Workers comp attorney in Michigan breaks down the win and loss record for current magistrates.
Most of our clients have never been exposed to the workers comp system. It usually comes as a big shock when their benefits are denied.
We find the litigation process causes great stress and anxiety. Understanding court procedure can go a long way to alleviate some of these feelings.
One way to make the litigation process easier is by knowing which magistrate will hear your case. Here is some information about disposition statistics for 2011-2012 that may help you decide if you should settle or proceed to trial.
Why the magistrate assigned to your workers comp case matters
The truth is that everyone brings their own personal biases to their jobs. Magistrates who decide workers comp cases are no different.
Some magistrates have defense backgrounds while others have spent their entire careers fighting for injured workers. These different experiences can color the way a magistrate views an injury. It’s not intentional but it can make a difference in a close case.
It is also important to realize that magistrates are political appointees and some might have an agenda. However, the vast majority of magistrates are good people who try to make fair decisions.
Magistrate win and loss statistics for 2011-2012 (as of 1/31/12)
Magistrate | Docket Assignment | Open Awards | Denied |
Kenneth Birch | Flint, Lansing | 7 | 3 |
Brian Boyle | Detroit | 0 | 2 |
John Buehler | Detroit | 0 | 3 |
David Grunewald | Detroit | 5 | 5 |
Lisa Klaeren | Kalamazoo, Lansing | 4 | 3 |
David Kurtz | Detroit | 0 | 6 |
Beatrice Logan | Detroit | 2 | 11 |
Michael Mason | Pontiac | 5 | 8 |
Timothy McAree | Grand Rapids | 5 | 7 |
Thomas Moher | Gaylord, Upper Peninsula | 4 | 4 |
E. Louis Ognisanti | Pontiac, Saginaw | 3 | 5 |
Paul Purcell | Saginaw | 2 | 2 |
Kim Rochau | Pontiac | 2 | 5 |
Chris Slater | Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo | 1 | 4 |
Robert Timmons | Lansing, Traverse City | 0 | 1 |
Robert Tjapkes | Flint | 2 | 4 |
Joy Turner | Detroit | 4 | 15 |