James M. Poerio is a founding shareholder of Poerio & Walter, Inc. and one of the most respected workers’ compensation defense attorneys in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. With more than four decades of experience, he has built a nationally recognized practice focused on defending employers, insurers, and self-insured entities in high-exposure workers’ compensation and occupational disease claims.

James has litigated landmark cases that have shaped Pennsylvania workers’ compensation law, including decisions that have saved employers and carriers millions of dollars by limiting unwarranted benefit exposure. His practice includes complex workers’ compensation litigation, federal Black Lung Benefits Act defense, appellate advocacy, and ERISA-related matters, with appearances before trial courts, administrative agencies, and appellate courts at both the state and federal levels.

In addition to his litigation work, James is widely regarded as a thought leader in the workers’ compensation and claims defense community. He is a frequent national speaker, a long-standing leader within the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), and a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Clients rely on him not only for aggressive defense, but for strategic insight grounded in decades of experience and a deep understanding of how claims decisions impact long-term business risk.

"The Black Lung Defense Specialist Who Saves Coal Operators Millions"

James M. Poerio didn't just defend landmark cases - he created the precedents that save Pennsylvania employers millions every year. His victories in Republic Steel v. WCAB and Vitelli v. WCAB established that voluntarily retired claimants can't collect wage-loss benefits - precedents still protecting employers today.

Why Coal Operators Choose Jim:

• 40+ years specializing in federal black lung defense

• Fellow of the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers

• Chairs CLM Workers' Compensation Committee

• AV Preeminent rated for 15+ consecutive years

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 15+ years

Recent Strategic Wins:

• Saved national coal operator $2M through aggressive pre-trial motion practice

• Established medical causation defense saving industry millions annually

• Zero successful black lung claims for 18-month period across 12 operators

Education:

• J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1981)

• B.A., Duquesne University (1977)

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania (1981)

• U.S. District Court, WDPA

• U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th Circuits

Representative Landmark Cases:

• Republic Steel Corp. v. WCAB (Petrisek), 640 A.2d 1266 (Pa. 1994)

• Vitelli v. WCAB (St. Johnsbury Trucking Co.), 630 A.2d 923 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993)