compensation con-ference. Approximately 900employers, insurers, healthcare providers, attorneys, andothers from the workers' com-pensation community attend-

ed the three-day event,including 72 vendors.! Investigated 499 potential

labor law violations resultingin the collection of a 50%additional compensation pen-alty for six injured minorspermitted to work in viola-tion(s) of the child labor law,amounting to $1,661.40.! Responded to over 77,925

workers' compensation tele-phone and electronic mailinquiries. ! Researched and responded to

1,601 inquiries regarding theworkers' compensation insur-ance coverage of employersthrough the PennsylvaniaCompensation Rating Bureaudatabase.! Responded to more than 200

written workers' compensa-tion inquiries received frominjured workers.! Published the Bureau's quar-

terly newsletter, News &Notes, to nearly 12,000 em-ployers, insurers, third-partyadministrators, union repre-sentatives, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and thepublic.! Achieved the lowest pending-

case inventory since establish-ment of the medical fee hear-ings program. Reduced theaverage time between filing ofa hearing request and sched-

99

uling of a hearing by almostone month.! Implemented legislation

extending the 5% discount forfive years to a perpetual,annual discount, includingdesigning/testing the requireddata-processing and formschanges and notifying clients.Reactivated over 2,500 clients.! Granted initial certification to

a cumulative total of 5,194workplace safety committeescovering over 726,500 employ-ees as of June 30, 2003.The cumulative number ofapproved workplace safetycommittee certification re-newals totaled 15,415. Approx-imate employer premium dis-count savings now total over$127,100,000.

! Conducted 210 on-site auditsof licensed workers' compen-sation insurers and self-insured employer accidentand illness prevention pro-grams and services and certi-fied workplace safety commit-tees.! Evaluated the acceptability of

accident and illness preven-tion programs and services of1,047 insurers and self-insureds through annuallyrequired reports.! Conducted audits of 11

Commonwealth agency acci-dent and illness preventionprograms.! Continued to provide special-

ized training for health careproviders to assist in theirunderstanding of the workers'compensation billing and pay-

1100

ment processes, as well as thefee review process. Trainedover 230 providers in Bureau-held sessions.! Continued to provide special-

ized training on the appropri-ate and optimal application ofthe workers' compensation feeschedule to over 120 repricersand insurers.! Oversaw the transfer of three

defaulted self-insurers' liabil-ities to their appropriatesurety company or securitytrustee, including one situa-tion involving over 750 injuredworkers.! Processed 791 renewal appli-

cations and 70 new applica-tions for individual self-insur-ance status and 18 group self-insurance fund annual reportsand rate requests.

1111

Workers’ Compensation UpdatesRevisions to the Workers’ Compensation Act

Implementation of two major revi-sions to the Workers' Compen-sation Act in 1993 and 1996 havetogether substantially reducedworkers' compensation premiums,improved workplace safety, re-duced fraud, and improved deliv-ery of medical care. The followingsummarizes these major reforms.

Act 44 of 1993

Act 44 was enacted to curtail theescalating cost of workers' compen-sation, especially in the area ofmedical costs associated with thetreatment of work-related injuriesand illnesses.

Major Provisions of Act 44! Established a fee schedule for

workers' compensation med-ical payments that initiallycapped payment for mostservices at 113% of the 1994Medicare reimbursement rate.Medical fee reimbursementrates are now updated annu-ally based on the percentagechange in the StatewideAverage Weekly Wage.

! Established procedures forthe review of the reasonable-ness or necessity of medicaltreatment provided to injuredworkers through utilizationreview and peer review.

! Provided a procedure wherebyhealth care providers can dis-pute the amount or timelinessof payments they receive formedical treatments.

! Required injured workers totreat with a listed medicalprovider for 30 days when theemployer has posted a list ofsuch providers.

! Allowed insurers and self-insured employers who areuncertain about their respon-sibility for a claim to beginpayments of compensationwithout admitting liabilitywhile they continue theirinvestigation.

! Allowed a one-time five per-cent discount to workers'compensation premiums foremployers that maintain work-place safety committees certi-fied by the Department.

! Permitted the offset of wage-loss payments by unemploy-ment compensation benefitspaid to the injured worker.

! Required insurers and self-insured employers to establishand maintain adequate acci-dent and illness preventionprograms.

! Required insurers to offerdeductible options to insur-ance policyholders.

! Permitted executive officers ofcorporations to elect not to becovered by workers' compen-sation.

! Made Pennsylvania a competi-tive rating state for establish-ing workers' compensationpremiums. Rating organiza-tions file "pure" loss costs forthe insurance industry tocover expenses relating to thepayment of benefits; eachinsurer files its own multiplierto establish profit and torecoup overhead.

! Enacted provisions to crimi-nalize fraud and requiredinsurers to establish anti-fraud plans and procedures todetect and investigate possibleinsurance fraud.

! Upgraded the offense of nothaving workers' compensationinsurance from a summaryoffense to misdemeanors/felonies.

! Established the Self-Insur-ance Guaranty Fund to contin-ue benefit payments when thesecurity posted by insolventself-insurer exhausts.

! Allowed homogenous groupsof employers to pool theirresources to self-insure theircollective workers' compensa-tion liabilities.

1122

Act 57 of 1996

Although Act 44 stabilized the useof workers' compensation, thebusiness community and insurerssought additional changes to theAct to further address the high costof workers' compensation with re-spect to premiums, wage benefits,medical treatment and review andlitigation. These efforts resulted inthe passage of Act 57 of 1996.

Major Provisions of Act 57! Authorized the use of compro-

mise and release agreementsbetween the parties to settlepetitions.

! Established that an injuredworker's "earning power" forcalculating the payment ofpartial benefits is determinedby proof of the worker's capac-ity to perform a job and theexistence of a job in the usualemployment area based onevidence presented by a voca-tional expert approved by theDepartment.

! Permitted the offset of work-ers' compensation wage-lossbenefits by 50% of the amountan employee receives in SocialSecurity (old age) benefits.

! Permitted the offset of wage-loss benefits by severance pay-ments paid by the employerand retirement pension planbenefits funded by theemployer.

! Authorized the reduction ofwage-loss benefits by wages

received through employmentor self-employment while ondisability.

! Extended the time employeesmust treat with medicalproviders on an employer'sposted listing of providers to90 days.

! Established procedure forinsurers and self-insured em-ployers to modify workers'compensation benefits by anappropriate amount if theinjured worker returns towork.

! Expanded to five years theannual premium discount foremployers with certified safe-ty committees.

! Required a workers' compen-sation judge to conduct a spe-cial expedited hearing todetermine if benefits shouldbe stopped while the case isbeing adjudicated when theinsurer files a physician's affi-davit that the injured workerhas fully recovered.

! Required a workers' compen-sation judge to conduct a spe-cial expedited hearing todetermine when benefitsshould be stopped when thereis evidence that an employeehas returned to work, thuseliminating the need for anexecuted supplemental agree-ment.

! Established minimum qualifi-cations for workers' compen-sation judges and provided acode of ethics for them.

! Changed the method of calcu-lating injured workers' aver-age weekly wages, which areused to determine weeklywage-loss benefits, to betterensure that injured workerswill not receive more in work-ers' compensation benefitsthan if they were working.

! Added procedures to deter-mine the percentage of wholebody impairment for aninjured worker in a total dis-ability status for more than104 weeks. If the injuredworker's impairment rating isequal to or greater than 50%,the worker's disability statusremains total; if the worker'simpairment rating is less than50%, the worker's disabilitystatus is shifted to partial.

! Act 202 of 2002: This legisla-tion removed the 5-year capon premium discounts forsuccessfully maintaining acertified safety committee.Employers are now eligible fordiscounts annually.

Reform Outcomes! The Insurance Department

calculates cumulative savingsto employers of $5.038 billionbecause of the reforms.

! Written premiums for work-ers' compensation insurancein 2002 ($2.077 billion) are27% less than written premi-ums in 1993 ($2.801 billion).

! The average loss cost forinsurance classifications ofthe Pennsylvania Compen-

sation Rating Bureau is now46% less than in 1993.

! The amount paid out annuallyby insurers and self-insuredemployers for workers' com-pensation benefits decreasedfrom $2.774 billion in 1993 toa low of $2.379 billion in 2000.The payout amount of $2.478billion in 2002 is still wellbelow the 1993 amount.

! Although the Statewide Aver-age Weekly Wage in 2002 was39% higher than in 1993, theannual amount paid for wageloss benefits was 11% less in2002 compared to 1993.

! While inflation for medicalservices increased by 56%between 1993 and 2002,annual payments for workers'compensation medical bene-

fits in Pennsylvania decreasedby 15% during that time.

! Total annual reported workinjuries decreased from137,000 in 1993 to 94,000 in2002. This is a 31% decreaseeven though the Bureau'senforcement and outreachefforts to ensure the reportingof all injuries are more vigor-ous now than ten years ago.

! The number of accepted com-pensable claims with disabili-ty in 2002 was 15% less incomparison to 1994 (from85,669 in 1994 to 72,528 in2003).

! The annual number of claimpetitions filed in 2002(11,101) was 15% less than thenumber filed in 1993(13,055), and the annual

1133

number of total petitions filedin 2002 (46,011) was 19% lessthan in 1993 (56,924).

! 13,150 claims were settled lastyear through compromise andrelease agreements betweenthe parties, providing benefitsworth $608.5 million.

! 482 claimants, who wouldhave stopped receiving bene-fits when the security postedby their insolvent self-insuredemployer exhausted, continueto receive benefits of $3.5 mil-lion annually from the Self-insurance Guaranty Fund.

! Through the workplace safetycommittee certification pro-gram, Pennsylvania employershave saved over $132 millionin workers' compensation pre-miums.

The Workers’ Compensation RulesCommittee’s purpose is to improvethe administration of workers’compensation proceedings.

Eighteen members make up theCommittee, including: the chair-man of the Senate Labor andIndustry Committee, the chairmanof the House Labor RelationsCommittee, the director of the Office ofAdjudication, the Bureau’s deputy chiefcounsel, the Deputy Secretary for

Compensation and Insurance, twoWorkers’ Compensation AppealBoard representatives, four work-ers’ compensation judges (chosenfrom lawyers and non-lawyers andfrom metro areas and non-metroareas), four claimant attorneys andfour defendant attorneys.

On March 23, 2002, the proposedrulemaking amending various por-tions of 34 Pa. Code Chapters 111and 131 was published in the

Pennsylvania Bulletin. The publi-cation of this proposed rulemakingwas the culmination of severalyears' effort by the RulesCommittee to clarify and improvethe effectiveness of the workers'compensation judges' and Workers'Compensation Appeal Board Rules.These regulations were publishedin their final form in thePennsylvania Bulletin on Dec-ember 7, 2002.

Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee

1144

Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc.Kids' Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc.is a nonprofit organization thatprovides scholarships to children ofworkers who have been catastroph-ically or fatally injured as a resultof a work-related accident or ill-ness. The parent's injury, illness ordeath must be compensable underPennsylvania's workers' compensa-tion law, and the applicant must bebetween the ages of 16 and 25.

Developed by concerned insurers,employers, attorneys, and labor,medical and rehabilitation groups,Kids' Chance has, to date, awarded

more than 110 scholarships rang-ing in amounts from $500 to $5,000depending upon the student'sfinancial needs and educationalexpenses.

Kids' Chance scholarships areavailable to students attending anyaccredited, post-secondary educa-tional institution (college, trade orvocational schools) within theUnited States that is recognized byPennsylvania as eligible to receivestudent financial aid. The fundscan be used for tuition, books, sup-plies, room and board, transporta-

tion and other school expenses.

The Bureau provides Kids' Chancewith meeting room space, adminis-trative assistance and helps to pub-licize the organization's efforts viathe Bureau's public newsletter,News & Notes.

For more information on thisimportant program, visit theKids' Chance website at:www.Kidschanceofpa.org. Or, writeto: Kids’ Chance of PA, Inc., P.O.Box 543, Pottstown, PA 19464,telephone number: (484) 945-2104.

Workers’ Compensation Advisory CouncilThe Workers' CompensationAdvisory Council was created underSection 447 of the Workers'Compensation Act. The Council iscomposed of eight members, andthe secretary of the Department isthe ex officio member. Membersare appointed as follows: oneemployee and employer represen-tative by the President ProTempore of the Senate, oneemployee and employer represen-tative by the Speaker of the Houseof Representatives, one employeeand employer representative by the

Minority Leader of the Senate andone employee and employer repre-sentative by the Minority Leader ofthe House of Representatives.Members serve a term of two yearsor until their successors have beenappointed.

The Council reviews requests forworkers' compensation funding bythe Department and any assess-ments against employers or insur-ers related thereto; makes recom-mendations regarding certificationof utilization review organizationsand preferred provider organiza-

tions; reviews proposed legislationand regulations; and reviews theannual medical accessibility study.Their findings are reported to thegovernor, the Department secre-tary and the legislature.

Co-chairs Carlton DeBord (repre-senting labor) and Joseph Scag-liotti (representing management)and the rest of the Council holdpublic meetings to discuss variousissues of the Department, Bureau,and legislature.

1155

Total Disability Weekly Workers’ Compensation Rates

The following table illustrates the weekly workers’ compensation rates used to calculate benefits payable toan injured employee.

1. Statewide Avg. WeeklyWage & MaximumCompensationRate Payable(Maximum) $542.00 $561.00 $588.00 $611.00 $644.00 $662.00 $675.00

2. 50% of StatewideAverage WeeklyWage $271.00 $280.50 $294.00 $305.50 $322.00 $331.00 $337.50

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003*

The compensation rate is 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage. If 66 2/3% of the employee's averageweekly wage is greater than the maximum, the rate of compensation payable is equal to the maximum.

If the benefit calculated is less than 50% of the statewide average weekly wage, then the compensation rate shallbe the lower of 50% of the statewide average weekly wage or 90% of the employee's average weekly wage. Thereis no absolute minimum.

The maximum compensation rate payable is calculated annually and is effective January 1 of each year. The cal-culation of the average weekly wage is defined by the Act. Corresponding figures for years prior to 1997 aremaintained by the Bureau. For partial disability, other calculations and definitions apply.

*For purposes of calculating the update to payments for medical treatment rendered on and after January 1,2003, the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage is 2.0%.

The Bureau is pleased to report thecompletion of a study for fiscal year2002/03 on compliance with the21-day requirement of theWorkers' Compensation Act tomake first payment or deny aclaim. The study indicated thatPennsylvania's insurers and self-insured employers complied withthis requirement an average of 70percent of the time, up from the 66percent reported last year.

The Bureau is seeking full compli-ance with the 21-day rule.Notifications have been sent to allcompanies in the study informingthem on how well they performedand whether a meeting or actionplan was necessary. Meetings areheld to discuss practical problemsand solutions that affect a compa-ny's compliance. Alternatively, acompany is put on a formal actionplan to encourage substantial

progress in a short period of time.The ultimate goal of the meetingand action plan is to assist theinsurer and self-insured employerin making more timely payments toinjured workers as evidenced byreporting.

The Bureau has conducted thisstudy annually since 1999. Formore information, please contactNathaniel M. Holmes, Chief, ClaimsManagement Division.

