New Jersey Senior Trial Counsel Obtains Favorable Decision for Healthcare Client in Workers’ Compensation Claim
Cherry Hill Senior Trial Counsel Rachel Planas successfully defended our medical equipment supplier client before a Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Judge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania related to a disputed workers’ compensation claim.
The Claimant’s petition alleged a right upper extremity injury on March 4, 2025, sustained while performing work-related duties that included pushing a cart and distributing products. Claimant sought medical treatment and was placed on work restrictions.
In support of her claim, Claimant presented testimony from a physician board certified in pain management and anesthesiology. Following an examination, the physician diagnosed Claimant with right upper extremity neuropathic pain and radiculopathy versus brachial plexopathy and opined that her condition was related to the alleged work injury.
Litchfield Cavo’s workers’ compensation defense counsel disputed that Claimant sustained a work-related injury and presented physician testimony from board certified orthopedic surgeon with a specialty of hand surgery. Following an examination of Claimant and review of her medical records, our client’s medical expert found no objective symptoms supporting a work injury sustained in March 2025 and opined that Claimant did not sustain a new injury on that date. Our client’s medical expert further testified that Claimant’s medical records documented similar complaints involving her neck and upper right upper extremity predating the alleged injury. Our attorneys also presented evidence concerning Claimant’s prior 2021 work-related injury involving her right upper extremity.
During cross-examination, Claimant denied recalling prior complaints or other treatment involving her right upper extremity. However, her prior sworn testimony and contemporaneous medical records documented complaints involving her right shoulder, elbow and neck following the 2021 injury.
In June 2026, the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Judge ruled in favor of our clients, concluding that Claimant failed to meet her burden of proving that she sustained a work-related injury on March 4, 2025. The Judge rejected Claimant’s testimony based on her presentation, demeanor and documented inconsistencies with prior medical and business records. The Judge also credited Employer’s medical expert over Claimant’s medical expert, finding the testimony credible and persuasive.
Rachel M. Planas has more than a decade of experience representing employers in the area of workers’ compensation. She defended cases on behalf of both private employers and large corporations, healthcare systems and teaching institutions, counties and municipalities, construction companies and manufacturers that are either insured or self-insured.