How Legal Research and Legislative History Led to a Landmark Victory: The Story Behind Steets v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (Pa. 2025)

In this episode, Attorney Daniel J. Siegel takes listeners behind the scenes of his landmark victory before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Steets v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (2025) — a decision that reshaped how Pennsylvania courts interpret key provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

What began as a seemingly routine case evolved into a deep dive into the legislative intent, historical context, and statutory interpretation of a decades-old provision. Dan explains how meticulous legal research, analysis of legislative history, and strategic appellate advocacy convinced the Court to clarify — and ultimately correct — long-standing misunderstandings in the law.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How thorough research and historical context can transform a case.
• The methods used to trace legislative history and statutory evolution in Pennsylvania.
• How appellate strategy and clear legal writing can turn complex statutory issues into compelling arguments.
• The broader impact of the Steets decision on injured workers, employers, and practitioners across the Commonwealth.

Part legal analysis, part storytelling, and part lesson in the art of advocacy, this episode illustrates how research-driven lawyering can make new law — and why attention to detail remains one of the most powerful tools in any lawyer’s arsenal.