Griffiths v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board

OPINION

Chief Justice CASTILLE.

This Court granted review to determine: (1) whether a van modified to make it wheelchair accessible for a workers’ compensation claimant rendered a quadriplegic by a work-related injury is an “orthopedic appliance” under Section 306(f.l)(l)(ii) of the Workers’ Compensation Act (“the Act”), 77 P.S. § 531(l)(ii); and (2) whether the cost containment provision in Section 306(f.l)(3)(i) of the Act, 77 P.S. § 531(3)(i), is applicable in this instance. We hold that the van, and not merely the wheelchair lift and modifications installed in the van, may qualify as an…