Workers' Compensation

Mike’s legal practice focuses solely on representing injured workers who have either been denied workers’ compensation benefits, are being forced to return to work while not physically able, or are receiving documents from their employer/insurance carrier, threatening to stop workers’ compensation benefits. Consistent with Scanlon & Wojton’s core philosophies, Mike will handle your workers’ compensation claim from start-to-finish. He makes himself readily available to his clients in order to answer any questions that they may have regarding their case. Mike attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude. He was a four-year letter winner on the University’s baseball team, being named a team captain during his senior season. Mike then joined Matt and Tim at Duquesne University school of Law, where he received the CALI Excellence For the Future Award in legal research and writing. Following graduation from Duquesne Law, Mike joined a law firm in downtown Pittsburgh, representing employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation matters. It is this experience that gives Mike a unique perspective when representing injured workers.

Scott Kessler specializes in Personal Injury matters, including Motor Vehicle Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents, Truck Accidents, and Dog Bite cases. Mr. Kessler also specializes in Workers’ Compensation cases, and was for ten years recognized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Workers’ Compensation Law Attorney. Mr. Kessler has been named a total of thirteen times to the annual “Super Lawyers” list published in New Jersey Monthly Magazine, for his work in the areas of both Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury law. Appearing in the New Jersey Supreme Court, Mr. Kessler successfully fought to establish new legal precedents and expand the rights of injured workers in the Supreme Court case of Sager vs. O. A. Peterson Construction Co., and has appeared in New Jersey’s Appellate Division on several additional matters. He was the Acting Municipal Prosecutor for Freehold Borough from 1990 – 1991, and has also served as a Monmouth County Public Defender Pool Attorney, and as a private Criminal Defense attorney. Mr. Kessler has been the Managing Shareholder of Team Law since 2012, and has been the Managing Attorney of the Team Law Workers’ Compensation Department since 1991. Mr. Kessler graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980, and received his Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in 1988. He became licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court, District of New Jersey, in 1988. He has served as a Vice-President of The New Jersey Advisory Council on Safety and Health, a workers’ rights advocacy group, since 2008, and is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the New Jersey Association of Justice.

Darby Hoggatt is the owner of Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. and has over 20 years of experience. He believes in handling every case efficiently, exceeding expectations, and giving every client the personal attention they deserve. Mr. Hoggatt attended the University of Wyoming where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in finance in 1992 and his J.D. in 1995. His legal practice areas include workers' compensation and personal injury. Call today for your no cost consultation. 970-225-2190 | 1-800-664-3151

Attorney Smith is a strong advocate for the rights of injured and disabled. He possesses over 25 years of legal experience. After graduating with honors from Boston University School of Business Management, he started his career as a workers compensation claims adjuster. Attorney Smith soon realized he could accomplish more in his career if he earned a Law Degree. He decided to attend Suffolk University Law School on Beacon Hill, Boston, MA. Soon after graduation, he worked briefly at a prestigious Insurance Defense Firm in Boston, Massachusetts. He quickly realized he did not want to represent big insurance companies and employers against the working class. Attorney Smith then took his talents to Lowell, Massachusetts and practiced law at one of the largest plaintiff oriented law firms in Merrimack Valley. It was there he determined it was his calling to represent the less fortunate and pursue injury and disability claims on behalf of clients and their families. After handling personal Injury, disability and workers compensation matters for over a decade in Lowell, he was offered an opportunity to work at one of the largest plaintiff personal injury firms in the State of Massachusetts. While at this firm in Boston, he handled countless workers compensation and third party claims on behalf of his clients. After working at a large specialty plaintiff personal injury law firm, he decided he could properly serve the needs of his clients if he started his own law firm. Attorney Smith is the founder of the Mass Injury Group. His firm represents hundreds of clients across the state of Massachusetts. His firm specializes in handling all types of injury claims including motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, wrongful death claims, negligence claims, premises liability cases, workers compensation injuries and social security disability matters. Attorney Michael O. Smith has handled countless jury and non-jury trials. Attorney Smith and his firm have recovered Millions of dollars on behalf of clients.

It is Todd’s nature to work hard for his clients. He has a history of excelling at what is important to him. Law school is an example. Todd graduated magna cum laude from the Detroit College of Law. He is a bright, young attorney who is compassionate as well as intelligent. Although he becomes very involved in the difficulties of his clients, he enjoys his work because it is an opportunity to help them out of those difficulties. Todd is a skillful communicator. He gains the cooperation of the many people involved in his cases by always dealing with them in a professional manner. Todd joined the firm in 1988. Before attending law school, he graduated from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Todd enjoys spending family time with his wife and two sons. He also has a passion for physical activities like water sports and weightlifting.