21-DDay Rule Meetings

Department of Laborand Industry SecretaryStephen M. Schmerin

Compensationand Insurance

Deputy SecretaryElizabeth Crum

Bureau DirectorJohn T. Kupchinsky

(717) 783-5421

Health Care ServicesReview Division Chief

Eileen Wunsch(717) 787-3486

Claims ManagementDivision Chief

Nathaniel Holmes(717) 772-0621

Deputy Chief CounselThomas J. Kuzma

(717) 783-4467

Labor and IndustryChief Counsel

Roger H. Caffier

Self-IInsuranceDivision ChiefGeorge Knehr

(717) 783-4476

AdministrativeDivision ChiefTom Dinsmore(717) 783-5421

Health and SafetyDivision Chief

Len Negley(717) 772-1917

Medical Fee ReviewHearing Office Manager

Anne Fitzpatrick(717) 783-5421

Compliance SectionActing ManagerJohn Strawser

(717) 787-3567

Information Services SectionInformation Officer

Kathleen Dupin(717) 783-5421

Claims InformationServices

1-800-482-2383(717) 772-4447

Employer InformationServices

(717) 772-3702Manager

Mary Dean

Department/Bureau Organization Chart

Bureau Personnel

1166

1177

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Bureau DivisionsDirector’s Office - Compliance Section

PPrriimmaarryy FFuunnccttiioonnss

Ensure compliance with the Work-ers' Compensation Act, regulationsenacted pursuant to the Act, andorders issued by the workers' com-pensation judges. These functionsare accomplished through:

(a) educating employers re-garding the requirement toinsure their workers' compen-sation liability;

(b) investigating reports ofalleged employers’ failure toinsure their liability and prose-cuting cases of noncompliancein accordance with the criminalprovisions provided by the Act;

(c) referring allegations ofemployee fraud to the appro-priate insurance carrier andprosecuting authority and alle-gations of employer, insurer ormedical provider fraud to the

proper prosecuting authority;

(d) reviewing all work-relatedminor injuries to determine ifpotential child labor law viola-tions existed, referring saidviolations to Labor Law Comp-liance for determinations andcollecting any additionalcompensation due injuredminors;

(e) notifying survivors of theirpotential survivor rights underthe Workers’ Compensation Actwhen fatalities occur;

(f) reviewing and investigatingallegations of insurer, self-insurer or third-party adminis-trator violations of theWorkers’ Compensation Act todetermine if further action iswarranted; and

(g) processing statutorily-per-missible exceptions, exemp-

“Complying with the requirements of all statutory and regulatoryauthority and the court’s orders ensures that

our workers’ compensation system works as it should for everyone.”

tions and elections for inclu-sion under the Workers’ Com-pensation Act.

AAccccoommpplliisshhmmeennttss::22000022//0033 FFiissccaall YYeeaarr

1. Mailed the Employer Infor-mation pamphlet to 36,787 newor modified businesses to bet-ter educate employers abouttheir workers’ compensationresponsibilities, along with cer-tificates of insurance to secureinformation assuring theircompliance; 9,078 businessesfailed to respond, so a secondmailing was sent.

2. Instituted 1,059 new investiga-tions of potential employerfailure to insure workers’ com-pensation liability and referred18 to the Bureau’s legal divi-sion for prosecution.

3. Referred 48 complaints of em-ployee fraud to the properinsurance carrier for investiga-tion.

4. Processed 2,431 corporateexecutive officer exceptionsand 589 religious exemptionsfor exclusion under the Act aswell as 2,174 domestic elec-tions for inclusion under theAct.

5. Investigated 499 potential laborlaw violations resulting in the

collection of a 50% additionalcompensation penalty for sixinjured minors permitted towork in violation(s) of the childlabor law, amounting to$1,661.40.

FFuuttuurree GGooaallss

1. Continue to increase the effec-tiveness of the compliance sec-tion's employer education pro-gram by identifying new ways ofnotifying new, modified, and

existing businesses of the em-ployer responsibilities.

2. Reduce the time period it takesto investigate and prosecuteemployers found to have com-mitted violations of Section 305of the Workers’ CompensationAct.

3. Improve communication withprosecuting counties on thestatus and outcome of casesbeing tried and settled.

1188

PPrriimmaarryy FFuunnccttiioonnss1. Provide employees, employers,

the public, workers' compensa-tion professionals, health careproviders, government agencies,etc., with accurate and compre-hensive workers' compensationinformation. Information isprovided via the News & Notesnewsletter, the annual report,the Department website, bytelephone, feature articles inoutside publications andthrough various Bureau pam-phlets and brochures.

2. With Department Press Officeapproval, provide the mediawith accurate and timely work-ers' compensation information.This includes producing infor-mational publications, coordi-nating interviews and writingpress releases.

3. Support the Department secre-tary, the Bureau director andthe Bureau staff in their mis-sions.

AAccccoommpplliisshhmmeennttss::22000022//0033 FFiissccaall YYeeaarr1. Developed, planned and coor-

dinated the December 2002Bureau conference. Approx-imately 900 employers, insur-ers, health care providers,attorneys and others from theworkers' compensation com-munity attended the two-and-one-half-day event. In devel-oping the conference, theInformation Services Sectionwas required to: assist in creat-ing the agenda; establishspeakers from within theDepartment of Labor andIndustry and from the privatesector; coordinate travelarrangements for speakers;collect and assemble handouts;prepare a contract for securingthe conference facility; identifyand schedule keynote speaker;advertise the event on theDepartment's website, in theBureau's News & Notes, and inother publications; developand distribute the conferenceannouncement to more than

11,000 members of the work-ers' compensation community;data record registrations;arrange for the availability ofcontinuing education credits toconference attendees; commu-nicate with 72 vendors andcoordinate vendor exhibits;arrange to have Bureau repre-sentatives available at the con-ference for registration, hand-outs, and to address the needsof conference attendees.

2. Mailed 97,485 Workers' Comp-ensation and the InjuredWorker pamphlets to workersfor whom the bureau receivedan Employer's Report ofOccupational Injury or Diseaseand who lost more than a day,shift or turn of work as a resultof that injury.

3. Mailed 821 Workers' Compen-sation and the Injured Workerpamphlets with Pathways lan-guage to workers in SchuylkillCounty for whom the Bureaureceived an Employer's Reportof Occupational Injury orDisease and who lost more than

1199

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Director’s Office - Information Services Section

“There have been many changes to Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensationsystem since the Act was first passed in 1915. One thing has not changed:

the need for timely and accurate information.”

a day, shift or turn of work as aresult of that injury. Pathwaysis a Department of Labor andIndustry initiative aimed atrehabilitation, job training andemployment opportunities forPennsylvanians who are injuredor disabled. The Pathways pilotprogram for fiscal year 2002/03was conducted in SchuylkillCounty only.

4. The Claims Information Help-line responded to over 77,925workers' compensation inquiries.These included 74,001 Help-line telephone calls; 2,733 callsfrom businesses on theEmployer Information Help-line; and 1,191 e-mail ques-tions.

5. Researched and responded to1,601 inquiries of the workers'compensation insurance cover-age of employers through thePennsylvania CompensationRating Bureau database.

6. Published the Bureau's quar-terly newsletter, News & Notes.This publication provides anoverview of workers' compensa-tion policies, programs andupdates. It is distributed toover 10,000 employers, insur-ers, third-party administra-tors, union representatives,attorneys, health care profes-sionals and the public.

7. Published the Bureau's FY2001/02 Annual Report. This 62-page document provided a thor-ough review of Bureau accom-plishments, goals and a compre-hensive analysis of workers' com-pensation key statistics.

8. Published the quarterly em-ployee newsletter, Inside Infor-mation.

9. Published articles on Pennsyl-vania's workers' compensationprogram in the PennsylvaniaSelf-Insurer's Association bi-monthly newsletter.

10. Provided written responses tomore than 200 workers' com-pensation inquiries. Thesewritten inquiries were receivedfrom injured workers, employ-ers, insurers, Pennsylvania leg-islators, members of the U.S.Congress and others from theworkers' compensation com-munity.

11. Promoted the nonprofit pro-gram "Kids' Chance of Penn-sylvania, Inc." through news-letter articles and the Bureau'swebsite.

12. Added a “return service” en-dorsement to mailings in orderto better maintain theBureau’s mailing list andreduce the amount of undeliv-erable correspondence.

FFuuttuurree GGooaallss1. Continue to provide injured

workers, employers, the public,workers' compensation profes-sionals and government agen-cies with accurate and timelyinformation regarding theWorkers' Compensation Act.

2. Develop, plan and coordinateBureau conference scheduledfor December 2003.

3. Continue to provide injuredworkers, employers, the public,workers' compensation profes-sionals, government agenciesand the media with accurateand timely workers' compensa-tion information throughnewsletters, press releases, fea-ture articles and the Depart-ment website.

4. Continue to coordinate insur-ance information from thePennsylvania CompensationRating Bureau to the workers'compensation community.

5. Assist the International Asso-ciation of Industrial AccidentBoards and Commissions(IAIABC) with planning one ofits upcoming conferences.

6. Develop a handbook of generalworkers’ compensation infor-mation for use by the public,insurers, employers and othersin the workers’ compensationcommunity.

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1. Management and administra-tion of the Bureau’s medicalfee hearing program.

2. Administrative hearing andadjudication of disputes arisingbetween health care providersand workers’ compensationinsurance carriers or self-insured employers with regardto the amount and/or timeli-ness of the payment of workrelated medical expenses.


1. Achieved the lowest pendingcase inventory since establish-ment of the medical fee hear-ings program.

2. Reduced the average timebetween filing of a hearingrequest and scheduling of ahearing by almost one month.

3. Successfully implemented anew medical fee hearing com-puter program.

4. Participated in the Bureau’sannual conference, presentinginformation on hearing pro-cesses and procedures.

2211

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Director’s Office - Medical Fee Hearing Office

“Over the past few years, as both insurers and health care providershave gained experience in dealing with medical payment issues,

the number of hearing requests being filed has declined.”


1. Continued reduction in thetime elapsed between filing ofa request for hearing andscheduling of the hearing.

2. Adjudication of all cases within90 days following the close ofthe record.


1. Prepare yearly budget requestfor the Administration Fund.Project, analyze and report onthe Administration Fund ex-penditures (which include theOffice of Adjudication, Bureauof Workers' CompensationAppeal Board, Office of ChiefCounsel, Office of InformationTechnology, and Labor andIndustry bureaus that chargethe Fund for services).

2. Issue, collect and record ass-essments to replenish theAdministration Fund, Super-sedeas Fund, Subsequent In-jury Fund, Self-InsuranceGuaranty Fund and the SmallBusiness Advocate Fund.

3. Process supply/equipment/fur-niture requests and procurethem for Bureau offices, the

Office of Adjudication, and theWorkers' Compensation AppealBoard.

4. Provide administrative supportto all divisions within theBureau of Workers' Compen-sation.

5. Provide personnel advice andservices to Bureau employeesand managers.

6. Provide mailroom and opticalcharacter recognition (OCR)service to the Bureau.

7. Coordinate the leases and ren-ovation of Bureau offices.

8. Coordinate Bureau training.


1. Budgeted, monitored, andadjusted the AdministrationFund.

2222

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Administrative Division

“The Administrative Division has been working to implement theCommonwealth’s new software (SAP-ImaginePA) for budget and procure-

ment. The new software should improve the procurement process andspeed service to all Bureau program areas.”

2. Assisted the Claims Manage-ment Division in processingpetition assignments withinfive days (mailroom and OCR).


1. Monitor the budget to remainwithin 5 percent of budget.

2. Process personnel actions with-in seven working days of re-quest or other actions.

3. Assist the Claims ManagementDivision in processing petitionswithin five working days.

4. Renovate the final areas of theheadquarters building (Officeof Information Technology,Helpline, Compliance, mail-room, OCR/hearing officer, andHealth and Safety).


1. Process, record and review doc-uments received on workers’compensation claims.

2. Collect statistics regardingworkers’ compensation injuries.

3. Assign petitions to workers’compensation judges.

4. Pay claims where the Bureauhas liability.

5. Evaluate carrier and employercompliance with the reportingrequirements of the Workers’Compensation Act.

6. Serve as conservators of theSupersedeas Fund Reimburse-ment and Second Injury Funds.

7. Act as repository for workers’compensation/occupationaldisease records.


1. Processed 521,524 claim forms.

2. Continued promoting andincreasing electronic datainterchange (EDI) submissionof the Employer’s Report ofOccupational Injury or Diseaseand increased partnerships.

3. Continued promoting andincreasing electronic submis-sion of various Petition formsand Employer’s Report ofOccupational Injury or Diseasefrom the Bureau’s website.

4. Converted 50 percent of oldphysical files to electronicdatabase.

5. Continued to maintain the“Request for Records” pro-cessing time at an average of 10days or less from receipt of the

request, while processingapproximately 16,800 requests.

6. Maintained an average petitionassignment of five days fromreceipt of a petition.

7. Ongoing monitoring forimproving the performance ofthe insurers and self-insurersin compliance of the 21-dayrule.

8. Conducted external trainingsessions, for forms submissionand processing, throughout theCommonwealth and neighboringstates for insurers and third-party administrators (TPAs).

9. Processed over 54,000 currentworkers’ compensation judges’decisions while bringing a for-mer backlog up to date.

10. Processed and disbursed pay-ments of over $27.5 million

2233

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Claims Management Division

“As more and more forms are filed electronically, the resulting benefitsand savings will make paper forms a distant memory.”

from the Supersedeas Reim-bursement Fund.


1. Continue to conduct educa-tional sessions on claims man-agement forms' use and sub-mission.

2. Make available via the Internetthe submission of additionalpetition forms.

3. Expand the EDI (ElectronicData Interchange) program forsubmitting Employer's Reportof Occupational Injury orDisease data to include morepartnerships within the work-ers' compensation community.

4. Continue to monitor andimprove compliance with the21-day rule.

5. Continue to assign petitionswithin five business days.

2244


1. Administer the fee reviewprocess for health care pro-viders who are disputing thetimeliness or amount of pay-ment received for medical careprovided to injured workers.

2. Manage and monitor charge-master fee schedule data.Under amendments to theWorkers’ Compensation Act in1993, medical reimbursementwas capped based on 1994Medicare rates that are adjust-ed annually.

3. Authorize utilization revieworganizations (UROs) to reviewthe reasonableness and neces-sity of medical treatment whenrequested by the employ-er/insurer or injured worker.The division also trains, auditsand monitors UROs in regula-tory requirements.

4. Promulgate a list of physiciansqualified to perform impair-ment rating examinations(IREs) and designate an initialIRE physician when requestedby employers/self-insured em-ployers.

5. Process requests for informa-tion from vocational expertsand provide a letter of approvalas appropriate to those com-pleting appropriate forms. Alsoprocess requests for certifiedcopies of letters of approval.

6. Provide certification of coordi-nated care organizations.

7. Act as a liaison to independentconsultants performing med-ical access studies.

8. Provide education and trainingto employers, insurers andhealth care providers asrequested.

9. Act as a resource for allinvolved parties.


1. Issued 11,626 fee review deci-sions and determinations. Thisis a 25 percent increase over FY2001/02.

2. Continued to update the feeschedule quarterly on theBureau website (except forTable I).

3. Monitored and guided work ofchargemaster vendor (RESSolutions) to ensure timely andcorrect quarterly updates forinsurers and self-insured em-ployers.

4. Published a Statement ofPolicy concerning chargemas-ter coding for Part A providers,which should serve as the ini-tial step of simplifying thechargemaster.

2255

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Health Care Services Review Division

“Since the initiation of the fee schedule, utilization review, and othercost-containment provisions in 1993, insurers and self-insured employers

have the opportunity to control medical costs and still ensure thatinjured workers get timely, quality medical care.”

5. Continued to provide special-ized training for health careproviders to assist in theirunderstanding of the workers’compensation billing and pay-ment processes, as well as thefee review process. Trainedover 230 providers in Bureau-held sessions.

6. Continued to provide special-ized training on the appropri-ate and optimal application ofthe workers’ compensation feeschedule to over 120 repricersand insurers.

7. Processed and approved 27annual reports for utilizationreview organizations/peer revieworganizations (URO/PRO). Thereis a total of 26 URO/PROs cur-rently authorized.

8. Reviewed and monitored 4,760utilization review/peer reviewdeterminations and reviewerreports. This has resulted in 50short-term suspensions ofURO/PROs and five URO/PROauthorizations being revoked.

9. Received, reviewed, andapproved 13 URO/PROreauthorization applicationsand one URO/PRO authoriza-tion application.

10. Maintained a reviewer databaseto monitor URO/PRO reviewerqualifications and updated thisinformation regularly.

11. Processed 7,988 utilizationreview requests.

12. Revised utilization reviewrequest form and distributedto stakeholders.

13. Conducted biannual meetingsfor URO/PROs.

14. Received and processed 1,467IRE Requests for Designation.This is a 42 percent increaseover FY 2001/02.

15. Reviewed and authorized atotal of seven additionalPhysician applications for atotal of 82 physicians in 152geographic locations under thenew 5th Edition of the AMAGuides to the Evaluation ofPermanent Impairment. Thislist is also maintained on theBureau’s website.

