AssistantPaula M. Tesler 215.972.7900 (x7803) ptesler@wglaw.comStephen Potako counsels insurers, employers and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation matters.
Steve is known for getting the best results for his clients. He has a high success rate in litigating matters to a conclusion with favorable results.
The Workers’ Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association presented Steve with the Martha J. Hampton Memorial Award in 2002. He was the first defense counsel to receive the award demonstrating the appreciation and respect of his peers in the workers’ compensation bar.
Steve was inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the 10th Annual Induction Dinner in New Orleans.
Steve has also been named to Best Lawyers in America in workers’ compensation – employers since 2009.
He has an AV peer rating in Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in workers’ compensation every year since 2004.
Stephen Potako counsels insurers, employers and third-party administrators in workers’ compensation matters.
Steve is known for getting the best results for his clients. He has a high success rate in litigating matters to a conclusion with favorable results.
The Workers’ Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association presented Steve with the Martha J. Hampton Memorial Award in 2002. He was the first defense counsel to receive the award demonstrating the appreciation and respect of his peers in the workers’ compensation bar.
Steve was inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the 10th Annual Induction Dinner in New Orleans.
Steve has also been named to Best Lawyers in America in workers’ compensation – employers since 2009.
He has an AV peer rating in Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in workers’ compensation every year since 2004.
ExperienceSuccessfully prosecuted an employer's Petition for Termination of all workers' compensation benefits. In reaching this decision, the Judge credited the testimony of the IME physician, that the claimant fully recovered, over that of the claimant and his treating physician regarding ongoing pain and disability.
Successfully defended a Claim Petition, alleging a work-related aggravation of left knee arthritis necessitating a total knee replacement with various periods of disability. The employer was not responsible for medical expenses, disability benefits or litigation costs. The Workers’ Compensation Judge (WCJ) concluded that the claimant failed to prove timely notice to the employer of the alleged injury from March 2017. The WCJ also concluded that the claimant failed to prove through medical evidence her left knee condition was caused or aggravated by a work incident or by general work activities.
The Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board affirmed the decision of a Worker’s Compensation Judge to terminate an employee’s workers' compensation benefits upon medical testimony of full recovery and corroborating surveillance evidence. The Board affirmed the decision of the Judge to deny the employee’s petition to add mental injuries and the decision that chiropractic treatment was unreasonable and unnecessary following a Utilization Review Determination. There will be recourse to seek reimbursement from the Supersedeas Fund for benefits already paid that were retroactively deemed unwarranted by the litigation.
Speaking Engagements- 05.05.20Presenter, "Workers' Comp and the Impact of COVID-19 Revisted," Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI)
- 04.01.20Presenter, "Workers' Comp and the Impact of COVID-19," Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI)
- 02.21.01Presenter, "Hepatitis C, AIDS and Other Blood Borne Pathogenes," Philadelphia Bar Association, Workers Compensation Section
Professional & Community Involvement
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Workers' Compensation Section
- The College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers, Fellow
AssistantPaula M. Tesler 215.972.7900 (x7803) ptesler@wglaw.com |