Edward C. Lawhead, born in Chicago, Illinois, November 21, 1974; admitted to the Bar in 2007. Education: Purdue University, Bachelor of Science-Finance 1997; Valparaiso University School of Law, Juris Doctorate 2006. Associations: Lake County Bar Association; American Bar Association; Indiana State Bar Association; National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. Courts admitted into: All Courts in the State of Indiana; United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Edward C. Lawhead practices in the areas of Worker’s Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Personal Injury.

S. Michael Graham was born in Dallas County, Texas on November 4th, 1963, and graduated from Woodrow Wilson high school in 1982. He went on to receive his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987. He earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas in 1991. In 1993, Mr. Graham received his Texas law license. From 1993 – 1996, Mr. Graham worked for several small law firms. In 1997 Mr. Graham started a solo law practice. Since 1997, Mr. Graham has devoted his efforts to representing injured workers at administrative hearings before the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation and on appeal. Mr. Graham also represents injured workers in trial by jury in both county and district courts.

Gary Newland is an experienced trial attorney evidenced by the hundreds of cases he has successfully won at trial. Many of Gary’s cases have been covered by USA Today, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, NBC, The Daily Herald, Oprah Winfrey and the list goes on. Many of the clients Gary represents are referrals from other attorneys who are aware of his skills and reputation in the community. He has been an invited guest lecturer to the Bar Association and other legal organizations as well as an author of published articles on legal issues. He has been a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, Illinois Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Chicago Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and was the youngest person ever elected to the High School Dist 214 School Board. Practicing in the Chicagoland area for the past 30 years, Gary currently handles legal matters such as personal injury, workers' compensation, real estate, & more. To schedule your free phone consultation with Gary Newland, visit online, or call 847-797-8000.

Melissa R. Chandy is a Partner with Pond Lehocky and has focused her practice exclusively on Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law since graduating from Penn State – Dickinson School of Law. Ms. Chandy was born and raised in Canada where she attended the University of Toronto and was accepted into a highly competitive Specialist Program in Commerce and Finance. Following law school, Ms. Chandy served as a law clerk for two Commissioners on the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. She then joined a leading regional firm, where she developed her legal writing and trial advocacy skills. When Ms. Chandy joined Pond Lehocky, she continued to devote her time to protecting the rights of injured workers. While working at Pond Lehocky, Ms. Chandy earned the title of Partner. Additionally, she manages the brief writing department in the law firm. In this role, Ms. Chandy uses her knowledge to train and teach new associates the nuances of the brief writing processes, to ensure that from start to finish, Pond Lehocky cases are passionately and articulately argued. Ms. Chandy also plays an active role in Pond Lehocky’s Summer Associate and Clerkship Program.

About The Firm . Cohen, Snyder, Eisenberg & Katzenberg, P.A., was founded more than 40 years ago in Baltimore, Maryland. Since then, our law firm has grown into a statewide practice with additional offices in Bel Air, Frederick, Essex and Glen Burnie. Our team is made up of attorneys recognized for their accomplishments. Our attorneys have been listed several times in Who's Who in American Law and have held leadership positions in local bar associations and other legal organizations. We are the people's choice. We understand and protect your rights. Call 410-752-1880 (410-332-0045 on nights or weekends) or email • Free consultation The focus of our law firm is helping injured people. We handle personal injury claims and assist injured people in obtaining workers' compensation and Social Security Disability benefits. In many cases, these areas of practice overlap. For example, victims of on-the-job car accidents may be eligible for workers' comp and they may also be able to file a personal injury claim. Victims of injuries in or out of the workplace may also qualify for Social Security Disability. We make certain that all potential areas of recovery are examined. Our law firm also handles criminal defense cases. If you or a loved one has ended up on the wrong side of the law and faces accusations of DWI/DUI or another offense, count on our attorneys to stand up for your rights and protect your freedom. We Know Maryland And Marylanders Well Our lawyers travel the state getting to know our clients and attending hearings, negotiating with insurance companies and other opponents, and representing our clients in courtrooms. We offer a high level of service focused on the best interests of our clients. Our workers' compensation and personal injury law firm blends big firm experience and resources with small firm compassion and treatment. Contact us for a free initial consultation to experience this for yourself.