Papal Visit to Philadelphia Impacts Workers’ Compensation System

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware the Pope will be visiting Philadelphia late this September. With the throngs of people flooding Philadelphia for the festivities, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation realized that some adjustments to their scheduling will have to take place.

As such, we received an e-mail from the office of the Director of Adjudication, stating that, “No hearings or mediations will be scheduled or held at the Philadelphia Arch St. Office of Adjudication from Wednesday, September 23, 2015 through Friday September 25, 2015. Matters already scheduled during that time will be rescheduled. Notice of any other changes that may impact litigation or mediation during that week will be provided as soon as possible.”

Some of the Workers’ Compensation Judges (WCJs), individually, are expanding these adjustments even further. We have an upcoming hearing scheduled for September 21, 2015, and the WCJ has advised the parties that the hearing will be held in the Upper Darby Hearing Office, rather than in Philadelphia.