16. Processed an additional 56requests for Vocational Expertinformation and issued a totalof 423 Letters of Approval as aVocational Expert. Processedover 1,550 certified copies ofletters of approval.

17. Received and distributed the2002 Medical Access Studyfrom TLG Research Associates.Study continues to indicatehigh levels of injured workerssatisfied with their medicaltreatment. For the first time inthe six years of these studies,more than 50 percent ofinjured workers indicated thatthey were informed of theirrights and duties at the time ofinjury. Study also indicates that

injured workers with ProviderPanel Lists have a high satis-faction level and return to workover 30 percent sooner.

18. Continued improvements ofservice to customers/stake-holders through increased edu-cation for health care pro-viders, employers and insurers.This included providing speak-ers at 34 educational seminarsattended by more than 2,100individuals. These speakingengagements included 14 in-service training sessions forinsurers and three in-servicetraining sessions for healthcare providers.

19. Participated in the annualBureau conference in Decem-ber 2002, providing sessions oninsurer information, utilizationreview, medical paymentissues, and medical trends.

20. Sent out over 520 fee reviewinformation packets andrevised the Fee Review Infor-mation brochure.

21. Added the Part A providerlocations by zip code to theBureau website.


MMeeddiiccaall FFeeee RReevviieeww SSeeccttiioonn

1. Continue to provide quarterlyfee schedule updates and web-site updates.

2. Provide education and supportto health care providers,

2266

2277

employers, and insurers asneeded and requested. Thiswill continue to include yearlyeducational training for re-pricers, insurers, and healthcare providers at Bureau head-quarters.

3. Continue to explore methods ofreducing the size and complex-ity of the chargemaster data-base and simplifying theupdate process.

4. Continue to examine andenhance Bureau processes inorder to meet the standard of30-day completion for feereviews.

MMeeddiiccaall TTrreeaattmmeenntt RReevviieeww SSeeccttiioonn

1. Authorize and reauthorizeURO/PROs as requested andrequired.

2. Continue monitoring URO/PRODetermination Face SheetPackages for compliance withthe Medical Cost Containmentregulations.

3. Conduct random, on-siteaudits of URO/PRO opera-tions in accordance withMedical Cost Containmentregulations.

4. Continue work on automatingthe Utilization Review processes.

5. Continue education of insurers,employers, attorneys andinjured workers concerning theUtilization Review process and

conduct semi-annual meetingsfor URO/PROs.

IIRREE PPrrooggrraamm

1. Update the website IRE list ona quarterly basis.

2. Process Requests for Desig-nation in a timely manner.

GGeenneerraall

1. Conduct quarterly meetingswith the Insurer/ProviderMedical Cost ContainmentCommittee.

2. Continue to provide educationand training through seminars

and insurer/provider in-servic-es on Medical Cost Contain-ment issues and processes.

3. Monitor contractor's perform-ance and preparation of 2003Medical Access Study report inaccordance with the Act anddistribute these upon comple-tion.

4. Participate in the Bureau con-ference.

2288

MMeeddiiccaall AAcccceessss SSttuuddyy

The annual Medical Access Study, mandated by Act 44, assesses whether workers have continuing access to qualitymedical care. Surveys are sent annually to 10,000 randomly selected injured workers, with 20 percent responding.These are some important findings from the more recent studies:

" Over the past three years, 80.9 percent of workers surveyed expressed overall satisfaction with the carereceived.

" In 2002, workers treated by panel doctors not only returned to work more quickly (43.2 vs. 50.5 days per injury)but expressed higher satisfaction, and rated the care higher on all quality indicators.

# The respondents who expressed the highest satisfaction were those who were able to cchhoooossee a provider froma list given them by the employer. In this group, 85 percent said that they were Satisfied or Very Satisfied,with 48 percent checking off Very Satisfied.

# Workers who were treated by panel providers, but ttoolldd wwhhoomm ttoo sseeee by the employer or carrier, weresignificantly less satisfied.

The data from the past three years have made abundantly clear the importance of two issues:

" That posted panels offer an appropriate array of qualified providers.

" That workers be informed of their rights and benefits under workers' compensation.

There has been steady improvement on this second issue since 1996, when only 30 percent of respondents said thatrights and benefits had been explained to them at the time of injury. Last year, 54.3 percent said that rights andbenefits had been explained.


1. Evaluate employer applicationsfor certification of employerworkplace safety committeesfor eligibility of workers’ com-pensation insurance premiumdiscounts as allowed underArticle X of the Act. Provideassistance and guidance toemployers in the establishmentof safety committees, in theinterpretation of requirementsfor certification and in the cor-rection of application deficien-cies prior to resubmission.

2. Provide safety committee certi-fication renewal affidavits forcertified employers and evalu-ate submitted affidavits for eli-gibility for continuing premi-um discounts.

3. Review annual reports of acci-dent and illness preventionservices and programs fromPennsylvania-licensed workers’compensation carriers, self-insured employers and groupself-insurance funds. Form-ulate recommendations of pro-gram or service adequacy forconsideration in determiningwhether to recommend contin-uance of licensure or self-insurance status.

4. Determine the necessity for,and conduct, on-site audits ofaccident and illness preventionservices and programs and cer-tified safety committees. Con-figure and monitor deficiencycorrection programs as neces-

sary to resolve program or serv-ice inadequacies.

5. Through written and verbalcommunications, conferenceparticipation and speaking en-gagements, disseminate healthand safety-related informationto members of the regulatedcommunity regarding: certifi-cation/recertification proce-dures and requirements; annu-al reporting process; mandato-ry program and service ele-ments; and qualification levelsof accident and illness preven-tion service providers.

6. Serve as member of theWorkSAFE Advisory Board,which directs statewide activi-ties and programs aimed at

2299

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Health and Safety Division

“Since the creation of the state’s workplace safety committee certificationprogram with the 1993 amendments to the Act, we’ve been able to helpemployers save over $130 million in insurance premiums. Much of those

dollars are put back into safety programs, and that means that fewerPennsylvania workers are being injured.”

increasing safety awarenessand overall workplace healthand safety. Participate in theemployer nomination andselection processes for the Gov-ernor’s Award for Safety Ex-cellence.


1. Implemented legislation ex-tending the 5 percent discountfor five years to a perpetual,annual discount, includingdesigning/testing the requireddata-processing and formschanges and notifying clients.Reactivated over 2,500 clients.

2. Granted initial certification toa cumulative total of 5,194workplace safety committeescovering over 726,500 employ-ees as of June 30, 2003. Thecumulative number of approvedworkplace safety committeecertification renewals totaled15,415. Approximate employerpremium discount savings nowtotal over $127,100,000.

3. Released all required self-insured, group fund, andinsurer required filing reportswithin required time frames.

4. Evaluated the acceptability ofaccident and illness preventionprograms and services of 1,047insurers and self-insured em-ployers through annuallyrequired reports.

5. Conducted 210 on-site auditsof licensed workers’ compensa-tion insurers and self-insuredemployer accident and illnessprevention programs and serv-ices and certified workplacesafety committees.

6. Conducted audits of 11Commonwealth agency acci-dent and illness preventionprograms.

7. Conducted an average of atleast 12 on-site audits permonth.

8. Revised the Self-Insured Em-ployers (LIBC-220E) on-siteaudit procedures and annualreport form providing addi-tional information on theeffectiveness measures beingused.

9. Completed refresher trainingfor experienced Accident andIllness Prevention Analysts.

10. Completed the data entryphase of 6+ years of annualinsurer report information inanticipation of issuing an"Insurer Data Profile" in fiscalyear 2003/04. For selected cat-egories of accident and illnessprevention program elements,the profiles will provide eachinsurer with comparisons oftheir specific data to that forall reporting insurers.

11. Managed and directed theprocess to select and award the

Governor’s Award for SafetyExcellence to 15 Pennsylvaniacompanies. Conducted severalon-site visits.

12. Refined and revised theDepartment’s Return-to-WorkProgram through WorkSAFEAdvisory Board for Fall 2004launch.


1. Increase outreach efforts toemployers and members of thegeneral public through infor-mation seminars, written pub-lications and website informa-tion concerning the certifica-tion process and accident andillness prevention programsand services requirements.

2. Promote the WorkSAFE initia-tive through participation inseminars, association meetingsand written publications.

3. Conduct a total of 300 Insurer,Self-Insured Employers, GroupSelf-Insurance Funds, andCertified Workplace SafetyCommittee audits.

4. Pursue design of data process-ing systems to allow online fil-ing of forms and communica-tions with clients and the gen-eral public.

5. Complete development of aninsurers' annual report dataprofile comparing individualinsurers to overall "averages"

3300

developed from cumulativeannual report data.

6. Complete design and data en-try for and issue a "Self-In-sured Employer Data Profile"comparing individual employerdata to that reported by all

self-insured employers forselected categories of preven-tion program information.

7. Develop the framework for thePennsylvania Safety TrainingInstitute to provide both tar-

geted and general instructionto employers and members ofthe general public.

8. Redesign Division website to atopic and user-friendly envi-ronment.

3311


1. All legal services provided tothe Bureau are coordinatedthrough the Governor's Officeof General Counsel. Attorneysrepresenting the Bureau andits support staff are responsi-ble for defending any legalchallenges to the Bureau'simplementation of the work-ers' compensation system.

2. Responsible for preparingcriminal prosecutions of em-ployers who fail to maintainworkers' compensation cover-age for workers.

3. Defend claims brought againstcertain statutorily createdfunds. For example, attorneysassociated with the Bureaurepresent the Commonwealthin claims against the Super-sedeas Fund as well as theSubsequent Injury Fund, and

claims under the Occu-pational Disease Act.

4. Review statutes and regula-tions (federal and state) thatmay have an effect on theworkers’ compensation com-munity. In addition, draftbills, regulations and state-ments of policy at the behestof client to either correct defi-ciencies or make enhance-ments to the system.

5. Routinely answer inquiriesfrom the public, includingwritten correspondence sentto departmental personnel,and telephone calls that arehandled by duty week lawclerks and attorneys.


1. Larry Pitt & Associates, P.C. v.Butler, (No. 543 M.D. 2000;

Pa. Cmwlth.) – Herein, plain-tiff alleges that the legisla-ture's enactment of section442 of the Workers'Compensation Act (WC Act) isunconstitutional because it isin contravention of Article 5,Section 10(c) of thePennsylvania Constitution(Judicial administration).Additionally, plaintiff soughtto enjoin the defendants frominterfering with, regulating,or restricting attorneys' feesin workers' compensationmatters. On October 30, 2001,the Commonwealth Court sus-tained the Commonwealth'spreliminary objection relatingto the plaintiff's failure toexhaust its administrativeremedies and hence dismissedthe petition. On September 5,2002, the Supreme Court

3322

“Our goal remains to provide thorough, timely, and reliable service to ourclient and the workers’ compensation community.”

TThhoommaass JJ.. KKuuzzmmaa eeaarrnneedd aa JJuurriiss DDooccttoorr ffrroomm GGeeoorrggeettoowwnn UUnniivveerrssiittyy LLaawwCCeenntteerr iinn 11998899 aanndd rreecceeiivveedd aa MMaasstteerrss iinn GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonnffrroomm tthhee UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa iinn 11999988.. TToomm sseerrvveedd aass aa lliittiiggaattiioonnaassssoocciiaattee ffoorr tthhee PPhhiillaaddeellpphhiiaa ffiirrmm ooff DDeecchheerrtt PPrriiccee && RRhhooaaddss ((nnoowwDDeecchheerrtt LLLLPP)) ffoorr aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy ssiixx yyeeaarrss pprriioorr ttoo aacccceeppttiinngg aa ppoossiittiioonn aassaann aassssiissttaanntt ccoouunnsseell ffoorr tthhee PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt ooff LLaabboorr && IInndduussttrryyiinn 11999955.. SSiinnccee 11999966,, TToomm hhaass sseerrvveedd aass DDeeppuuttyy CChhiieeff CCoouunnsseell ooff tthheeBBuurreeaauu.. HHee iiss tthhee cchhiieeff lliittiiggaattoorr aanndd aaddvviissoorr oonn aallll ffaacceettss ooff tthhee BBuurreeaauu’’ssooppeerraattiioonnss,, iinncclluuddiinngg rreegguullaattoorryy aanndd lleeggiissllaattiivvee iinniittiiaattiivveess.. TToomm ffrreeqquueenntt-llyy ggiivveess lleeccttuurreess ccoonncceerrnniinngg wwoorrkkeerrss’’ ccoommppeennssaattiioonn iissssuueess..

Legal Division

affirmed the CommonwealthCourt’s opinion (No. 45 EAP2001).

2. Webb v. WCAB (Chalmers &Rubick), (No. 2332 C.D. 2002;Pa. Cmwlth.) – Herein, Pet-itioner Webb argues that theWorkers' Compensation Judge(WCJ) and Workers' Compen-sation Appeal Board (WCAB)erred in awarding only a twen-ty percent (20%) attorney'sfee pursuant to section 442 ofthe WC Act. Like in Pitt above,Petitioner claims that section442 of the WC Act is unconsti-tutional. In a decision datedFebruary 3, 2003, theCommonwealth Court affirm-ed the WCAB's order affirm-ing the WCJ's decision reduc-ing Attorney Pitt's attorney'sfee to 20%.

3. Bass v. Butler, (No. 98-4112;E.D. Pa.) – Herein, Bass chal-lenges the constitutionality ofsection 412 of the WC Act, 77P.S. § 851. That section per-mits cases to be reassigned toanother WCJ at any timebefore an award or disal-lowance of compensation, andallows the testimony takenbefore the original WCJ to beconsidered as though takenbefore the new WCJ unless thenew WCJ orders otherwise.

Bass contends that her dueprocess rights were violatedwhen her workers' compensa-

tion case was transferred fromWCJ Perry to WCJ Rosen with-out her knowledge, eventhough both WCJ Perry andWCJ Rosen signed the deci-sion denying plaintiff's claimfor benefits. This is not thefirst time Bass has made thisargument. In affirming thedecision denying plaintiff'sclaim, the CommonwealthCourt concluded that al-though plaintiff's facial chal-lenge to section 415 was pro-cedurally barred, section 415was constitutional as appliedto her.

In a decision filed September26, 2002, the United StatesDistrict Court for the EasternDistrict dismissed plaintiff'sclaims under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, statingthat it had no subject matterjurisdiction over plaintiff'sclaim since it was inextricablyintertwined with theCommonwealth Court's deci-sion upholding the constitu-tionality of section 415 asapplied to plaintiff. Theplaintiff has since appealedthe district court's decision tothe Third Circuit (No. 02-4027).

4. Wausau Insurance Companiesv. Workers' CompensationAppeal Board (Commonwealthof Pennsylvania), (No. 2061C.D. 2002; Pa. Cmwlth.) – On

May 13, 2003, the Common-wealth Court issued anOpinion and Order in thisSupersedeas Fund matterwherein the Court held thatreimbursement for contestedclaim petitions is only properfor "those payments attribut-able to a claimant's period ofdisability subsequent to thedate the request for super-sedeas is filed." This holdingextended the court's priorholding in Robb, Leonard andMulvihill v. Workers' Compen-sation Appeal Board (Hooper),746 A.2d 1175 (Pa. Cmwlth.2002), to Supersedeas Fundapplications seeking reim-bursement for contestedclaim petitions and will sub-stantially reduce the numberand amount of expendituresfrom the Supersedeas Fund inresponse to litigated claimpetitions.

5. Bureau of Workers' Compen-sation v. Workers' Compen-sation Appeal Board (ExelLogistics), (No. 185 C.D. 2003;Pa. Cmwlth.) – In a publishedopinion dated June 6, 2003,the Bureau successfully main-tained that Supersedeas Fundreimbursement is not properwhere the underlying matterwas commenced under section306 of the WC Act. Althoughno provision of the WC Actpermits reimbursement of

3333

monies paid while litigating amatter under section 306 ofthe WC Act, the SupersedeasFund was often required topay in such circumstances.This case will eliminate theSupersedeas Fund's liability insuch cases.

