Law.com Talks to Michael Dryden About Significant Win in Workers’ Comp Case

Willig, Williams & Davidson partner Michael Dryden recently discussed a significant workers’ compensation case win in a Law.com article entitled “SEPTA Employee’s Suicide Covered Under Workers’ Comp, Commonwealth Court Rules.”

The article highlights a recent Commonwealth Court ruling in favor of Dryden’s client, the widow of a SEPTA mechanic who died by suicide after being injured at work. The appeals court upheld the prior decision of a workers’ compensation judge who ruled that the man’s family is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

“There is simply no doubt that a very good man, Gregory Hansell, experienced a disturbance in thinking that overwhelmed this rational judgment due to his work injury,” Dryden told Law.com.

After hearing the case, a workers’ compensation judge (WCJ), the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (WCAB) and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court all confirmed the Hansell family’s entitlement to benefits. Dryden said the family was pleased with the court’s decision, which may help pave the way for dependents in Pennsylvania to more easily seek benefits following a decedent’s death by suicide.

Read the full article: SEPTA Employee’s Suicide Covered Under Workers’ Comp, Commonwealth Court Rules [Subscription may be required.]