McMenamin and Wing Show

Both Sides of the Aisle: PA Workers' Comp from Plaintiff & Defense with Kaleigh Ryder | Ep. 21What does a workers' compensation claim look like from inside an insurance company? In this episode of the McMenamin and Wing Show, managing partner Tom Wing sits down with Kaleigh Ryder — senior in-house counsel at one of the region's top insurance carriers — for a rare, candid conversation about how Pennsylvania workers' comp cases are won, lost, and settled from both sides of the aisle.From late-reporting red flags to panel provider rules, Medicare Set-Asides to settlement timing, Tom and Katie pull back the curtain on the strategies, signals, and systems that shape every PA workers' compensation claim — and what injured workers absolutely need to know before they make a costly mistake.What You'll LearnThe #1 mistake injured workers make — and why it can kill a claim before it startsWhat red flags defense counsel looks for when deciding to deny a workers' comp claimHow the panel provider system works — and how employers routinely fail to complyWhy an orthopedic walk-in clinic can change the outcome of your caseWhen settlement talks begin and how both plaintiff and defense use the same formula to value a claimWhy in-house insurance counsel is often easier to deal with than outside defense firmsHow AI tools like ChatGPT are giving injured workers unrealistic case valuationsThe truth behind the McDonald's hot coffee case — and what it really means for injury claimsTopics CoveredLate reporting — Why waiting even a weekend to report an injury can get your claim denied, and why insurers are naturally suspicious of delaysThe 3-step rule — Report the injury → See a doctor → Call a lawyer. In that order.Red flags for insurers — Late reporting, no witnesses, attorney retained on day one, attorney-referred doctors, and when the mechanism doesn't match the injuryPanel provider rules in PA — Every employer must post a panel provider list, workers' comp rights notice, and insurance documentation. Most small contractors don't — and that means injured workers can see their own doctorThe 90-day insurer medical control window — What it is, how it works, and why it's an affirmative defense the insurer has to prove (not the injured worker)Concentra vs. orthopedic walk-in clinics — Why urgent care centers aren't built for serious injuries, and how getting to an ortho walk-in clinic gets you an MRI the same dayMedicare Set-Aside (MSA) — How catastrophic and long-term claims get structured, and why getting Medicare involved changes everythingIn-house vs. outside defense counsel — How billing incentives at outside firms affect how long cases drag on, and why in-house counsel tends to be more pragmaticAI and case value expectations — Why clients using ChatGPT to value their claims are setting themselves up for frustrationWorkers' comp settlement formula — Medical bills, wage payments, the 500-week cap, and impairment rating evaluations (IREs) — how both sides are working from the same numbersDabbler lawyers — Why workers' comp is one of the most specialized areas of law and what happens when a personal injury attorney tries to handle a comp claimAbout Kaleigh RyderKaleigh Ryder is senior in-house counsel at one of the top insurance companies in the Delaware Valley. A first-generation lawyer and Widener University School of Law graduate, Katie worked her way through law school as a single mother — bartending 20 hours a week, navigating repeated custody hearings, and relying on food stamps and daycare assistance to make it work. She interned at the DA's office and worked on both the plaintiff and defense sides of workers' comp before joining her current carrier — giving her a uniquely balanced view of how the system really operates.ResourcesMcMenamin & Wing — Pennsylvania's full-service workers' compensation firm, operating statewide across four offices.📞 215-609-4183🌐 workerscompadvocates.comAbout the McMenamin and Wing ShowEach week, managing partner Tom Wing and host Joe Daugherty break down the Pennsylvania workers' compensation system — interviewing attorneys, medical experts, and industry insiders to give injured workers, employers, and legal professionals the knowledge they need to navigate one of the most specialized areas of law. Broadcasting live on WWDB Talk 860.Have a workers' comp question? Call 215-609-4183 or visit workerscompadvocates.com for a free consultation.