6. Pep Boys, Inc. v. WCAB(Young), (No. 2088 C.D. 2002;Pa. Cmwlth.) – In a reporteddecision, the CommonwealthCourt denied the Insurer'sappeal, and affirmed theWCAB's order denying Super-sedeas Fund reimbursementfor alleged overpayments ofcompensation where theInsurer compromised its lienfor the receipt of third-partybenefits under section 319 ofthe WC Act. In so holding theCourt found that section 319requires an insurer to seekthe "full amount of compen-sation it is owed from thethird-party tortfeasor respon-sible for the work injury," notfrom the Supersedeas Fund.

7. Promulgation of Hepatitis CGuidelines – On December20, 2001, then-Governor MarkSchweiker signed Act 115 of2001, Act of Dec. 20, 2001(P.L. 967, No. 115), whichamended section 108 of theWC Act to create a presump-tion that hepatitis C in certainsafety, emergency, and rescuepersonnel occupations is an

occupational disease withinthe meaning of the WC Act.This presumption is not con-clusive and is rebutted if theemployer has established anemployment-screening pro-gram, in accordance withguidelines established by theDepartment in coordinationwith the Department of Healthand Pennsylvania EmergencyManagement Agency. Theguidelines were published at32 Pa. Bull. 3495 on July 20,2002.

8. Revision of Special Rules ofAdministrative Practice andProcedure Before Workers'Compensation Judges and theWorkers' Compensation AppealBoard – On Dec 7, 2002, theRulemaking for the WCJRules and WCAB Rules waspublished in final-form in thePennsylvania Bulletin. TheRulemaking amended numer-ous portions of 34 Pa. CodeChapters 111 and 131. Thepublication of this Rulemak-ing was the result of severalyears of effort to clarify andimprove the effectiveness ofthese Rules.

9. Provision of Inter-AgencyCounsel – The Departmentworked with the InsuranceDepartment to develop appro-priate regulatory guidancerelating to the implementa-tion of the Health Insurance

Portability & AccountabilityAct of 1996 (HIPAA), P.L. 104-191 (Aug. 21, 1996) and theGramm, Leach Bliley Act(GLBA), P.L. 106-102 (Nov. 12,1999), and the impact of theseacts upon insurers licensed bythe Commonwealth of Penn-sylvania. Such guidance waspromulgated by the InsuranceDepartment at 31 Pa. CodeChapter 146(b) (relating toPrivacy of Consumer HealthInformation) on October 26,2002.

10. Promulgation of Chargemas-ter Statement of Policy – TheDepartment promulgated astatement of policy at 34 Pa.Code Chapter 126 (relating toHealth Care Under the WCAct), which addressed themanner by which health careproviders should submit costdata to the Bureau. The state-ment of policy provides thatwhen submitting data under34 Pa. Code § 127.155(c), allcodes submitted to theBureau shall be based uponthe appropriate HIPAA-com-pliant code set, where avail-able.

11. PCRB Manual RevisionRelating to Volunteers Underthe WC Act – In conjunctionwith Pennsylvania Compensa-tion Rating Bureau (PCRB)personnel, the Workers'Compensation's Legal Division

3344

(WC Division) drafted a revi-sion to the PCRB Manualenabling volunteer fire com-panies and ambulance corpsto seek a workers' compensa-tion policy separate from theworkers' compensation policyof the municipality in whichthe volunteer fire company orambulance corps is headquar-tered. The proposed languagewas adopted by the PCRB'sClassification and RatingCommittee in November 2002and approved by the Insur-ance Commissioner in Jan-uary 2003. The effective dateof the new Manual languagewill be April 1, 2003, for newand renewal policies of thatdate or later.

12. New Subsequent Injury Pe-tition Form – In 2002, the WCDivision worked with theClaims Management Divisionto create a new claim form,the Claim Petition forSubsequent Injury (LIBC-375), to be used exclusivelyfor claims requesting benefitsfrom the Subsequent InjuryFund. In the past, a claim forthese benefits was brought byfiling a general Claim Petitionfor Workers' Compensation(LIBC-362) and checking aspecific line in paragraph 14which indicated a request for"additional compensation"from this Fund. This method

often resulted in the "addi-tional compensation" linebeing checked erroneously,thus requiring the WCDivision to travel across thestate and participate in hear-ings for which there was nolegitimate Subsequent Injuryclaim. The new form was com-pleted and disseminated tothe workers' compensationcommunity in December 2002,and is in full use.

13. The following is a history ofthe Workers' CompensationDivision's successful Section305 prosecutions for fiscalyear 2002:

! Commonwealth v. Advanced65 Inc. & Advanced HomeCare (Katherine Ward),(No. CC 20011-7759;Allegheny County C.C.P.) –The defendant placed on24 months probation andordered to complete 200hours of community ser-vce during the probation-ary period. The defendantpaid restitution ofapproximately $9,000 pluscourt costs.

! Commonwealth v. Butch &Sundance Construction(Gene Cassidy & BrianBurket, t/d/b/a Butch &Sundance Construction),(Nos. CR-0341-02, CR-0342-02; Blair CountyC.C.P.) – Defendants placed

on 12 months probationand directed to pay theadministrative costs ofprosecution. Each defendantwas also ordered to com-plete 25 hours of commu-nity service and pay theadditional costs for com-munity service and super-vision.

! Commonwealth v. C & CManufacturing and Fab-ricating Co., (No. CR-0000420-02; Luzerne Coun-ty C.C.P.) – Defendantpled guilty to 1 misde-meanor count and wasfined $1,000 plus courtcosts.

! Commonwealth v. CharlesK. Vulakovich (AntrimFood Service/Aunt Jen'sDiner), (No. OTN-F-127399-6; Allegheny Coun-ty C.C.P.) – Defendant wascharged with 983 misde-meanor counts of violatingsection 305 of the Act. OnOctober 8, 2002, the mat-ter was withdrawn basedupon the payment of fullrestitution in the amountof $4,250.

! Commonwealth v. FrancesWheeler d/b/a Tri-CountyHome Health Care, (Nos.467-02, 468-02; FayetteCounty C.C.P.) – Defend-ant ordered to make resti-

3355

tution in the amount of$27,091.

! Commonwealth v. Land-mark Motor Cars, Inc.(Alexander Fishman akaSimon Fishman aka SteveBaker), (No. CR-0000441-01; Philadelphia CountyC.C.P.) – Defendant Land-mark Motors Cars, Inc.pled guilty to 51 felonycounts and was sentencedto 50 years probation on 8counts; sentence was sus-pended on the remainingcounts, and restitutionwas also awarded. Defend-ant Landmark was alsoordered to pay to theinjured employee ongo-ing workers' compensationthrough early January2003, the cost of whichtotaled approximately$102,000; court costs werealso ordered.

! Commonwealth v. Night-ingale Home Health Care,Inc. & Judith L. Hodgson,(No. CR-2261-02; Wash-ington County C.C.P.) –Defendant placed on 12months probation and or-dered to pay a fine total-ing $18,100 and reim-bursement of Bureau'scosts of $207.

! Commonwealth v. P & LKurtz, Inc. (Paul M.Kurtz, Jr.), (No. CR-2717-

2002; Lancaster CountyC.C.P.) – At sentencing onSeptember 30, 2002, thedefendant was enteredinto the ARD program,placed on 2 years proba-tion and ordered to com-plete 50 hours of commu-nity service. He was alsoordered to pay $650 incosts and fined $2,817.

! Commonwealth v. PattonRoofing Co. & Stephen J.Shaffer, (Nos. CR-0206-02, CR 0207-02; Dela-ware County C.C.P.) – De-fendant was entered in theARD program, placed on 2years probation, orderedto complete 32 hours ofcommunity service andpay $15,000 restitution.

! Commonwealth v. PaulKoci d/b/a The Galley andd/b/a Koci's Tavern, (No.CR-235-03; Washingtonand Greene County C.C.P.)– Defendant was sen-tenced to 23½ monthsprobation and ordered topay restitution to theinjured employee in theamount of $8,434.

! Commonwealth v. PeterBlue, Jr., (No. CR-0000256-01; WashingtonCounty C.C.P.) – Defend-ant was entered into theARD program and placed

3366

on 23½ months probation,during which time he isrequired to pay restitu-tion in the amount of$23,737.77.

! Commonwealth v. R & KWettlaufer Logging, Inc.(Robert M. Wettlaufer asCEO and Kay R. Wettlauf-er as Secretary of R & KLogging, Inc.), (No.0000202-02; BradfordCounty C.C.P.) – Defend-ant pled guilty to one mis-demeanor count and wasordered to pay $1,613,which included a $1,500fine and court costs.

! Commonwealth v. Sand-blasting & Painting Inc./Tara D. Robinson, (Nos.CR-269-02, CR-268-02;Schuylkill County C.C.P.) –The individual defendantwas ordered to serve 12months probation and paycosts and a fine totaling$7,000.

! Commonwealth v. SignAdvantage, Inc./John Sessa(No. CR-1697-03; DelawareCounty C.C.P.) – Defend-ant was ordered to serveone-year probation andpay restitution in theamount of $36,604.

! Commonwealth v. StavrosPizza, Inc./John Passalis,(No. CP 0101-0184; Phil-

adelphia County C.C.P.) –Defendant pled guilty to35 felonies of the thirddegree. A sentencing orderin this case was signed inwhich defendant wasplaced on seven years pro-bation with the followingconditions: Defendant mustpay $20,000 in restitutionto the deceased employee'swife; and defendant mustpay $15,000 in restitutionfor the deceased employ-ee's minor child.

! Commonwealth v. Stooge'sInc. d/b/a C J Barn-ey's/Bernard Silverman,

(No. 200110404; AlleghenyCounty C.C.P.) – TheDefendant was ordered toserve 2 years probationand pay fines totaling$18,000, costs totaling$2,024, and restitution inthe amount of $620.

! Commonwealth v. TraversTrucking Co. (Richard C.Travers), (No. CR-0023-02; Jefferson CountyC.C.P.) – Defendantagreed to make restitutionin the amount of $1,579.

! Commonwealth v. YoungChoe d/b/a Young ChoeAuto Sales, (No. CC

200113915-26; AlleghenyCounty C.C.P.) – A pleaagreement was reached onSeptember 26, 2002, inwhich the defendant pledguilty to 431 felony counts.Defendant was placed on15 years probation, andordered to pay the costs ofprosecution and restitu-tion in the amount of$88,481.46.

FFuuttuurree GGooaall

1. Assist our clients to achievetheir objectives to the greatestdegree possible within thebounds of the law.

3377


1. Process and decide applica-tions of individual employersfor self-insurance status underSection 305 of the Workers’Compensation Act and Section305 of the PennsylvaniaOccupational Disease Act, setconditions for self-insurance,and monitor self-insuredemployers’ compliance withthese conditions. As of July 1,2003, there were 793 employ-ers authorized to self-insuretheir liability.

2. Process and decide applica-tions of groups of employers tooperate as group self-insurancefunds under Article VIII of theAct; regulate and monitor thefinancial conditions of thegroup funds, including the set-ting of rates, the maintenanceof surplus, and the distribution

of dividends to members.Eighteen group self-insurancefunds are currently operating,covering over 690 employers inthe Commonwealth.

3. Collect and tabulate informa-tion needed to issue assess-ments to maintain specialfunds established under theAct.

4. Administer the Self-InsuranceGuaranty Fund and the use offinancial security to remedydefaults of self-insurers. TheGuaranty Fund and its specialPrefund Account, which appliesto claimants injured before1993, provide benefits to morethan 490 claimants. An addi-tional 76 claimants receivebenefits from self-insurancesecurity administered and paidthrough the division.

3388

“Since passage of the Act in 1915, employers with the proper financialstrength have had the option of directly covering their liability through

self-insurance. While its regulation and guaranty requirements havechanged over the years, many believe that self-insurance is still the bestmethod for providing workers’ compensation protection to employees.”

GGeeoorrggee KKnneehhrr rreecceeiivveedd hhiiss bbaacchheelloorr’’ss ddeeggrreeee iinn sseeccoonnddaarryy eedduuccaattiioonn ffrroommKKuuttzzttoowwnn UUnniivveerrssiittyy aanndd hhaass aa mmaasstteerr’’ss ddeeggrreeee iinn ppuubblliicc aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonnffrroomm SShhiippppeennssbbuurrgg UUnniivveerrssiittyy.. HHee hhaass bbeeeenn CChhiieeff ooff tthhee SSeellff-IInnssuurraanncceeDDiivviissiioonn ssiinnccee 11998888.. PPrriioorr ttoo jjooiinniinngg tthhee BBuurreeaauu,, hhee wwaass aann aaddmmiinniissttrraattiivveeooffffiicceerr ffoorr eeiigghhtt yyeeaarrss wwiitthh tthhee PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa LLaabboorr RReellaattiioonnss BBooaarrdd,, aannddhhee wwoorrkkeedd ffoorr oonnee yyeeaarr wwiitthh tthhee ffoorrmmeerr PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt ooffCCoommmmuunniittyy AAffffaaiirrss,, BBuurreeaauu ooff LLooccaall GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt SSeerrvviicceess..

Self-IInsurance Division


1. Oversaw the transfer of threedefaulted self-insurers' liabili-ties to their appropriate suretycompany or security trustee,including one situation involv-ing over 750 injured workers.

2. Entered a new five-year con-tract with a claims servicescompany for the administra-tion and payment of GuarantyFund and Prefund Accountclaims.

3. Processed 791 renewal applica-tions and 70 new applicationsfor individual self-insurancestatus and 18 group self-insur-ance fund annual reports andrate requests.

4. Worked with staff of the Officeof Information Technology onthe design and implementation

of a server-based computersystem for the calculation,issuance, and payment of spe-cial fund assessments.


1. Continue training self-insurerson the proper completion offorms, the provision of data,

and the projection of outstand-ing liability.

2. Update the ratio-factors meas-uring the annual percentage ofclaims development for self-insurers and insured employ-ers and update the mortalityand pension tables used in thesetting of self-insurance re-serves.

3. Revise forms for reportingopen claims reserves of self-insurers, including updates tothe tables for suggestivereserve amounts on perma-nent-total and fatal injuryclaims.

3399

4400

Bureau Statistical ReviewBenefits Paid 2000-22002* Indemnity and Medical Breakdown

2001

2000

IInnddeemmnniittyy MMeeddiiccaall TToottaallCCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd

IInnddeemmnniittyy MMeeddiiccaall TToottaallCCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd

Insurance Carriers $981,179,895 $719,323,853 $1,700,503,748(70.7%)

SWIF** $108,514,476 $35,992,106 $144,506,582(6.0%)

Individual Self-Insurers $360,239,007 $175,081,315 $535,320,322(22.2%)

Group Self-Insurance Funds $12,146,582 $13,572,442 $25,719,024(1.1%)

Total $1,462,079,960 $943,969,716 $2,406,049,676(60.77%) (39.23%) (100%)

2002IInnddeemmnniittyy MMeeddiiccaall TToottaall

CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd

Insurance Carriers $1,030,275,254 $730,988,928 $1,761,264,182(71.1%)

SWIF** $105,029,451 $52,250,830 $157,280,281(6.3%)



Total $1,487,588,045 $990,861,262 $2,478,449,307(60.02%) (39.98%) (100%)

Insurance Carriers $970,869,593 $689,303,679 $1,660,173,272(69.8%)

SWIF** $119,195,443 $35,364,961 $154,560,404(6.5%)



Total $1,472,142,115 $906,448,876 $2,378,590,991(61.89%) (38.11%) (100%)

*Calendar Years **SWIF: State Workers’ Insurance Fund

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Insurance and Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Department of Labor and Industry

4411

TToottaall WWoorrkkeerrss’’ CCoommppeennssaattiioonn PPaaiidd(Medical and Indemnity) 1993-22002

11999933 11999944 11999955 11999966 11999977 11999988 11999999 22000000 22000011 22000022

CCaalleennddaarr BBeenneeffiitt YYeeaarrss

$$22,,44

7711,,00

2211,,33

5588

$$22,,44

1188,,00

7711,,55

2277

$$22,,44

4400,,99

0088,,22

4400

$$22,,55

4422,,55

1177,,00

0000

$$22,,66

6633,,44

7799,,11

1100

$$22,,55

8811,,66

4411,,66

0066

$$22,,77

7744,,22

4466,,44

9944

$$22,,44

0066,,00

4499,,66

7766

$$22,,44

7788,,44

4499,,33

0077

$3,000,000,000

$2,750,000,000

$2,500,000,000

$2,250,000,000

$2,000,000,000

$1,750,000,000

$1,500,000,000

$1,250,000,000

$1,000,000,000

$750,000,000

$500,000,000

$250,000,000

$$22,,33

7788,,55

9900,,99

9911

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Insurance and Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Department of Labor and Industry

4422

FFiissccaall YYeeaarr 22000022//0033 IInnjjuurryy SSttaattiissttiiccss! In Pennsylvania, 98,042 work injury and illness cases were reported to the bureau during FY 2002/03. This year's

total was 4.1% higher than the 94,215 reported in FY 2001/02.

