An experienced litigator, Ryan has spent more than a decade defending employers, insurance companies and third-party administrators in worker’s compensation matters throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and before the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. This experience has afforded him the opportunity to develop professional relationships not only with his clients, but also with judges and opposing attorneys.
Ryan has defended all types of workers’ compensation claims with low to high exposure arising from orthopedic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations/loss of use, hearing loss, scarring and occupational diseases, and death claims. He has secured positive results for a wide array of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to locally owned family businesses, including regional and national insurance companies and third-party administrators, banks, commercial retailers, manufactures, restaurants, staffing agencies, trucking companies, school districts, churches, nursing homes, medical facilities and construction companies.
From the moment a claim is assigned, Ryan’s goal is to achieve a fast and favorable resolution, whether through settlement or litigation. His approach is simple: listen to his clients and communicate with them, early and often, to understand their objectives and formulate and implement an aggressive pragmatic strategy. In addition to his trial work, Ryan counsels clients on all aspects of workers’ compensation claims management, including pre-litigation issues and compensability determinations. He works closely with clients to develop a creative risk management strategy focused on reducing workers’ compensation exposure in the most cost effective manner possible. Ryan is also experienced in the resolution of Medicare compliance issues that arise in the settlement of workers’ compensation claims.
Within the firm, Ryan serves as a member of the Executive Committee Advisory Council, a distinguished group of firm leaders whose purpose is to enhance the communication between the Executive Committee and younger members of the firm's professional ranks, including associates, special counsel and junior shareholders.
An active member of the local legal community, Ryan belongs to the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Coalition. He was elected by his peers (in 2019, 2023 and 2025) to serve a two-year term on the Council of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section. This committee analyzes all phases, questions and problems in the field of workers' compensation, and attempts to resolve problems that are identified within the practice of workers' compensation through the interaction with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation and its administrative personnel. Additionally, the committee is responsible to keep its members, the bar association, and the public informed of the various developments, amendments, and modifications in the statutory law and regulations relating to workers' compensation.
Ryan graduated cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law. He received numerous accolades during his time there, including the Honorable Carol Los Mansmann Excellence in Writing Award, the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Research and Writing, and the Outstanding Appellate Brief and Oral Argument Awards. While completing his undergraduate degree at Westminster College, Ryan served as a member of a national fraternity and was a two-year basketball letterman.
When Ryan is not advocating on behalf of his clients, he enjoys tailgating and attending Pittsburgh Steeler games, golfing, riding bikes and fishing. Most of all, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife, Ashley, and two children Gavin and Shay.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America, Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers
2025-2026
The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
2022
Year joined
2016
Results
Defense Victory Obtained in Workers’ Compensation Case
Workers' Compensation
May 16, 2025
We secured a complete defense victory, saving our client over $500,000 in known exposure and likely millions in long-term liability. The workers’ compensation judge granted our termination petition and denied the claimant’s claim petition, finding that the claimant fully recovered and was not entitled to wage loss or medical benefits. Through medical discovery, we uncovered pre-injury treatment that directly contradicted the claimant’s testimony. The judge favored our medical expert, citing no changes on pre- and post-injury MRIs as further evidence undermining the claim.
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.
'Raymour' Decision Benefits Insurers and, Arguably, Claimants
Pittsburgh
Workers' Compensation
October 7, 2021
Notice of An Injury Can Be Extended Beyond 120 Days
Pittsburgh
Workers' Compensation
March 1, 2021
Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Specific Loss / Disfigurement, Pennsylvania Bar Association's Workers' Compensation Fall Section Meeting, Hershey, PA, October 13, 2023
Strategies to Limit Exposure and Minimize Risk, 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.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
