WCJ Errs in Addressing Pending Petitions Before Settlement Hearing

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that a workers’ compensation judge erred in addressing an employer’s termination petition and two utilization review petitions before holding a hearing on the approval of a settlement. Case: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania v. Braas, No. 481 C.D. 2025, 08/20/2026, published. Facts and procedural history: Natalie Braas worked for the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania as a nurse.  She suffered injuries in January 2021 while moving a patient. The university accepted liability for an upper-back strain. A worke...