! Pennsylvania's Work Injuries and Illnesses Rate (the number of lost-time work injuries per 1,000 workers) was17.3 in FY 2002/03. The 2001/02 FY rate was 16.6. Mining had the highest injury and illness rate among the majorindustry divisions in FY 2002/03 at 38.9.

! The divisions of industry with the highest percentage of accidents were Services (28%), Manufacturing (15%), andRetail Trade (15%).

! Sprain and strain injuries (42,850) accounted for 43.7% of the total cases reported in FY 2002/03. Over 22% of thecases were cuts, lacerations and punctures (9.2%) and contusions, crushes and bruises (13.1%).

! The most frequent types of accidents in Pennsylvania in FY 2002/03 were due to overexertion (33.0%), resultingin a sprain or strain in 79.1% of the overexertion cases. The second leading cause of injury resulted in a sprain orstrain in 57.1% of the bodily exertion cases. Cuts, lacerations or punctures were the result in 28.9% of all "struck-by" accidents and 49.6% of all "struck-against" accidents.

! Injuries to the upper extremities (arms, wrists, hands, fingers, shoulders) accounted for over 31.8% (31,138) ofthe total cases reported in FY 2002/03. Back injuries alone (19,437) represented over 19.8% of the cases. Injuriesto legs and fingers represented 18.1% of the total.

! Industry divisions with the highest number of work-related fatalities were TPU (27), Services (25) and PublicAdministration (21).

! Almost half (46,614) of the 98,042 cases reported in FY 2002/03 came from eight of the Commonwealth's 67 coun-ties. Those counties, which represent 47% of Pennsylvania's workforce, were Philadelphia (13,783), Allegheny(8,701), Montgomery (4,760), Lancaster (4,738), Bucks (4,078), Delaware (3,681), Berks (3,772), and York (3,102).

! Injuries by Body Part Affected:

Neck: 2,467 (2.5%)

Head: 7,066 (7.2%); Eyes: 2,751 (2.8%); Face: 764 (0.8%)

Upper Extremities: 31,138 (31.8%); Arms: 5,701 (5.8%); Wrists: 3,849 (3.9%); Hands: 5,125 (5.2%); Fingers: 6,091(6.2%); Shoulder: 6,190 (6.3%)

Trunk: 25,974 (26.5%); Chest: 1,865 (1.9%); Back: 19,437 (19.8%); Abdomen: 2,995 (3.1%)

Lower Extremities: 22,647 (23.1%); Leg: 11,690 (11.9%); Knee: 8,617 (8.8%); Ankle: 5,287 (5.4%); Foot: 3,379(3.4%); Toes: 857 (0.9%); Hips: 954 (1.0%)

Multiple Parts: 7,954 (8.1%)

Body Systems: 794 (0.8%)


PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaa WWoorrkk IInnjjuurriieess,, IIllllnneesssseess aanndd FFaattaalliittiieessCalendar Year 1916 (10-YYear Intervals) through Fiscal Year 2002/03

YYEEAARR** TTOOTTAALL FFAATTAALL**** NNOONNFFAATTAALL

CCYY 11991166 225555,,661166 22,,667700 225522,,994466

CCYY 11992200 117744,,997799 22,,552288 117722,,445511

CCYY 11993300 114444,,666699 11,,775522 114422,,991177

CCYY 11994400 110099,,447755 11,,227788 110088,,119977

CCYY 11995500 9966,,337722 990099 9955,,446633

CCYY 11996600 7788,,994477 770011 7788,,224466

CCYY 11997700 9999,,118822 663300 9988,,555522

CCYY 11998800 114477,,446666 336644 114477,,110022

CCYY 11999900 115588,,003300 223355 115577,,779955

FFYY 11999955//9966 111111,,441122 113399 111111,,227733

FFYY 11999966//9977 9944,,008811 115555 9933,,992266

FFYY 11999977//9988 8877,,333399 111144 8877,,222255

FFYY 11999988//9999 8833,,776699 110055 8833,,666644

FFYY 11999999//0000 8811,,333388 112244 8811,,221144

FFYY 22000000//0011 8822,,881133 111188 8822,,669955

FFYY 22000011//0022 9944,,221155 114466 9944,,006699

FFYY 22000022//0033 9988,,004422 114477 9977,,889955

*CY = Calendar Year; FY = Fiscal Year** Represents fatalities that occurred immediately or within a few days of the work event that caused death and are

reported to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.


4433

4444

RReeppoorrttaabbllee IInnjjuurriieess bbyy IInndduussttrryy FFYY 22000022//0033

((1100-YYeeaarr CCoommppaarriissoonn))RReeppoorrttaabbllee IInnjjuurriieess bbyy IInndduussttrryy FFYY 11999922//9933

Source: Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, Department of Labor and Industry

4455

PPeerrcceenntt DDiissttrriibbuuttiioonn bbyy TTyyppee ooff AAcccciiddeennttoorr EExxppoossuurree FFiissccaall YYeeaarr 22000022//0033

PPeerrcceenntt DDiissttrriibbuuttiioonn bbyy NNaattuurree ooff IInnjjuurryyoorr IIllllnneessss FFiissccaall YYeeaarr 22000022//0033


The information provided on this page replaces the table published on page 46 of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Safety Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2002/03.

New Claims Breakouts Fiscal Years 2000/01 – 2002/03

(Revised May 2004)


46

Fiscal Year

2000/01 % of Total

New Claims Fiscal Year

2001/02 % of Total

New Claims

% Change From

2000/01 to

2001/02 Fiscal Year

2002/03 % of Total

New Claims

% Change

from 2001/02

to 2002/03

New Claims 108,069 100.0% 105,506 100.0% -2.37% 111,023 100.0% 5.23%

Accepted Claims 63,389 58.7% 56,346 53.4% -11.11% 57,564 51.8% 2.16%

By Temporary Notice of Comps 19,260 17.8% 19,875 18.8% 3.19% 22,374 20.2% 12.57%

By Notice of Comps 36,655 33.9% 33,135 31.4% -9.60% 31,691 28.5% -4.36%

Other 7,474 6.9% 3,336 3.2% -55.37% 3,499 3.2% 4.89%

Denied Claims 44,680 41.3% 49,160 46.6% 10.03% 53,459 48.2% 8.74%

By Denial 35,920 33.2% 41,390 39.2% 15.23% 45,883 41.3% 10.86%

Denied After Accepting with TNCP 8,760 8.1% 7,770 7.4% -11.30% 7,576 6.8% -2.50%

4477

Office of Adjudication

4499

Meessagee froom David A. CicolaDireectoor, Officee oof Adjudicatioon

The 2002/03 fiscal year was an important year for improvements in theadjudication of workers' compensation cases.

First of all, the revised Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedurewere adopted to clarify and provide detailed guidance for the litigation ofmatters before judges and the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board.These are the first changes since the rules were last comprehensivelyreviewed in 1991.

Second, the Office of Adjudication succeeded in once again reducing thestatewide average time to hear and decide workers' compensation cases(8.8 months, down from 9.3 months just last year). Additionally, workers'compensation judges continued to decide more petitions than theyreceived in new assignments. As a result, at the end of the 2002/03 fiscalyear, more than 1,000 fewer petitions were pending than had been theyear before.

Third, we continued to tap the Internet to provide additionalconveniences for our customers. This past fiscal year saw the introductionof "Petition To" form submission via the web, as well as theimplementation of an online repository of litigation procedures beforeworkers' compensation judges. As we go to press, submission of the ClaimPetition on the web is now possible.

In summary, the Office of Adjudication strides confidently into the futurewith its goals of further improvement, continued innovation, andsuperior service to Pennsylvania's workers' compensation community.

Sincerely,

David A. Cicola, DirectorOffice of Adjudication


The Office of Adjudication isresponsible for administering theprocess for the adjudication of dis-puted workers' compensation mat-ters. The Director of Adjudicationoversees 87 workers' compensationjudges, 3 judge managers, and 24field offices. The workers' compen-sation judges conduct hearings indisputed matters and render rea-soned decisions in a timely manner.Many judges provide alternativedispute resolution services in con-tested matters.AAccccoommpplliisshhmmeennttss::22000022//0033 FFiissccaall YYeeaarr

1. Reduced the statewide averagetime to hear and decide work-ers' compensation cases to 8.8months, down from 9.3 monthsin 2002, 9.8 months in 1999and 11.5 months in 1998.

2. Judges decided more petitionsthan they received in newassignments. Judges received52,053 new petition assign-ments and rendered decisionson 53,029 petitions, reducingthe number of pending peti-tions from 37,985 at the end ofthe 2001/02 fiscal year to36,807 at the end of the2002/03 fiscal year.

3. Ended the fiscal year withfewer than 100 petitions closed

for more than 90 days prior todecision.

4. Continued to advertise thejudges' availability for alterna-tive dispute resolution throughthe Bureau's newsletter, speak-ing engagements, the Bureau'swebsite and in meetings withbar associations and otherstakeholders.

5. Enacted amendments to theSpecial Rules of AdministrativePractice and Procedure beforeWorkers' Compensation Judges.

6. Initiated a "Resolution Count"at the Spring Garden office toexpedite settlements in theSoutheastern District.

7. Developed and conducted the2002 workers' compensationjudges' conference. This con-ference provided continuingeducation hours required bythe Act.

8. Conducted a statewide trainingconference for field officesupervisors.

9. Activated the online "PetitionTo", which permits electronicfiling through the Depart-ment's website.

10. Placed workers' compensationjudges' procedural summaries(the "Judgebook") onto theDepartment's website.

11. Assumed responsibility (throughthe Uniontown office) for man-agement of the CIMS Law FirmDatabase, requiring verifica-tion and correction of over 400attorney and law firm addresses.

12. Coordinated the scheduling ofinformation technology upgradesfor all field offices.

13. Activated online manuals anddatabases for training and soft-ware enhancement.

14. Presented demonstrations ofdatabase and training pro-grams at the Innovation Expo2002.

15. Obtained the Department'srecognition of safety commit-tees in the Johnstown andWestern District offices.

16. Completed safety renovationsin a number of field offices.

17. Completed all online positiondescriptions and training of keypersonnel required forImaginePA.

18. Converted the Adjudicationdecision database from Word-Pro to Microsoft Word.

19. Completed Microsoft Wordtraining for all clerical staff.

20. Appointed Workers' Compen-sation Judges to serve in theAllentown and Reading offices.

5500

Office of Adjudication Overview

21. Filled several key administra-tive and supervisory positions.

22. Obtained new remote hearingsites in several counties.


1. Continue to decide cases within90 days of the due date casesare concluded and ready for adecision.

2. Further reduce the averagelength of time to adjudicatecases statewide.

3. Continue to enhance the pro-fessional caliber of the judgecorps through continuing legaleducation credits and judges'meetings/conferences.

4. Provide additional mediationtraining opportunities tojudges who are providing alter-native dispute resolution to theparties.

5. Reduce the number of peti-tions in litigation for longerthan 18 months.

6. Train judges and support staffin Imagine PA. Provide more

detailed training in Microsoftapplications.

7. Open the Reading field office.8. Obtain Departmental recogni-

tion of additional field officesafety committees.

9. Provide refresher training incase management software toall clerical workers.

10. Compile and reorganize man-agement and supervisory datato a central online location.

5511

Clockwise from left: Judge Managers Susan Caravaggio, Persifor Oliver, andThomas Hines.

The parties may settle matters indispute under the PennsylvaniaWorkers' Compensation Act byentering into a Compromise andRelease Agreement. The agreementmust contain detailed informationabout the settlement. Form

LIBC-755 provides a format forthese agreements.A workers' compensation judgemust conduct a hearing and circu-late a written decision before theagreement can be effective. Thejudge may not approve the agree-

The Office of Adjudication ispleased to offer mediation servicesto parties who wish to amicablyresolve disputes under the Work-ers’ Compensation Act. Under thissystem, the decision is placed inthe hands of the parties, ratherthan the judge, through a processof self-determination to reach anamicable agreement. The media-tor's role is to facilitate the parties'discussion, provide guidance

through the mediation process inidentifying each party's interests,and to assist the parties in deter-mining creative solutions for possi-ble settlements.Parties retain control over the out-come and decide who will mediatetheir case. There is no cost if work-ers' compensation judges areselected as mediators. Otherpotential benefits of this systeminclude:

! Informal sessions! Open communication

between the parties! Expedition of the claims

process! Limited attorney

involvementParticipation in mediation isoptional. Judges currently offeringmediation services are listed on thenext page.

5522

Office of Adjudication UpdatesCompromise and Release Agreements

Mediation Services

ment unless the injured workerunderstands its full legal signifi-cance. During fiscal year 2002/03,workers' compensation judgesapproved 13,150 Compromise andRelease Agreements resulting inpayments to injured workerstotaling $607,899,144.41.

5533

CCeennttrraall DDiissttrriicctt

EEaasstteerrnn DDiissttrriicctt

AAllttoooonnaaRobert Vonada

BBrrooookkvviillllee Geoffrey Seacrist

CClleeaarrffiieellddMichael Koll

JJoohhnnssttoowwnnDavid CicolaCharles Getty

WWiilllliiaammssppoorrttKenneth Walsh

AAlllleennttoowwnnGeoffrey DlinBruce Doman

HHaazzlleettoonnWayne Rapkin

LLaannccaasstteerrRobert Benischeck

Kathleen DiLorenzoMichael Hetrick

Christina Tarantelli

SSccrraannttoonnJoseph GradyWilliam Hall

WWiillkkeess-BBaarrrreeJoseph Sebastianelli

GGrreeeennssbbuurrggIrving BloomAda Guyton

HHaarrrriissbbuurrggKarl Peckmann

MMaallvveerrnnMartin BurmanJoseph Hakun

John LiddySeymour Nathanson

PPoottttssvviilllleePaul Baker

James Stapleton

Workers' Compensation Judges Who Mediate

WWeesstteerrnn DDiissttrriicctt

AAlliiqquuiippppaaSusan Cercone

EErriieeCarmen Lugo

Edward PastewkaAlbert Wehan

NNeeww CCaassttlleeAlfred Benedict

Perry JonesRobert Steiner

PPiittttssbbuurrgghhPamela Briston

David HenryCheryl Ignasiak

Eric JonesPersifor Oliver

Linda TobinDavid Torrey

Kathleen Vallely

UUnniioonnttoowwnnAnne Coholan

William LowmanWWaasshhiinnggttoonn

Paul CostelnockCharles Lawton

5544

SSoouutthheeaasstteerrnn DDiissttrriicctt

BBrriissttoollMichael Rosen

NNEE PPhhiillaaddeellpphhiiaaAida Harris

Denise KrassDavid Slom

Michael Snyder

UUppppeerr DDaarrbbyyJoseph Stokes

AAttttoorrnneeyy EExxaammiinneerr MMeeddiiaattoorrMary Catherine Baur

SSpprriinngg GGaarrddeennJoseph HaganMarc Harrison

Francine LincicomeDonald PoormanPamela SantoroRobert Simmons

Workers' Compensation Judges Who Mediate (Continued)

5555

Office ofAdjudication Director

David A. Cicola(717) 783-5421

Central DistrictJudge Manager

Vacant

Eastern DistrictJudge Manager

Susan Caravaggio(570) 621-3146

Southeastern DistrictJudge Manager

Thomas J. Hines(215) 560-2488

Western DistrictJudge Manager

Persifor Oliver, Jr.(412) 565-5277

Office of Adjudication Personnel

Department of Laborand Industry SecretaryStephen M. Schmerin

Compensationand Insurance

Deputy SecretaryElizabeth Crum

Labor and IndustryChief Counsel

Roger H. Caffier

Deputy Chief CounselThomas J. Kuzma

(717) 783-4467

Office of Adjudication Organization Chart

5566

Office of Adjudication District Offices*

WESTERN DISTRICTALIQUIPPA***Sheffield Professional Building2020 Main Street Aliquippa, PA 15001(724) 378-1863

