Workers' Compensation and Disability Law

Keller Thoma's Workers' Disability Law Practice Group primarily works with self-insured employers, insurance companies, and joint risk pools in defending workers' compensation claims on behalf of employers.

Employers dealing with work-related personal injuries often face a wide variety of legal issues. In addition to appearing at the Workers’ Compensation Agency for all administrative hearings, we also advise employers on how to coordinate workers’ compensation issues with the challenges imposed by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (MPDCRA). We also assist clients in their efforts to return employees to work and advise clients regarding “favored work” and “reasonable accommodation” requirements.

Oftentimes, employers must deal with employees who have either emotional or physical problems that may or may not be work-related. These conditions may affect the employee’s performance, attendance, and other aspects of the employee’s employment. In these situations, the firm assists its clients in evaluating the legal issues regarding the employee’s rights under the FMLA, ADA, MPDCRA, and the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act.

The FMLA has especially imposed challenges on employers. The firm assists its clients in evaluating FMLA claims and interpreting the voluminous FMLA regulations. This counseling also includes making sure the client understands the intricate relationship between an FMLA leave of absence request and the ADA and workers’ compensation issues that might also be involved.

We welcome you to contact Keller Thoma if we may be of assistance to you in a workers' compensation or other employment law matter. Based in Southfield, Michigan, we work with employers, insurers, and other public and private organizations in the Detroit area, throughout Michigan, and in neighboring states.