Bufford v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board

OPINION

Justice McCAFFERY.

In this case, we revisit the issue of the appropriate allocation of the relevant burdens of proof when workers’ compensa tion claimants seek reinstatement of suspended benefits pursuant to Section 418(a) of the Workers’ Compensation Act (“Act”), 1 77 P.S. § 772. Accordingly, we build upon the foundation laid by Stevens v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (Consolidation Coal Co.), 563 Pa.297, 760 A.2d 369 (2000), and Pieper v. Ametek-Thermox Instruments Division, 526 Pa. 25, 584 A.2d 301 (1990), wherein we have made prior relevant interpretations of Section 413(a).

In…