Grays Ferry Collapse, Wrongful Death Workers' Comp & Protecting Injured Workers in PA | Ep. 20When a Grays Ferry parking garage collapsed and killed three ironworkers, it put Pennsylvania workers' compensation law front and center. In this episode, McMenamin & Wing managing partner Tom Wing and Bridge Legal founder Larry Schreiber break down wrongful death benefits, mental-mental PTSD claims, evidence preservation, and why having the right legal team and the right doctors from day one can make all the difference for injured workers and their families.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow wrongful death workers' comp benefits are calculated and paid in Pennsylvania — including who qualifies and for how longWhat makes a "mental-mental" PTSD claim compensable under PA workers' comp law, and why insurers fight these claims hardWhy evidence preservation (spoliation) at a job site matters — and how a single piece of concrete could determine who is liable in an eight-figure third-party claimThe difference between a workers' comp claim and a third-party negligence claim after a catastrophic workplace accidentHow Bridge Legal places injured workers with qualified, vetted medical providers across 20 statesWhat a Letter of Protection (LOP) is and how it allows injured workers to get the care they need before any settlementWhy medical compliance and proper documentation can make or break the value of a workers' comp caseTopics CoveredThe Grays Ferry Parking Garage Collapse — Three ironworkers from Ironworkers Local 401 were killed when a garage under construction collapsed. Tom Wing explains how wrongful death workers' comp works: the insurer calculates benefits based on the worker's average weekly wage (AWW) and pays surviving dependents — children through majority or college, spouses for life.Wrongful Death Benefits Under PA Workers' Comp — In obvious, catastrophic cases, insurers typically cooperate and pay what they owe. An attorney confirms they are, and fights back when they do not.Catastrophic Injury Protocols — Get the worker to the hospital first. Everything else — notice, paperwork, employer pushback — can be sorted by a workers' comp attorney afterward.Mental-Mental PTSD Claims Under PA Workers' Comp Law — A mental stimulus causing a mental injury (PTSD) is compensable in Pennsylvania, but requires proof of an abnormal working condition. Witnessing a coworker die on the job qualifies. Insurers send these claimants to hand-picked IME doctors who minimize the injury — which is why you need an attorney who has litigated these cases before.Evidence Preservation and Spoliation — In catastrophic cases, a workers' comp claim may be worth $1 to $2 million, but a third-party claim against the general contractor, concrete supplier, or equipment manufacturer can reach well into eight figures. McMenamin and Wing sends preservation letters to all potential defendants immediately, so nothing at the scene is moved or destroyed before experts can inspect it.Workers' Comp vs. Third-Party Claims — Most injured workers come to the office first because they need to pay their mortgage while a spouse is in the hospital. Workers' comp gets them stable. The third-party claim built alongside it is where the real recovery lives.Bridge Legal's Statewide Medical Network — Bridge Legal maintains a network of over 365 vetted providers across 20 states. Attorneys call one number instead of having a paralegal spend hours cold-calling doctors who may not understand workers' comp billing, won't testify, or will burn through available funds without helping the case.The Walmart of Docs Problem — Employer-directed panel physicians often deliver minimal care and weak documentation. Quality workers' comp doctors produce thorough orthopedic testing records and diagnostic write-ups that actually support the claim in front of a judge.Letters of Protection (LOPs) — An LOP is a written promise from the attorney's office to pay a medical provider from the eventual settlement. It lets injured workers receive proper care immediately, without paying out of pocket.Medical Compliance — If an injured worker stops showing up to appointments, the insurance carrier uses it as evidence they are no longer hurt. Bridge Legal tracks attendance and notifies attorneys when clients go missing from their treatment schedule.Geographic Convenience of Providers — For routine care like physical therapy, chiropractic, and pain management, Bridge Legal keeps things close to home. For high-stakes specialists like surgeons, some travel is expected and worth it.Preparing Doctors to Testify — Many physicians are nervous about depositions. Tom Wing walks medical witnesses through the process, reassuring them that their only job is to tell the truth about their patient's treatment.Resources and Links MentionedMcMenamin and Wing — Free Pennsylvania Workers' Comp Case Evaluation: workerscompadvocates.comCall or text McMenamin and Wing 24/7: 215-609-4183Bridge Legal Medical Network: BridgeMedLegal.comBridge Legal Direct Line: (609) 332-0428About the McMenamin and Wing ShowThe McMenamin and Wing Show is hosted by Pennsylvania workers' compensation attorneys Roger C. McMenamin and Thomas H. Wing of McMenamin and Wing, LLC — a law firm dedicated exclusively to representing injured workers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each episode delivers authoritative legal insight, practical guidance, and real-world strategies for navigating the Pennsylvania workers' compensation system. Whether you have suffered a workplace injury, had your claim denied, or are fighting an insurance company, we break down the law so you know your rights and how to protect them.Get a Free ConsultationIf you have been injured on the job in Pennsylvania, do not face the workers' compensation system alone. Contact McMenamin and Wing for a free consultation. Call 24/7: 215-609-4183. Visit workerscompadvocates.com. Offices in Philadelphia, Jenkintown, Pittsburgh, and Wyalusing, PA.Connect With UsTikTok: @thwesqYouTube: McMenamin and Wing on YouTube130-plus five-star Google reviewsThe McMenamin and Wing Show is produced by MDV Productions. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have been injured at work in Pennsylvania, contact a qualified workers' compensation attorney for advice specific to your situation.