AssistantOlivia Swihura 717.237.6941 Ext. 2302 oswihura@wglaw.comShawn Gooden defends the interests of employers, insurance companies, self-insured entities and third-party administrators in workers' compensation matters.
In addition, Shawn has extensive appellate experience before the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Shawn is certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Shawn is an adjunct professor of law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School. He is a regular presenter and lecturer on a wide variety of topics including multiple presentations at the annual Department of Labor and Industry Workers’ Compensation Conference, the Section Meeting of the Workers Compensation Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Self-Insured’s Association.
Shawn Gooden defends the interests of employers, insurance companies, self-insured entities and third-party administrators in workers' compensation matters.
In addition, Shawn has extensive appellate experience before the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Shawn is certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Shawn is an adjunct professor of law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School. He is a regular presenter and lecturer on a wide variety of topics including multiple presentations at the annual Department of Labor and Industry Workers’ Compensation Conference, the Section Meeting of the Workers Compensation Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Self-Insured’s Association.
ExperiencePrevailed in a hearing loss case. Claimant filed a Petition seeking specific loss benefits for hearing loss related to his job as a police chief and fire arms instructor. However, the evidence presented by Claimant consisting of two (2) doctors failed to establish that he suffered occupationally related hearing loss. Specifically, one of the doctors that testified on Claimant’s behalf testified that he did not know how to reduce the Claimant’s hearing loss into percentages and the other doctor did not utilize the 4th Edition of the AMA Guides. Accordingly, the Judge denied the Claim Petition in its entirety.
Prevailed in a termination petition where the employee suffered a work-related injury when his ankle was crushed by a telephone pole. The employee's treating providers released him to return to work, but he sought treatment with a new provider. His condition improved and his new provider released him to return to work without restrictions. He returned to his treating doctor and asked to be taken back out of work. The Judge discredited the employee’s testimony anywhere in which it conflicted with any other evidence. The Judge found that the employee was dissatisfied with his employment and utilized his injury as an opportunity to quit. During the pendency of the termination petition, the employer paid in excess of $50,000 in indemnity benefits plus ongoing medical benefits which will now be recoverable from the Supersedeas Fund.
Speaking Engagements- 05.16.16Panelist, "Getting What You Pay For: The Nuts and Bolts of a C&R," 15th Annual Workers’ Compensation Conference, Hershey, PA
- 06.01.15Presenter, “Legal Hurdles and Defenses,” Department of Labor and Industry Workers’ Compensation Conference, Hershey PA
- 09.12.14 Presenter, “The Ethics of Lawyer Advertising Today,” Pennsylvania Bar Association, Fall Section Meeting, Hershey, PA
Professional & Community InvolvementHarrisburg Claims Association, Member
Dauphin County Bar Association, Member
Pennsylvania Self Insureds Association, Member
Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, Member
Department of Labor and Industry Workers' Compensation Conference, Planning Committee Member
New Birth of Freedom Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Executive Board Member
AssistantOlivia Swihura 717.237.6941 Ext. 2302 oswihura@wglaw.com |
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