Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal 625 Stanwix Street, Suite 1404
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone 412-261-4774
Fax 412-261-1225

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Paul S. Homick, Jr.
Phone: 412-261-4774
Cell: 724-640-8457
Email: psh@friedkanelaw.com

REDUCING COST OF HEALTH CARE IS
COMMITMENT OF PITTSBURGH LAW FIRM

PITTSBURGH, PA (March 17, 2008) -- Health care facilities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, like all Pennsylvania businesses, continuously strive to contain their increasing costs of doing business by reducing workers’ compensation expenses. Realizing that health care facilities face unique challenges in the frequency and types of on the job injuries sustained by health care workers, the Pittsburgh based law firm of Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal is helping health care facilities implement effective strategies designed to minimize their workers’ compensation exposure. Reducing the cost of workers’ compensation in health care facilities will help lower the overall cost of health care for all Pennsylvanians.

The continuing public debate regarding medical coverage and controlling expenses is at the forefront of not only the presidential campaigns, but it is a topic of concern for Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania legislature. A significant element of containing medical expenses is helping health care facilities and providers reduce workers’ compensation costs driven by work injury claims.

Fried, Kane managing partner Michael Sherman said "The health care industry faces special problems and unique issues in analyzing workers’ compensation claims trends, reviewing existing claims and implementing effective strategies designed to meet the needs of individual health care facilities. To help health care executives navigate through the oftentimes complex and confusing Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system, we are pleased to announce the publication of The Health Care Executive Workers’ Compensation Advisor addressing the complicated issues affecting the health care industry. We are committed to providing innovative, creative strategies to all health care facilities in an effort to effectively and confidently handle their workers’ compensation issues which helps reduce the overall cost of health care." The Health Care Executive Workers’ Compensation Advisor is part of Fried, Kane’s ongoing efforts to inform Pennsylvania businesses and its clients on important topics related to workers’ compensation law.

Attorney Linda Judson, a former nurse, reviewed the most recently available injury statistics provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and noted an increase of nearly 10% in the number of work related injuries affecting health care providers in 2006 when compared with injuries occurring in 2005. In analyzing the data, she observed "Although the most prevalent injury type faced by health care providers continues to be overexertion resulting in sprains and strains, health care workers also face dangers from exposure to blood borne pathogens, falls, and other types of injuries unique to the health care industry."

Reducing workers’ compensation expenses in health care facilities helps lower the overall cost of health care. Working closely with individual facilities, Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal provides risk management solutions including advice on Pennsylvania certification for workplace safety committees, cost effective risk management strategies, suggestions regarding designated health care providers for injured workers, return to work programs unique to health care facilities, as well as other services designed to reduce workers’ compensation costs.

The Health Care Executive Workers’ Compensation Advisor is available online at www.friedkanelaw.com or a hard copy can be obtained by calling Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal at 412-261-4774.

Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal is the largest Pittsburgh based law firm solely focused on representing and advising employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in all matters of Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law.

If you would like more information on workers’ compensation issues affecting the health care industry or other Pennsylvania businesses, or to schedule an interview with Michael Sherman or Linda Judson, contact Paul Homick at 412-261-4774 or via email at psh@friedkanelaw.com.