Albert B Randall Jr
WORKERS' COMPENSATION & EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY PROFILE
FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK represents employers, individual and group self-insurers, and insurance carriers in all aspects of workers' compensation defense. Our practice includes proceedings: (1) before the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission and at each level of appellate review; (2) under the District of Columbia's Workers' Compensation Act; (3) the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act; and (4) under applicable federal statutes such as the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA).
Our attorneys possess the experience and trial skills gained through years of active litigation practice. Such skills and experience allow us to offer premiere, yet cost effective, representation to our workers' compensation clients. We recognize that success for our clients often comes in the skillful negotiation of an amicable resolution. We also know that certain cases require litigation and when they do we are fully committed to aggressively protecting our clients' interests within the bounds of law. By partnering with our clients, we are able to counsel as to what the potential consequences of any course of action will be, not only in strict monetary terms, but in practical terms as well. In sum, we are in the business of serving business.
Beyond litigation, the attorneys at FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK also represent employers, both as individual and as group self-insurers, in regulatory matters before both the Maryland Insurance Commission and the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission. Similarly, in keeping with the maxim that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," we work with a number of our clients to establish appropriate safety and reporting procedures thereby pro-actively minimizing risk and exposure.
Being fully computerized, we have access to both the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission's records and the on-line sites of the Maryland and federal judiciary. Likewise, we have access to computerized databases both on-line, such as Lexis and WestLaw, and via CD-ROM, such as Michie's Maryland Law on Disk. These capabilities, coupled with general inter-net access and savvy, allow us to apply investigative and legal resources to our clients' cases thereby effecting considerable savings over traditional labor-intensive means. FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK is also equipped with a state of the art case management and diary system that is flexible enough to meet almost any client's billing needs.
FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK applies a team approach to client case handling. That is, by establishing a team for a particular client, we are able to effectively and appropriately staff any matter that the particular client may face with attorneys the client knows and has come to trust. Equally important, the attorney on that client's team is familiar with that client's business and personnel. Again, we recognize the importance of partnering with our clients. Similarly, FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK utilizes paralegal assistants where appropriate to minimize costs and expense. Each of our paralegals has considerable experience in workers' compensation law and procedure, making them yet another invaluable resource for our clients.
FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK currently represents, among others, the workers' compensation self-insurance groups of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, the Maryland Association of Community Services, and the Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth/the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland. Insurance clients include Brethren Mutual Insurance Company, the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, the Fidelity & Deposit Companies, Great West Casualty Company, Harford Mutual Insurance Company, Highlands Insurance Company, Montgomery Mutual Insurance Company, Penn National Insurance Company, Rockwood Casualty Insurance Company, and St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company. The Firm also represents clients with significant self-insurance retentions, such as ALCOA Eastalco Works, the American Red Cross, Citicorp, the CSX Corporation, FMC Corporation, McDonalds, Owen-Corning Fiberglass Corporation, Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P., SunTrust Banks, SYSCO and Waste Management. Self-insured clients include CBS Corporation/Westinghouse, Chicago Metallic Corporation, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Fleetwood Travel Trailers, Food Lion, Inc., General Electric Corporation, Hyatt Hotels, Inc., and UPS Freight. The Firm also works with a number of third party administrators, including CompManagement, Crawford & Company, Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc., Gates McDonald, Love, Barnes & McKew, and Sedgwick Claims Management Services, The Schaffer Companies, Ltd., and Willis Administrative Services, to effectively service clients.
Additionally, the attorneys of FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK are familiar with, and capable of analyzing, the intricate interplay between workers' compensation law and various labor and discrimination acts. We recognize that it is crucial, both in claims defense, and planning, to consider the handling of workers' compensation issues in the context of how one's decision may impact the same employer's exposure in related claims by the same employee. By again taking a proactive approach, heading off potential trouble before it begins, we are often able to demonstrate full compliance with these laws and still maintain a vigorous workers' compensation defense.
One of the challenges facing anyone dealing with workers’ compensation claims is the evaluation of the employer and insurer’s exposure. The method for calculating the value of benefits can be complex. Accordingly, the attorneys of Franklin & Prokopik have prepared a "Workers’ Compensation Benefits Rate Card" for each of the jurisdictions they defend such claims in (Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia). These "benefits rate cards" are designed to provide a "user friendly" tool to enable the user to calculate the value of benefits, and, in particular, to translate numerical impairment ratings into their dollar equivalent. To view, or obtain copies of, the current workers’ compensation benefits rate card for Maryland, the District of Columbia, or Virginia, click here.
Another challenge for anyone dealing with workers’ compensation claims, and particularly those new to the process, is the fact that so many acronyms and abbreviations are routinely used (A.I., D.T., etc.). Claims handling and evaluation often necessitates reviewing medical records, and they similarly have a number of routinely used abbreviations and shorthand terms. As a result, we have prepared a "Comptionary" of frequently used legal and medical abbreviations.
FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK produces a quarterly newsletter on workers' compensation and labor and employment issues, the Franklin & Prokopik First Report. To receive a complimentary copy or copies of past issues, or be added to the mailing list, please click here or e-mail your request to Joan Hartman, Office Manager at jhartman@fandpnet.com.
Likewise, our attorneys frequently participate in client seminars and have served as authors and editors of various publications in this field. FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK speakers are available on the whole range of workers' compensation and employer's liability issues. To request a speaker, please contact Joan Hartman, Office Manager at 410-230-3631 or e-mail jhartman@fandpnet.com.
Albert B Randall Jr
Franklin & Prokopik PC
B&O Building #600
2 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21201
Tel: 410 230-3622
Fax: 410 752-6868
E-mail: arandall@fandpnet.com
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