ERIE3400 Lovell Place13th and Holland StreetsErie, PA 16503(814) 871-4632

NEW CASTLE101 South Mercer StreetNew Castle, PA 16101(724) 656-3084

PITTSBURGH933 Penn Avenue, Suite 300Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3817(412) 565-5277

UNIONTOWN253 South Mt. Vernon AvenueUniontown, PA 15401(724) 439-7420

BUREAU HEADQUARTERSRoom 3241171 South Cameron StreetHarrisburg, PA 17104-2501(717) 783-5421

ALTOONA615 Howard AvenueSuite 202Altoona, PA 16601(814) 946-7355

BROOKVILLE395 Main StreetBrookville, PA 15825(814) 849-5382

CLEARFIELD306 East Locust StreetClearfield, PA 16830-2415(814) 765-6398

GREENSBURG115 West Otterman StreetGreensburg, PA 15601(724) 832-5310

CENTRAL DISTRICT

HARRISBURGEast Gate Center1010 North 7th Street, Room 319Harrisburg, PA 17102-1400(717) 783-4419

JOHNSTOWN607 Main Street, Suite 100Johnstown, PA 15901(814) 533-2494

WILLIAMSPORTSuite 202208 West 3rd Street, RearWilliamsport, PA 17701(570) 327-3735

WASHINGTONMillcraft Center90 West Chestnut StreetWashington, PA 15301(724) 223-4595

5577

Office of Adjudication District Offices*

EASTERN DISTRICTALLENTOWN160 Hamilton StreetSuite 200Allentown, PA 18101(610) 821-6554 &(610) 821-6535

HAZLETON29th Street Office ComplexBuilding A, Suite 2031201 North Church StreetHazleton, PA 18202(570) 459-3840

LANCASTER**315 West James Street, Suite 206Lancaster, PA 17603(717) 299-7591

MALVERN72 Lancaster Avenue, 2nd FloorMalvern, PA 19355(610) 251-2878

POTTSVILLE112 South Claude A. Lord Blvd.Pottsville, PA 17901(570) 621-3146

SCRANTON400 Spruce StreetSuite 500Scranton, PA 18503(570) 963-4580

WILKES-BARRE101-105 N. Main St.Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701(570) 826-2577

SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICTBRISTOL1284 New Rodgers Road, Box 802Bristol, PA 19007(215) 781-3274

PHILADELPHIAState Office Building1400 Spring Garden StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19130(215) 560-2488

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIAGrant Plaza Business Park2901 Grant Avenue, Suite 900Philadelphia, PA 19114(215) 560-2182

UPPER DARBYBarclay Square Center, 2nd Floor1500 Garrett RoadUpper Darby, PA 19082(610) 284-6913

* See telephone directory on Page 79 for names, telephonenumbers and office locations of workers’ compensation judges.

** address change*** phone number change

5588

Office of AdjudicationStatistical Review

PPeettiittiioonnss AAssssiiggnneedd ttoo JJuuddggeess ((NNoott RReemmaannddss))Fiscal Years 1999/00 through 2002/03

TTyyppee ooff PPeettiittiioonn 11999999//0000 22000000//0011 22000011//0022 22000022//0033 22000011//0022 ttoo 22000022//0033

+/- %

Claim 11,482 11,344 11,314 11,304 -10 -0.09%

Supersedeas Fund 214 151 85 79 -6 -7.05%

Reinstatement 2,914 2,778 2,917 2,762 -155 -5.31%

Suspension 6,147 5,698 5,806 5,138 -668 -11.50%

Termination 4,564 4,038 4,348 4,194 -154 -3.54%

Penalty 5,618 5,559 5,896 6,195 +299 +5.07%

Review 3,182 3,210 3,588 3,575 -13 -0.36%

Review Medical 1,232 1,081 1,073 1,068 -5 -0.46%

Fatal 147 127 134 151 +17 +12.68%

Commutation 29 24 15 20 +5 +33.33%

Modification 4,198 3,753 3,646 3,230 -416 -11.41%

Set Aside Final 97 71 79 72 -7 -8.86%

Claim 301(i) 87 118 48 59 +11 +22.91%

OD Fatal 13 14 11 8 -3 -27.27%

WC/OD Fatal Spec. 5 3 6 8 +2 +33.33%

Claim 301(g) 0 0 0 0 0 0%

Subsequent Injury 0 0 0 0 0 0%

Utilization Review 2,185 1,745 1,658 1,817 +159 +9.59%

Joinder 644 600 644 594 -50 -7.76%

Physical Exam 1,938 1,892 1,990 2,164 +173 +8.69%

Challenge 1,231 1,042 1,044 927 -117 -11.21%

Comp/Release 6,175 6,114 5,605 5,763 +158 +2.82%

Special Term 1,017 1,597 1,537 1,570 +33 +2.15%

Expert Interview 168 208 249 597 +348 +139.76%

Total 53,287 51,167 51,693 51,294 -399 -00.77%


5599

PPeettiittiioonnss aanndd RReemmaannddss AAssssiiggnneedd vvss.. JJuuddggeess’’ DDeecciissiioonnssFiscal Years 1994/95-22002/03

1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03

75,000

70,000

65,000

60,000

55,000

50,000

45,000

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

0

Actual

52,46

453

,882

52,54

853

,445

67,42

961

,638

65,25

963

,995

59,54

2

58,92

568

,471

61,78

167

,010

55,17

254

,717

67,82

9

Fiscal Year


! Petitions and Remands Assigned

! Judges Decisions

52,05

353

,029

6600

11999944//9955 11999955//9966 11999966//9977 11999977//9988 11999988//9999 11999999//0000 22000000//0011 22000011//0022 22000022//0033

FFiissccaall YYeeaarr

RReeppoorrttaabbllee IInnjjuurriieess** vvss.. TToottaall PPeettiittiioonnssaanndd RReemmaannddss vvss.. TToottaall CCllaaiimm PPeettiittiioonnss****

1994/95-22002/03

*Missed more than one day, shift or turn of work due to injury.**Claim petitions include claim, reinstatement, fatal, set aside final receipt, 301(i), and od fatal.

117755,,000000

115500,,000000

112255,,000000

110000,,000000

7755,,000000

5500,,000000

2255,,000000

00


! RReeppoorrttaabbllee IInnjjuurriieess! TToottaall PPeettiittiioonnss aanndd RReemmaannddss! TToottaall CCllaaiimm PPeettiittiioonnss

81,33

855

,172

14,74

5

14,45

552

,464

52,54

814

,509

82,81

3

94,21

5

98,04

2

123,8

84

111,4

1265

,259

16,47

3

94,08

159

,542

87,33

9

83,76

961

,781

15,26

7

58,92

513

,308

14,04

2

67,42

917

,925

52,05

314

,356

AAccttuuaall

Governor’s Award for Safety Excellence

6611

6633

Governor’s Award For Safety Excellence

Providing a safe work environmentfor Pennsylvania's workers requirescomplete commitment by employ-ers and employees. For this reason,Governor Rendell's safety initiativewill provide Pennsylvania employ-ers and employees with the infor-mation and technical assistanceneeded to develop comprehensivesafety practices in the workplace.It will also recognize the successfulemployer-employee joint safetyprograms, which result in theachievement of safety excellence.The Governor's Award for SafetyExcellence is a competitive awardas evidenced by 2003's record highnumber of nominations received.The information gained from thesenominations provides valuable bestpractices that are shared across thestate.Any Pennsylvania employer is eligi-ble for the Governor's Award forSafety Excellence; nominations forthe award are voluntary. Inform-ation and criteria used to deter-mine finalists include an estab-

lished joint safety committee withparticipation from employer andemployees; a comprehensive safetyplan with a commitment ofresources and training; trendsexperienced in workplace injur-ies/illnesses over the past fiveyears; number, frequency andseverity of workplace injuries/ill-nesses vs. industry standards; andinnovation and strategic develop-ment of safety policy and ap-proaches.Initial review of all nominations isconducted by the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence Semi-FinalistReview Committee. If approved byLabor and Industry Departmentofficials, the semi-finalists are con-tacted for an on-site visit. Site vis-its are conducted by a member(s)of the Department's safety team forreview of the nominee's compre-hensive safety program. Site visitreports are written and distributedto the Governor's Award for SafetyExcellence Review Committee forthe determination of finalists.Recommendations are then for-

warded to the Secretary of Laborand Industry who makes the finaldetermination.A special luncheon at the annualGovernor's Occupational Safetyand Health Conference is the stagefor announcement of the awardwinners.For a copy of the award application,visit the PA PowerPort:www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword:"Work Safe PA."

American Infra-structure, located inMalvern, ChesterCounty, is involved in

heavy civil construction, includinghighway, bridge and wastewatertreatment plants, site development,quarries, and asphalt and concreteproduction, transportation, andpaving.The company is a large organizationand is growing – safely. Its 925employees set standards throughcommitment to their safety pro-gram. American Infrastructure pro-motes the philosophy that accidents

6644

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall AAssssoocciiaattiioonn ooff MMaacchhiinniissttss ((IIAAMM)) LLooccaall 991177

Air Products andChemicals, Inc.(APCI), is an inter-national supplier of

industrial gases (namely, nitrogen,oxygen, hydrogen, argon, and heli-um), related equipment, and spe-cialty and intermediate chemicals.The company employs over 18,000people worldwide located in over 30countries. Approximately 4,300employees work in Pennsylvania–aportion of whom are represented bythe International Association ofMachinists (IAM), Local 917. APCIemployees are focused on providinga safe working environment.APCI world headquarters is locatedin Allentown, Lehigh County, on a375-acre complex where adminis-

tration, research and developmentand product manufacturing areconducted in 18 manufacturingplants.APCI's overall safety philosophy issummed up in the statement,"Nothing is more important thansafety – not production, not sales,not profits." With the many featuresof their safety program, one standsout. APCI has a safety helpline,which is staffed 24 hours a day,seven days a week by individualswho are available to provide help toemployees of its worldwide facili-ties. Translators are used as neces-sary.In a competitive global marketplaceand a competitive global electronics

industry, APCI has demonstratedthat they are ready to compete – safely.In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, Air Productsand Chemicals has reduced itsrecordable injury rate by 65% andits lost-time injury rate by 38%since 1998. The 2001 lost-timeinjury rate of 0.18 translates into 29lost-time injuries for 18,000employees. In July 2002, for thefourth consecutive year, AirProducts and Chemicals, Inc.,achieved the best safety record inthe category of total recordablesamong large-scale chemical manu-facturers in the U.S. according tothe American Chemistry Council.

are not acceptable on any companyowned property or job site.The workplace safety programencompasses a number of initia-tives, some of which have been inplace for the past 12 years. The pro-gram also features a vehicle safetyprogram, where all drivers of com-pany vehicles participate in a defen-sive driver course, and an in-houserigging competent person course.The goal for this initiative is to uti-lize outside training resources tocertify all pipe field managers andlead employees on their crews. It isdesigned to ensure a level of compe-

tence and education on each of thepipe crews.American Infrastructure was re-cently recognized as one of the "100Best Places to Work in Pennsylva-nia."In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, AmericanInfrastructure's recordable acci-dents have dropped from 64 in 1997to 27 in 2001. Additionally, the costper man-hour rate has decreasedfrom $0.37 per man-hour in 1997 to$0.12 per man-hour in 2001.

American Infrastructure

6655

Cabot PerformanceMaterials, located inBoyertown, BerksCounty, manufac-

tures several products used in elec-tronics. The company and its 507workers at the site, a portion ofwhom belong to the InternationalChemical Workers' Union, Locals619C and 959, take workplace safe-ty very seriously. The companyexpects to have all employees leavethe facility in the same conditionthey arrived. That is very impor-tant considering the materials thatemployees work with.Tantalum powder and wire areused to make high reliabilitycapacitors for cellular phones,computers, and numerous otherelectronic devices. Niobium andbarium titanate products are usedin the production of high perform-ance capacitors. This is highly dan-gerous work given the productsused in the manufacturing process.Cabot claims to be, for example,the largest user of hydrofluoricacid in North America. A solid focuson safety has developed into a safe-ty culture that is of paramountimportance given the dangerousmaterials employees work withevery day.Cabot's safety program covers allbases and includes the following:industrial hygiene program;

process safety management pro-gram; hearing conservation pro-gram; asbestos program; respiratorprogram; confined space program;hot work procedure; contractorsafe work permit procedure; linebreak procedure; electrical safework practices procedure; fall pro-tection procedure; ladder safetyprocedure; TSCA ComplianceProgram; lock, tag, and try proce-

dure; hazard communication pro-gram; powered industrial truckprogram; emergency responseplan; blood-borne pathogen pro-gram; incident investigation proce-dure; contractor safety program; aswell as a comprehensive safety,health and environmental trainingprogram for all employees, con-tractors and visitors.Cabot wants to be the "preferredsupplier" and the "preferredemployer" and views safety as thekey ingredient in achieving thesegoals.In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, Cabot'srecordable injuries have beenreduced by over 80% from 1998through August 2002. From 1999-2001, the company also experi-enced a 33% reduction in workers'compensation claims for a savingsof approximately $250,000.

Cabot Performance MaterialsIInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall CChheemmiiccaall WWoorrkkeerrss’’ UUnniioonn LLooccaallss 661199CC aanndd 995599

At Emporium Hard-woods, Inc., safety ispart of everyone'sjob. Located in

Emporium, Cameron County,Emporium Hardwoods, Inc., is alumber mill owned by Connecticut-based Rossi American Hardwoodand employs 104 workers.In 1998 the company's first safetycommittee, representing all de-partments, was formed. Since then,the committee has worked toimplement various safety pro-grams. Upgrading the facility; con-

ducting plant inspections; improv-ing employee communication; in-creasing management involvement;and providing safety related train-ing are just a few of the areas whereEmporium Hardwoods has raisedthe bar in achieving safety excel-lence, in effect reducing the num-ber of workplace injuries, whilereducing workers' compensationclaims at the same time.The major factors contributing tothe success of Emporium Hard-woods' safety program includeimproved employee communica-

tion, management involvement,safety related education, and as-serting the philosophy that "safetyis part of everyone's job."In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, EmporiumHardwoods’ lost workday rate hasdecreased from 40 in 1998 to 7 in2001. In addition, since the incep-tion of its safety committee, thecompany's workers' compensationcosts have decreased by $50,000with an additional $6,000 saveddue to the certified safety commit-tee savings.

6666

Emporium Hardwoods, Inc.

HealthSouth Re-habilitation Hos-pital of Altoona,Blair County, is a

70-bed licensed rehabilitation hos-pital that is dedicated and commit-ted to the care of patients duringthe rehabilitation phase of theirhealthcare on both an inpatientand outpatient basis. The hospi-tal's 350 employees provide physi-cal therapy, occupational therapy,speech therapy, therapeutic recre-ation services, nursing services,and psychological services, in sup-port of HealthSouth's mission to"Get People Back to Work, to Play,and to Life."HealthSouth Corporation is locatedin Birmingham, Alabama, and was

established in 1984. HealthSouthclaims to be the largest provider ofoutpatient surgery and rehabilita-tive healthcare services with over1,900 facilities located in all 50states as well as Australia, theUnited Kingdom, and Puerto Rico.HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hos-pital of Altoona was recently sur-veyed by the Joint Commission forthe Accreditation of HealthcareOrganizations and received a 96percent on the survey. Most impor-tantly, HealthSouth RehabilitationHospital has had zero lost workdaysfor the past five years. This accom-plishment is credited to therevamped in-service program andthe hospital's proactive approachtaken with all injuries. The safety

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitalcommittee meets monthly toreview and discuss all safety pro-grams, accidents and illness pro-grams, develop new policies andprocedures, and determine theneed for new safety equipment.In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, HealthSouthRehabilitation Hospital of Altoonahas had zero lost workdays for thepast five years. This accomplish-ment is credited to the revampedin-service program and the hospi-tal's proactive approach taken withany and all injuries.

