Michael concentrates his practice on defending workers’ compensation claims. He represents employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators, working together with his clients to achieve their desired result.
With more than 20 years of experience, Michael has appeared on behalf of his clients before many local judges, the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, the Commonwealth Court and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In addition to litigating claims, Michael counsels clients on implementing risk management strategies that focus on lowering workers’ compensation costs and avoiding liability exposure.
Michael is a member of the Lackawanna County Bar Association.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America , Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
2023-2026
Year joined
2021
Results
Successfully Defended a Multinational Food Corporation in a Workers’ Compensation Matter
Workers' Compensation
August 22, 2025
We successfully defended a multinational food corporation in a workers’ compensation case. We filed a suspension petition based upon the claimant’s employment prior to being taken out of work. The claimant filed a reinstatement petition for a right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) claim and a claim petition for the left CTS claim. The claimant also filed UR petitions related to her treatment with Dr. Mercado and Dr. Patel. Prior to the decision, we accepted left-sided CTS as work related.
Claim Petition Denied in a Case Involving Work-Related Cervical Injury
Workers' Compensation
December 13, 2024
We received a decision denying a claim petition that alleged the claimant suffered a work-related cervical injury on June 29, 2023. The claimant testified that he felt a snap but did not feel the pain right away and continued to work until July 17, 2023. He then went to the emergency room and subsequently had surgery on July 20, 2023. During cross-examination, the claimant agreed he only suffered a cervical injury, not a low back injury.
Favorable Decision Dismissing Claim Petition Involving an Alleged Work From Home Injury
Workers' Compensation
July 30, 2024
We received a favorable decision dismissing a Claim Petition involving a claimant who alleged injuries from working at home on the couch. Mike submitted the claimant’s testimony from third-party litigation demonstrating conflicts with her testimony in the workers’ compensation case to impact her credibility. He also emphasized the claimant’s pre-existing condition, even though she told her medical expert that she was asymptomatic, as the claimant had been receiving chiropractic care for 38 years.
Successful Defense of Claim Petition
Workers' Compensation
February 2, 2023
We defended a Claim Petition, successfully proving that a claimant’s injury was not work-related. After a thorough investigation and review of the medical records, we were able to present witnesses and evidence that confirmed that the alleged injury had gone unreported and was inconsistent with the mechanism of injury. The Workers’ Compensation Judge found our witnesses credible that the claimant did not report his knee condition as work-related.
Thought Leadership
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Protecting Against Unreasonable Medical Expenses and Fee Reviews, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 27, 2022
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
