Congratulations to Shareholders Rebecca F. Stillman and Rachel L. Waters-Hilty on Securing a Complete Defense Victory
Congratulations to Shareholders Rebecca F. Stillman and Rachel L. Waters-Hilty on securing a complete defense victory for BL Harbert International LLC and its carrier, Allied World National Assurance Company, in a Defense Base Act claim before Administrative Law Judge Susan L. Hoffman. Judge Hoffman found that the claimant failed to establish a compensable injury arising out of his employment and denied all claims for compensation and medical benefits. The decision turned on the claimant's years-long delay in seeking treatment, inconsistencies in his testimony and reported limitations, the absence of objective medical evidence supporting the alleged work-related injuries, and the strength of the defense medical evidence. After the employer successfully rebutted the Section 20(a) presumption, ALJ Hoffman concluded that the claimant failed to meet his ultimate burden to prove a compensable injury under the Defense Base Act.
Excellent work by Rebecca and Rachel developing and presenting a compelling factual and medical record and achieving this outstanding result for their clients.