J.E. Morgan KnittingMills, Inc., and itsworkers are respon-sible for the textile

manufacturing of knitted and insu-lated fabrics, from raw yarn,through bleaching, dyeing, cutting,packaging, shipping, and some fin-ishing and sewing. In 1997, J.E.Morgan Knitting Mills, located inTamaqua, Schuylkill County, be-came a division of the Sara LeeCorporation. It is a supplier formajor retailers such as Wal-Mart,K-Mart, and J.C. Penney.

For J.E. Morgan workers, safety is away of life. The company's safetyprogram encompasses a broadspectrum of safety initiatives.Among them are: mandatory safetytraining for all employees andmandatory 16-hour forklift train-ing and certification. J.E. Morganhas also made significant invest-ments in the Tamaqua facility byinstalling new weaving machines,which allows for much easier andsafer yarn changes. New dyeing ves-sels were also installed that auto-

matically mix dyes preventingsplashes.The attitude expressed at J.E.Morgan Knitting Mills is that theyare far from being satisfied withwhat has been achieved thus far.In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, OSHA re-cordables have gone from 194 in1995 to 31 for 2001. During thesame time period, lost workdayinjuries declined from 96 to 3 andactual lost workdays were reducedfrom 985 to 131.

6677

J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Inc.

J.J. White, Inc.,maintains its corpo-rate office in Phil-adelphia and aver-

ages 25 construction projects oper-ating in and around thePhiladelphia area, and theDelaware, New Jersey, andPennsylvania tri-state area on ayearly basis. The company's opera-tions revolve around three areas ofcontracting including general con-tracting, mechanical contractingand heating, ventilating, and airconditioning (HVAC) contracting.

J.J. White's safety initiative hasbeen continually enhanced since itbegan in 1992. One of thoseenhancements was the implemen-tation of "C-Change." C-Changestands for "Change the corporateculture, challenge past practices,and certify our results." The C-Change philosophy, zero tolerancefor injuries, accidents, and nearmiss situations, has certainlyworked for J.J. White, Inc. Thecompany has experienced a 50 per-cent drop in the overallOccupational Safety and Health

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Administration's (OSHA) record-able rate and recordable lost timerate.

In receiving the Governor's AwardFor Safety Excellence, J.J. White,Inc., has achieved a reduction in itsexperience modification rating.Experience modification ratingmeans that if the number is high, ahigh lost rate exists. If the numberis low, then this shows that thenumber of lost rates has decreased.J.J. White, Inc.'s experience modi-fication rate dropped from 2.112 in1992 to 0.677 in 2002.

Anyone who hasworked in this in-dustry knows therailroad is a hard,

demanding, and in some casesunforgiving environment with greatpotential for hazards.

Marta Track Constructors, Inc.,located in historic Eighty-Four,Washington County, and its 250employees construct new, andrehabilitate existing, railroad lines.The company has been involved inall phases of the railroad construc-tion industry for the past 25 years.Construction projects may occur inany of the 50 states. Each projectmay involve between 10 and 250employees.

Recent projects include a range ofrailroad and transit system proj-ects. Among them were the $75million Chicago to Cleveland dou-ble track project for CSXT, and inPennsylvania, the Crum CreekBridge Timber Renewal in Media,Chester County.

Safety is, and always has been, thekey priority for the Marta Trackteam and is one of its five criticalcompany values. Marta Trackshares a philosophy of "maximumsafe work environment" through-out its organization. Prior to anyrailroad project, a pre-projectsafety hazard analysis is conducted.During the course of the workday, aworker may be assigned 10 differ-

ent jobs. That worker would thenreceive 10 different job safetybriefings that day.

Owners, contractors, subcontrac-tors, middle management, andemployees of Marta Track are com-mitted to zero injuries.

In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, Marta Track,prior to any project, conducts a"pre-project" safety hazard analy-sis, and a worker's observer systemis in place to ensure that employ-ees identify and solve unsafe work-able situations or conditions. MartaTrack Constructors’ commitmentto workplace safety is best exem-plified in the company's experiencemodification rate of .893.

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Marta Track Constructors, Inc.

The McClure Com-pany, one of thelargest companies ofits type in Central

Pennsylvania, is involved in theengineering, construction, andmaintenance of heating, ventilat-ing, and air conditioning systems,as well as industrial process pipingsystems and plumbing services.

McClure, and its 411 workers, aportion of whom are representedby the Plumbers and Pipefitters

Local 520, are located inHarrisburg, Dauphin County. Theyhave a very comprehensive safetyprogram that includes new em-ployee orientation.

Here are just a few examples ofsafety programs that McClure hasimplemented: a certified safetycommittee, safety manual, safetyaudits, incentive programs, OSHA10-hour training, first-aid andCPR training, forklift training,mandatory drug testing, lock-

out/tagout program, blood-bornepathogens training, as well as asafety newsletter.

In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, McClureCompany achieved an experiencemodification rate of .312 in 2001,decreasing from .391 in 2000. Ithas worked one million hours with-out a lost time accident.

McClure CompanyPPlluummbbeerrss aanndd PPiippeeffiitttteerrss LLooccaall 552200

6699

The NorthernAllegheny SchoolDistrict, located inPittsburgh, Allegheny

County, consists of seven elementaryschools, three middle schools, oneintermediate high school, and onehigh school. The school district hasapproximately 1,254 employees, aportion of whom are represented bythe North Allegheny Federation ofTeachers Professional Union,American Federation of State,County, and Municipal Employees(AFSCME) District Council 84 Local1551, North Allegheny School BusDrivers Association, and the NorthAllegheny Federation of Teachers

Para Professional Union. It is theseventh-largest school district inPennsylvania.The school district's safety commit-tee, in place since 1992, conductsaccident analysis, recommendsappropriate safety policies and pro-cedures, conducts physical inspec-tions, and reviews reports of all lost-time and near-miss accidents.At Northern Allegheny SchoolDistrict, safety is the major concern.The school district concentrates onthe health and safety of all employ-ees. For example, NorthernAllegheny installed security camerasand an identification card entry sys-

tem at its intermediate school. CPRkits were purchased for use in allseven elementary school play-grounds. Active employee participa-tion is created by open communica-tion between employees and man-agement.In receiving the Governor's Award forSafety Excellence, NorthernAllegheny School District's safety andhealth program resulted in $133,544in savings in insurance premiums.This savings has enabled the schooldistrict to apply these additionalfunds to programs that benefit bothemployees and students.

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aanndd MMuunniicciippaall EEmmppllooyyeeeess ((AAFFSSCCMMEE)) DDiissttrriicctt CCoouunncciill 8844 LLooccaall 11555511,, NNoorrtthh AAlllleegghheennyy SScchhooooll BBuussDDrriivveerrss AAssssoocciiaattiioonn,, NNoorrtthh AAlllleegghheennyy FFeeddeerraattiioonn ooff TTeeaacchheerrss PPaarraa PPrrooffeessssiioonnaall UUnniioonn

The Novinger Groupconsists of NovingerInc. and Kelly Sys-tems, and is a large

interior/exterior wall systems, ceil-ings, and flooring contractor locatedin Harrisburg, Dauphin County.Novinger's 337 workers, a portion ofwhom are represented by theLaborers District Council of EasternPennsylvania Local 1180, CementMasons and Plasterers Local 94,International Union Painters andAllied Trades Finishers Local 411,

and the United Brotherhood ofCarpenters and Joiners of AmericaLocal 287, are constantly learningand improving when it comes to safe-ty. The company has a comprehen-sive safety program that includes:new employee orientation, a safetycommittee, safety manual, safetyaudits, incentive programs, OSHA10-hour training, first-aid and CPRtraining, a safety newsletter, forklifttraining, and defensive driver train-ing for all vehicle operators. Novingeruses a safety award program to rec-

ognize and encourage safe workpractices and to reduce the numberof accidents incurred by workerseach year.In receiving the Governor's Award forSafety Excellence, Novinger Groupachieved an experience modificationrate of .497 in 2001, decreasing from1.6 in 1998. Additionally, the compa-ny's workers' compensation premi-ums have decreased by $400,000over the past five years.

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7700

With the demandsfor the consumptionof energy rising,safety is a top prior-

ity with PECO Energy Company.

PECO Energy Company, a sub-sidiary of Exelon Corporation, andits 2,800 employees provide elec-tric and natural gas service insoutheastern Pennsylvania. PECOEnergy and Unicom, of Chicago,Illinois, merged to create theExelon Corporation, one of thenation's largest electric utilities,with an electric and natural gasdistribution customer base of

approximately five million. PECO'sservice territory for electricity is1,972 square miles, and its naturalgas service territory covers 1,475square miles.

At PECO, safety is not only aresponsibility and priority for itsemployees, it's a way of life. Thecompany has 10 executive safetycommittees, a public safety com-mittee and a team level safety com-mittee. Each month these groupshold a total of 90 to 95 safety com-mittee meetings. These commit-tees look at issues such as replacingthe employee clothing line with a

new fire-resistant one (shirts,pants, socks, underwear, etc.), anddeveloping a library of safetyvideos incorporating PECO workersand the worker's family.

In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, PECO Energyhas reduced its lost workdays from221 in 1991 to 21 in 2001. PECOEnergy's OSHA reportables havebeen reduced from 300 in 1991 to41 in 2001. Additionally, PECO'sworkers' compensation claims havebeen reduced from $1,000 to $176over the last 10 years.

PECO Energy Company

PolyOne EngineeredFilms, located inLebanon, LebanonCounty, is a produc-

er of unsupported PVC VinylSheeting used to produce productssuch as padded toilet seats, note-books, flooring, and pool liners.

PolyOne and its 85 employees havea comprehensive safety programthat includes new employee orien-tation, a certified safety commit-

tee, a safety manual, safety audits,incentive programs, OSHA 10-hourtraining, first-aid and CPR train-ing, a safety newsletter, forklifttraining, weekly supervisor's safetyinspections, fire suppressioninspections, lockout/tagout, blood-borne pathogens training, as wellas a safety alert memo system.

The company's environmentallyfriendly approach to business wonit the 1997 Governor's Award for

Environmental Excellence. Poly-One has also been recognized asone of the Top "100 Places to Workin Pennsylvania."

In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, PolyOneEngineered Films has worked 1,537days without a lost time accident.

PolyOne Engineered Films

Premier CustomBuilt Cabinetry, lo-cated in New Hol-land, Lancaster

County, is a manufacturer of cus-tom kitchen and bath cabinetryand other furniture items. Its 58employees begin the manufactur-ing process with a raw wood prod-uct and end it with finished cabi-netry ready for delivery and instal-lation.

The work at Premier involves high-ly skilled craftspersons who per-form complex woodturning, bend-ing, design, execution, distressing,staining, and finishing functions.Exotic and rare woods and veneersare used in the intricate produc-tion of the end product. Customcolors and finishes are mixed at the

site. Some of the equipment usedincludes: lathes, sanders/saws of allsizes and types, shapers, planers,routers, presses, liquid mixers, etc.

Premier Custom Built Cabinetry'ssafety program consists of a weeklysafety discussion at the production

meeting with all employees, andunannounced safety inspectionsconducted by the safety consultantat least once per month. Theinspections include a general sitesurvey, but each also has a specificsafety focus which varies frommonth to month, such as electrical,lockout/tagout, guard usage, etc.The safety program focuses on newemployee training in proper use ofequipment, and all new employeesremain under constant supervisionuntil they can demonstrate propertechnique.

In receiving the Governor's Awardfor Safety Excellence, PremierCustom Built Cabinetry, from itsfounding in 1991 to 2001, had eightOSHA recordable accidents andthree lost-time injuries.

7711

Premier Custom Built Cabinetry, Inc.

Services, Saint Vincent FamilyMedicine Center, Saint VincentFamily Medicine Internal Medicine,Saint Vincent Infectious Diseases,Saint Vincent Neuro Surgery, SaintVincent Fast Track, Saint VincentNeonatal Services, and Saint VincentRehabilitation Service.Saint Vincent Health System and its2,141 workers have an impressivesafety program. Front-line manage-ment is held accountable for safety ineach department. The highest prior-ity of management staff is the promptinvestigation of accidents and theidentification of root causes in aneffort to prevent a recurrence. Forfurther reinforcement, these strate-gies were also added to each manag-

Saint Vincent HealthSystem, located inErie, Erie County, isan acute care hospi-

tal. The Saint Vincent MedicalGroup consists of 21 separate prac-tice/provider groups. These groupsinclude the Saint Vincent MedicalGroup, Albion Family Practice,Children's Health Care-West,Edinboro Medical Center, Children'sHealth Care-Main, East HarborPrimary Care, Elf Valley MedicalCenter, Liberty Family Practice,Titusville Internal Medicine, WestRidge Family Practice, Saint VincentEmergency Services, McClellandFamily Practice, Union City FamilyPractice, Saint Vincent Behavioral

er's job description. A quarterlyreport is prepared for each depart-ment, which details each trackingindicator as well as the actual cost ofinjuries for the year. This is a methodof tracking measurable statistics andsharing them with each departmentand its workers.In receiving the Governor's Award forSafety Excellence, Saint VincentHealth Center had 100 lost workdayswith an OSHA recordable rate of 9.1in 2001. Saint Vincent's workers'compensation costs dropped from$229,300 in 2000 to $49,700 in 2001.Additionally, Saint Vincent has expe-rienced a savings of over $112,200 intotal dollars saved in overall costbetween 2000 and 2001.

7722

Saint Vincent Health System

Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health ConferenceThis two-day confer-ence brings togetherindividuals with spe-cial interest in the

field of workplace health and safety,to share ideas and to meet innovatorsin safety program design and tech-nology.Each fall, over 1,000 safety and healthcare professionals, business leaders,workers, educators and governmentleaders from across Pennsylvaniaattend the Governor's OccupationalSafety and Health Conference.Using labor-management coopera-tion, these professionals strive towardone common goal – to create a saferworkplace, a healthier workforce andto increase awareness of safety issues

in the workplace, the home andthroughout local communities.Featuring nationally known speakers,the conference highlights one-on-one interaction during two days ofworkshops. Many of the workshopsare created based on needs expressedby attendees at the previous year'sconference. In addition, workshopswith the most interest from attendeesare repeated in the second session ofthe day to ensure that all participantshave the opportunity to participate inthe workshops of interest to theirneeds.The Hershey Lodge and ConventionCenter, centrally located and nearmajor attractions including historicLancaster County, the battlefield at

Gettysburg and the HersheyChocolate Factory, has been home tothe conference for the past decade.The convention center was recentlyrenovated and enlarged, in part toprovide ample space for this annualconference.

Members:SStteepphheenn MM.. SScchhmmeerriinnSecretaryDepartment of Labor and Industry

CCaarrrriiee LLeeee BBooootthhExecutive Director, PA WorkplaceSafety Advisory BoardDepartment of Labor and Industry

EElliizzaabbeetthh CCrruummDeputy Secretary forCompensation and InsuranceDepartment of Labor and Industry

RRooccccoo DDiiPPiieettrrooFacilities SupervisorTechneglas, Inc.

DDoonnaalldd WW.. DDuunnlleevvyyDirector/ChairmanUnited Transportation Union

DDeennnniiss EEiicckkeerrVice President International Brotherhood ofElectrical Workers, Local 5

BBeerrnnaaddeettttee LL.. HHeecckkmmaannVice President Safety and Control LossAV International, Inc.

SStteevvee DD.. HHiigghhPresidentHigh Safety Consulting

RRoobbeerrtt LL.. HHoollmmaannPrincipal EngineerMerck & Co., Inc.

JJaacckk KKuuppcchhiinnsskkyyDirector, Bureau of Workers'CompensationDepartment of Labor and Industry

JJaayy LLaannttzzyyDirector, Office of Labor-Management CooperationDepartment of Labor and Industry

PPaattrriicckk VV.. LLaarrkkiinn,, EEssqquuiirreePresidentBrokerage Professionals, Inc.

