Newsroom

Yana N. Shapiro Presents at the 2025 ALFA Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Seminar

This week at the ALFA 2025 Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Seminar, Yana N. Shapiro will moderate a discussion titled Art of the Global Settlement and will also serve as the Women’s Initiative Liaison.

Jeffrey D. Laudenbach Presents at the 2025 ALFA Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Seminar

This week at the ALFA 2025 Workers’ Compensation Practice Group Seminar, Jeffrey D. Laudenbach will moderate a discussion titled What’s In Your Tacklebox?: Trolling The Deep Sea For Hidden Data With Social Media and Surveillance Investigations to Impact Claim Values.  

Attorney Ashley N. Baker Moderates Panel at 2025 ABA Transportation Mega Conference

We are proud to announce that Ashley Baker, one of our distinguished attorneys, recently served as a moderator at the 2025 ABA Transportation Mega Conference. Ashley led a dynamic discussion on proving and defending the most common and troublesome personal injury claims involving commercial trucks—a critical topic in the evolving landscape of commercial transportation litigation.

As the current Chair of the Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee within the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the American Bar Association (ABA), Ashley brings invaluable expertise to the field. Her leadership in the industry continues to shape strategies for both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes trucking litigation.

We congratulate Ashley on this accomplishment and look forward to her continued contributions to the legal community.

Andre J. Webb Appointed as Co-Chair of Campaign for Qualified Judges

The Campaign for Qualified Judges is the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Political Action Committee, the purpose of which is to raise and spend funds to support two classes of candidates: those running in primary, special or general elections for judicial office and incumbent judges seeking retention; provided that each candidate has been rated “Highly Recommended” or “Recommended” by the Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention of the Association.

Andre J. Webb and Kevin M. Ellis Obtain Successful Dismissal of Clients

Andre J. Webb and Kevin M. Ellis obtained a successful dismissal of clients, involved in the agriculture business, through Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged that the clients were Plaintiff’s employers, yet were nonetheless liable to Plaintiff for injuries suffered in an agricultural building collapse involving a fatality in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Andre and Kevin argued that Plaintiff’s claims against the clients were barred by the exclusivity provision of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act and barred by Plaintiff’s failure to properly serve the clients with original process prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations. After the Preliminary Objections were filed, the Court granted all relief sought by Andre and Kevin, dismissing all claims against the clients with prejudice, allowing the clients to avoid having to engage in discovery and protracted litigation.

GGM is pleased to announce new Litigation Associate Briana Pearson

GGM is pleased to announce our newest team member, Briana Pearson. Brianna has joined the firm as an associate specializing in defense of professional liability, product liability, and catastrophic injury. Before joining GGM, Briana worked at a Pennsylvania general practice law firm, representing clients in labor and employment and personal injury matters.

GGM is pleased to announce new Litigation Associate Ashley Baker

We are thrilled to announce that Ashley Baker has come aboard GGM as an associate within the casualty and transportation practice groups.  Before joining GGM, Ashley operated a Pennsylvania firm focused on supporting and advocating for commercial truck drivers and transportation entities. Before the practice of law, Ashley herself was a business operator and commercial truck driver.

GGM is pleased to announce new Litigation Associate Hugh Daulerio

GGM is delighted to share that Hugh Daulerio has joined the firm’s casualty and transportation practice groups.  Hugh has over a decade of experience as a trial lawyer in personal injury litigation, having advocated for both plaintiffs and the defense throughout Pennsylvania. Hugh is a Rutgers University Law School graduate, where he also obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Full Dismissal in $70 Million Truck Accident Case in Pennsylvania

We are thrilled to announce a significant legal win for our commercial trucking clients. Matt McColgan successfully helped secure our client’s dismissal from a $70 million case in Pennsylvania, reinforcing vital principles for the industry.

In this case, the Court entered summary judgment in our client’s favor and agreed on two pivotal points:

1. In dismissing a negligent entrustment claim: a longstanding relationship between a commercial lessor and lessee does not itself automatically establish a commercial lessor’s notice that the lessee may hire an incompetent driver. This decision provides clarity on the importance of evidence beyond routine business associations.
2. In dismissing a negligent maintenance claim: a lessor’s duty to maintain its vehicles is triggered only by notice of a defect; the presence of a purported defect alone is insufficient.  Despite the plaintiff’s experts claiming the truck was unroadworthy due to an “out-of-spec” braking system, the court agreed that a commercial lessor has no obligation to inspect beyond regular maintenance intervals.

Defense victories like this are not without the hard work involved in fully developing the facts of a case, as well as the collaborative efforts by the client team.  Our firm remains dedicated to representing the interests of commercial trucking companies to ensure their businesses can continue to operate safely and with confidence.

New Pennsylvania Bill Allows Injured Workers to Receive Benefits Via Direct Deposit

The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed a bill that would require insurers to make direct deposit the default method for paying temporary total disability workers’ compensation benefits.

Introduced on May 31, 2024, PA SB1232 amends the Workers’ Compensation Act to require insurers and self-insured employers to offer direct deposit for payment of temporary total disability payments. The rationale offered for this new bill centers around the inefficiencies of paper checks, noting their potential to cause delays, loss, or displacement. The bill’s supporters also suggest that the switch to direct deposit may help insurers by reducing processing time and mailing costs. However, the bill does outline that lump sum payments as a result of Compromise & Release agreements and payments for claims with an expected duration of 60 days or less may continue to be paid by paper check. Additionally, if the employee does not have an account with a financial institution capable of accepting direct deposit, they may request payment by paper check.

After effective passage date of this bill, insurers may permit or require payment by direct deposit. No later than one year after the effective passage date, all insurers will be required to offer payment by direct deposit. Should this bill pass, insurers will be required to provide an authorization form or may direct the employee to an online authorization form immediately upon availability or concurrently with a notice of compensation payable. If the direct deposit form is not validly filled out by the employee within 30 days of receiving notification of the requirement, the insurer may, at its discretion, temporarily pay by check.

While some TPAs and insurers already offer payment by direct deposit, some do not pay for this extra service and will need to do so if this bill passes, which appears likely.