How the City of Richmond v. Tucker Decision Protects Injured Workers

Corey R. PollardWorkers' compensation & disability attorney · Former insurance defense · Best Lawyers in America®

You get hurt on the job. You expect your employer to step up and help you heal. Instead, you hit a wall of denials, delays, and paperwork.

I know exactly how this happens. I spent the early years of my career representing insurance defense firms. I learned every tactic they use to deny claims and minimize payouts. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation framework is a “cold system.” It protects corporate bottom lines. Today, I use my insider knowledge against them to fight for injured workers across Virginia and Maryland.

Third-party administrators like Sedgwick and Gallagher Bassett rely on wearing you down. Insurance adjusters deploy their Third-Party Administrator (TPA) strategy to delay your Accrued benefits. They challenge your treating physicians when you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). They fight your Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) ratings to save their corporate clients a few dollars.

I refuse to let that happen to my clients. We do not just settle cases at Corey Pollard Law. We litigate to change unfavorable case law. I point to the City of Richmond v. Tucker decision as the perfect example of what happens when you push back against the system.

Shifting the Balance of Power

Insurance companies hate setting legal precedents that favor workers. They prefer quiet settlements that leave their cost-saving tactics intact. We took the City of Richmond v. Tucker case the distance because we knew the outcome would protect thousands of future workers.

The court in this landmark decision stripped away a massive advantage from the defense. Prior to this ruling, insurers used procedural technicalities to delay compensation for legitimate workplace injuries. The Tucker decision closes those loopholes. It forces employers and their insurance carriers to operate with greater accountability.

If you are a first responder dealing with PTSD, a nurse with a severe back injury, or a construction worker facing a catastrophic accident, this ruling directly impacts your case. It removes a layer of friction between you and the medical care you desperately need.

The David vs. Goliath Fight

You face a massive corporation with unlimited resources when you suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or require a spinal fusion. They want you to feel small. They want you to accept less than you deserve. I use my background in insurance defense to anticipate their tactics. I utilize that knowledge exclusively to benefit injured workers.

My team levels the playing field. We treat every case as a vital life issue. We anticipate the insurance company’s next move because we used to write their playbooks. I built this aggressive litigation approach to help us recover more than $100 million for injured workers.

Industry organizations notice this relentless focus. Best Lawyers in America has recognized my work in Workers’ Compensation Law every year since 2020. Super Lawyers names me a Rising Star year after year. I appreciate those awards, but our real victory is forcing a cold system to treat you with dignity.

Securing Your Future

You cannot fight a massive insurance company alone. You need a team who understands their strategy and knows how to break it apart.

I use the City of Richmond v. Tucker decision as just one example of how we shift Virginia case law in your favor. We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus entirely on your physical recovery.

If an insurer is delaying your claim or denying your benefits, you have options. Contact our office in Richmond today, and we will build the aggressive legal strategy you need to secure your financial and medical stability.