7733

Worksafe PA Advisory Board

BBeettssyy LL.. LLoovveennsshheeiimmeerr,, CCIIHHExecutive Team LeaderCompliance ManagementInternational

DDeennnniiss LL.. MMaarrttiirreeVice President and RegionalManagerLaborers' International Union,Mid-Atlantic Region

RRoobbeerrtt MMccCCaallllDirector of SafetyMaster Builder's Association ofWestern PA

JJooyyccee AA.. MMccNNaasshhIntegrated Disability ManagementMedical Risk ManagerUnited States Steel Corporation

BBaarrbb MMooooddyyWorkperfect CoordinatorHealth South

EEddwwaarrdd NNeeiillssoonnDeputy Secretary for Safety &Labor Management RelationsDepartment of Labor and Industry

MMiissssiioonn:: The Pennsylvania Workplace Safety Advisory Board serves as a community forum to provide counsel anddirection to the Secretary of Labor and Industry in the review or formulation of safety-related policies, programs,and legislation for the Governor's initiative to make Pennsylvania a safer place to live and work.

LLeenn NNeegglleeyyChief, Health & Safety DivisionBureau of Workers' CompensationDepartment of Labor and Industry

MMiicchhaaeell JJ.. NNeeppttuunneeSenior Regional ManagerNational Safety Council

JJuuddiitthh AA.. RReesseenniicc,, RRNNProgram Manager NoviCare Rehabilitation

JJiimm SSuussiiccCommonwealth Safety CoordinatorOffice of Administration

NNiicckk TToouurrWorks ChairmanHealth & Safety Committee USSUS Steel Clairton

VViiccttoorr TTuuccccii,, MMDDPresidentThree Rivers Health & Safety, Inc.

JJooee VViirrssaacckk,, MMBBAA,, CCSSPPManager ConsultingSafety-Health & Environmental

TThhoommaass WWaarrddDirector, Bureau of PENNSAFEDepartment of Labor and Industry

RRooggeerr WWiilllliiaammssSHAPE - CoordinatorDepartment of Labor and Industry

BBeetthh WWiinntteerrss,, EEssqquuiirreeExecutive Director & GeneralCounselDrug Free Pennsylvania

7744

Worksafe PA Advisory Board (Continued)

More Information from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

OOnn tthhee WWeebb ((wwwwww..ssttaattee..ppaa..uuss,, PPAA KKeeyywwoorrdd:: ““wwoorrkkeerrss ccoommpp””))Check us out on the web where you’ll find more exciting and innovative workers’compensation features, including:

Employer’s Report Web SubmissionLog on at: www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “workers comp.” From here, click on "Online Services"(upper left-hand side of the page), then "Workers' Compensation Employer's Report of Injury."

This application allows users to file an Employer's Report of Occupational Injury or Disease viathe Internet. Approximately 8,000 paper reports are received by the Bureau monthly. Receivingthese reports electronically reduces the amount of paper that has to be processed by Bureaustaff, the number of data errors via online validation of the data entered by the employer, andmailing costs.

Wage Interest Calculations Log on at: www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "workers comp." From here, click on "Online Services"(upper left-hand side of the page), then “Wage Interest Calculations for Workers’ Compensation."

This form provides several possible, but not all-inclusive, methods of calculation for variouspayments and interest for use by insurers, employers, attorneys, third-party administrators,injured workers and other members of the workers' compensation community.

Workers’ Compensation Petition To:Log on at: www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "workers comp." From here, click on "Online Services"(upper left-hand side of the page), then “Workers’ Compensation Petition To:"

This application allows users to file a Petition To: form via the Internet.

Workers’ Compensation “Quick Links” Log on at: www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “workers comp.” Here you’ll find more information onsubjects such as: Workers’ Compensation Act, Medical Fee Schedule, Health and Safety, ClaimForms Completion Guide – Tip Sheets, Obtaining WC Hearing Transcripts, Alternate DisputeResolution, Kids’ Chance, Inc. of Pennsylvania, Bureau Publications, and more!

Workers’ Compensation SubpoenaLog on at: www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "workers comp." From here, click on "Online Services"(upper left-hand side of the page), then “Workers’ Compensation Subpoena."

This feature allows users to access the subpoena online, fill in the blanks, print the form, andmail it to a workers’ compensation judge along with a written request for the judge to issue thesubpoena.

PPuubblliiccaattiioonnss AAvvaaiillaabbllee ffrroomm tthhee BBuurreeaauu ooff WWoorrkkeerrss’’ CCoommppeennssaattiioonn::Employer Information! Employer’s Guide to Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Pennsylvania

Information on loss cost multipliers, classification codes, insurance fraud, safetycommittee incentive program, etc.

To obtain additionalcopies of theannual report or thepublications listed onPages 75 and 76,contact:

PennsylvaniaBureau of Workers’Compensation1171 SouthCameron St.Room 324Harrisburg, PA17104-2501

Telephone Number:(717) 783-5421

7755

7766


For other informationor questionsregarding thePA workers’compensationprogram, write to thebureau or call:

CLAIMSINFORMATION

SERVICES

Local calls and callsoutside PA:

(717) 772-4447

toll free inside PA:1-800-482-2383

TTY (Only people withhearing loss):

1-800-362-4228

EMPLOYERINFORMATION

SERVICES(717) 772-3702

CERTIFIED EMPLOYERNETWORK

For referrals toemployers who havevolunteered to provideassistance inestablishing workplacesafetycommittees, call:

(717) 772-1917

! Employer’s Guide to Self-Insuring Workers’ Compensation (LIBC-300)Information on how to self-insure your workers’ compensation coverage.

! Employer Information (LIBC-200)Includes key aspects of Workers’ Compensation Act which relate specifically to employers.

! Self-Insurance Regulations(PA Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 41, October 14, 1995)

! Claim Forms Completion Guide - Tip Sheets (LIBC-770)Samples of 30 Bureau forms along with instructions on their proper completion.

Injured Workers’ Information! Workers’ Compensation & the Injured Worker (LIBC-100)

General information on the rights and responsibilities of injured workers under the law.! Q & A’s about Funded Employment

General information on funded employment as it relates to workers’ compensation recipients.

Medical Cost Containment Information! Medical Cost Containment Regulations Reference

Workers’ compensation medical cost containment regulations highlights.Health and Safety Materials! Health and Safety Regulations

PA Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 28, July 14, 2001! “Application for Certification of Workplace Safety Committee” Completion Guide

(LIBC-372)! “Certification Renewal Affidavit of Workplace Safety Committee” Completion Guide

(LIBC-372R)Miscellaneous! Pennsylvania Work Injuries & Illnesses Report - 2002

Calendar year statistics on PA work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities.! News & Notes

Bureau newsletters on policies, procedures and updates on the law.! Section 305 Prosecutions

A guide to aid PA’s district attorneys in prosecuting employers who fail to carry therequired workers’ compensation insurance coverage as outlined in Section 305of the PA Workers’ Compensation Act.

Copies of the PAWorkers’Compensation Act areavailable for purchasefrom:

State Bookstore of PACommonwealthKeystone BuildingPlaza Level400 North StreetHarrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-5109

To access the Actonline, log on atwww.state.pa.us,PA Keyword:“workers comp.”From the Quick LinksPage, scroll to andclick on the “Workers’Compensation Act”hyperlink.

BWC WebInformation:

www.state.pa.us

PA Keyword:“workers comp”

Join our Mailing List

To receive future issues of the Bureau’s annual report and the News & Notes newsletter,complete the form below, cut on dotted line and mail to:

Bureau of Workers’ CompensationAttn: Information Services Section1171 South Cameron Street, Room 324Harrisburg, PA 17104-2501

$“Please add me to your mailing list for regular receipt of future annual reports and the News & Notes.”

Name: (name of company or organization, where applicable)

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$ Insurance Industry $ Third Party Administrator $ Other:


7777

Telephone DirectoryField Offffices Street Address & Zip Code Telephone NNo.

Aliquippa Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sheffield Prof. Bldg., 2020 Main St., 15001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(724) 378-1863Allentown Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160 Hamilton St., Ste. 200, 18101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(610) 821-6535Altoona Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .615 Howard Ave., Ste. 202, 16601 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(814) 946-7355Bristol Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1284 New Rodgers Rd., Box 802, 19007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(215) 781-3274Brookville Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .395 Main St., 15825 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(814) 849-5382Bureau Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1171 S. Cameron St., Room 324, 17104-2501 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(717) 783-5421Clearfield Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306 E. Locust St., 16830-2415 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(814) 765-6398Erie Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3400 Lovell Place, 13th & Holland St., 16503 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(814) 871-4632Greensburg Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 W. Otterman St., 15601 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(724) 832-5310Harrisburg Judges Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .East Gate Ctr., 1010 N. 7th St., Rm. 319, 17102-1400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(717) 783-4419Hazleton Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1201 N. Church St., Bldg. A, Ste. 203, 18202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 459-3840Johnstown Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .607 Main St., Ste. 100, 15901 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(814) 533-2494Lancaster Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315 W. James St.,Ste. 206 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(717) 299-7591Malvern Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Lancaster Ave., 2nd Fl., 19355 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(610) 251-2878New Castle Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 S. Mercer St., 16101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(724) 656-3084Philadelphia Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1400 Spring Garden St., State Office Bldg., 19130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(215) 560-2488NE Philadelphia Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2901 Grant Ave., Ste. 900, 19114 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(215) 560-2125Pittsburgh Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .933 Penn Ave., Ste. 300, 15222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(412) 565-5277Pottsville Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 S. Claude A. Lord Blvd., 17901 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 621-3146Scranton Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400 Spruce St., Ste. 500, 18503 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 963-4580Uniontown Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., 15401 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(724) 439-7420Upper Darby Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1500 Garrett Rd., Barclay Sq. Ctr., 2nd Fl., 19082 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(610) 284-6913Washington Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Millcraft Ctr., 90 W. Chestnut St., 15301 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(724) 223-4595Wilkes-Barre Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101-105 N. Main St., 18701 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 826-2577Williamsport Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208 W. 3rd St., Rear, Ste. 202, 17701 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 327-3735

Information Services

Claims Information Services:Inside Pennsylvania (toll free) . . . . .1-800-482-2383Local & Outside Pennsylvania . . . . .(717) 772-4447

Employer Information Services . . . . . . . .(717) 772-3702

TTY (for hearing and speech impaired)Inside Pennsylvania (toll free) . . . . .1-800-362-4228Local & Outside Pennsylvania . . . . .(717) 772-4991

Contact Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Telephone No.

Arrington, Ollie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(215) 560-2488

Bachman, Patricia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NE Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(215) 560-2125Baker, Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pottsville DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 621-3146Baldys, Karl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Williamsport DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(570) 327-3735Bell, Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supv., Admin. Div.-OCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(717) 783-5421Benedict, Alfred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Castle DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(724) 656-3084Benischeck, Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lancaster DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(717) 299-7591

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Contact Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone No.

Bivens, Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sec.-Adj. Dir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Bloom, Irving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greensburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 832-5310Briston, Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Burman, Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Malvern DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 251-2878

Caravaggio, Susan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pottsville DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJM, Eastern District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 621-3146Cassidy, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Cercone, Susan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aliquippa DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 378-1863Cicola, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Johnstown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Director, Adjudication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Clark, Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419Cohen, Nathan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Coholan, Anne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Uniontown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 439-7420Costelnock, Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greensburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 832-5310Crum, Elizabeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deputy Sec., Comp. & Ins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 787-5082

Dean, Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Helpline Mgr., Info. Svcs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Deeley, James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419Desimone, Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Johnstown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 533-2494Devlin, Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Dietrich, Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419DiLorenzo, Kathleen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lancaster DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 299-7591Dinsmore, Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chief, Admin. Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Dlin, Geoffrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allentown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 821-6535Doman, Bruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allentown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 821-6535Dupin, Kathleen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Info. Officer, Info. Svcs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421

Eader, Brian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419Eppley, Harvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mng. Analyst., Self-Insurance... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Evans, Darrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adm. Supv., Mailroom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421

Fitzpatrick, Anne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hearing Officer, Dir. Off.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Formica, Audrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Allentown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 821-6535

Gagai, Phethuvuyo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Getty, Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Johnstown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 533-2494Gilbert, Alan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Goodwin, Nancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Grady, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scranton DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 963-4580Guyton, Ada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greensburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 832-5310

Hagan, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Hakun, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Malvern DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 251-2878Hall, William . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scranton DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 963-4580Harris, Aida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NE Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2125Harrison, Marc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Henry, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Hetrick, Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lancaster DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 299-7591Hines, Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJM, Southeastern District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Holmes, Nathaniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chief, Claims Mgmt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-0621Hooks, Sharon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Johnstown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AO, Central District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 533-2494

Contact Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone No.

Ignasiak, Cheryl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Ingram, Deborah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., Admin. Div. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421

Jefferson, Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ppty. & Cas. Ins. Actuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Jones, Eric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Jones, Perry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Castle DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 656-3084

Kelley, Susan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Knehr, George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chief, Self-Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Koll, Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clearfield DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 765-6398Knox, Terry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pottsville DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 621-3146Kopp, Tania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supv., H&S Div. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-1917Krass, Denise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NE Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2125Kupchinsky, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bureau Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Kutz, Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wilkes-Barre DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 826-2577Kuzma, Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dep. Chief Counsel, Legal Div.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4467

Laurin, Barbara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AO, Western District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Lawton, Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Washington DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 223-4595Liddy, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Malvern DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 251-2878Liebau, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper Darby DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 284-6913Lincicome, Francine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Longson, Lac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ppty. & Cas. Ins. Actuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Lorine, Carl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper Darby DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 284-6913Lowman, William . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Uniontown DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 439-7420Lugo, Carmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Erie DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 871-4632

Maffei, Gerald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., Cal. Review-Claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-0618Makin, Sarah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper Darby DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 284-6913McManus, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bristol DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 781-3274Miller, Tanyia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Admin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Montville, Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wilkes-Barre DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AO, Eastern District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 826-2577Mullen, Anna Marie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Altoona DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 946-7355Mulligan, Angela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supv., Admin-Clerical Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421

Nathanson, Seymour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Malvern DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 251-2878Negley, Len . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chief, Health & Safety Div. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-1917Nyce, Lloyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Malvern DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 251-2878

Olin, Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Oliver, Persifor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJM, Western District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277

Parker, Rosalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Pastewka, Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Erie DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 871-4632Pearce, Shawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clerical Supv., Self-Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Peckmann, Karl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419Peleak, Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wilkes-Barre DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 826-2577Polin, Larry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ppty. & Cas. Ins. Actuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Poorman, Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Malvern DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 251-2878

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Contact Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone No.

Rabold, William . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., Audits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Rapkin, Wayne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hazleton DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 459-3840Redding, Harold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., Report & Audit Proc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-1636Ritter, Sandy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supv., Physical Recs.-Claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 787-3361Rosen, Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bristol DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 781-3274

Santoro, Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Scott, Beverly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Supv., Petitions-Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 787-3274Seacrist, Geoffrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brookville DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 849-5382Sebastianelli, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wilkes-Barre DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 826-2577Seelig, Todd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Shaffer, Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Self-Ins., Analyst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476Shallcross, Karen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claims Mgt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-0619Shayhorn, Harry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Simmons, Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2488Slom, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NE Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2125Snyder, A. Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NE Philadelphia DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 560-2125Spizer, Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scranton DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 963-4580Spizzirri, Sherri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Admin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Stapleton, James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pottsville DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 621-3146Steiner, Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Castle DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (724) 656-3084Stokes, Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Upper Darby DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (610) 284-6913Strawser, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Acting Mgr.,Compliance Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 787-3567

Tarantelli, Christina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lancaster DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 299-7591Titus, Terry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., Physical Recs/ER-Claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 787-3361Tobin, Linda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Torrey, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277

Urbany, Susan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Self-Ins. Analyst. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4476

Vallely, Kathleen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pittsburgh DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (412) 565-5277Vonada, Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Altoona DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 946-7355

Walsh, Kenneth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Williamsport DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (570) 327-3735Wehan, Albert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Erie DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (814) 871-4632Weiant, Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., H&S Certification/Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-1917Wertheimer, Karen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bristol DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (215) 781-3274Weyl, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419Williamson, Francis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WCJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-4419Willis, Kristen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Admin., Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 783-5421Wiskemann, Gina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mgr., Records Mgt.-Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-0619Wunsch, Eileen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrisburg HQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chief, Health Care Servs. Rev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (717) 772-1900

LegendAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Administrative OfficerDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .District OfficeHQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .HeadquartersWCJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Workers’ Compensation JudgeWCJM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Workers’ Compensation Judge Manager

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