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In this New Year’s edition of The Jeff Gross Show, host Jeff Gross and co-host Joe Dougherty welcome personal injury attorney Joe Russo. After opening with Eagles and NFL talk, the conversation turns to winter weather hazards and their legal implications. Gross explains how workers’ comp covers employees injured in icy conditions—even those working from home—while Russo highlights third-party negligence claims. Together, they show how collaboration between workers’ compensation and personal injury attorneys ensures injured clients get the full protection they deserve.

Host: Jeff Gross, Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Gross & Kenny, LLP
Guest: Joe Russo, Russo Law Firm
Co-Host: Joe Dougherty

Kicking Off the New Year with Eagles Talk

Joe Dougherty: Welcome to The Jeff Gross Show on WWDB Talk 860. It’s our first broadcast of the New Year, and we’ve got a fantastic guest: Joe Russo from the Russo Law Firm.

Before diving into law, the group started with some Eagles chatter. With the playoffs looming, they discussed Saquon Barkley’s near-record-breaking season and the team’s health heading into the postseason.

Jeff Gross: “I’m glad Saquon is going to be healthy for the playoffs. Health is the most important factor this time of year.”

Joe Russo: “It would’ve been great to see him get the record, but risking injury in a meaningless game wasn’t worth it. They made the right decision.”

The hosts also joked about rivalries, surprising performances from the Giants, and even rising sports salaries like Juan Soto’s record-breaking $765 million contract.

From the Gridiron to the Courtroom

After the sports talk, the focus shifted to the day’s theme: injuries during inclement weather.

Jeff Gross: “We see a lot of slip-and-fall injuries on ice, injuries to knees and backs, shoveling-related injuries, and motor vehicle accidents caused by winter conditions. For workers, many of these result in both workers’ compensation claims and potential third-party claims when another entity fails to clear walkways or lots.”

Joe Russo: “Exactly. That’s where workers’ comp and personal injury overlap. Jeff represents the injured worker through comp, and I step in when negligence from a third party—like a property owner who didn’t shovel or salt—creates another avenue for recovery.”

The Rise of Work-from-Home Claims

Jeff highlighted a growing trend since the pandemic: injuries while working remotely.

Jeff: “If you’re working from home and fall down the stairs while retrieving something from your printer, that can still qualify as a workers’ comp claim. It’s no-fault. Employers often deny these cases at first, but with testimony and medical evidence, they can succeed.”

The hosts noted how insurers frequently resist such claims, but persistence and proper legal representation make a difference.

Personal Injury in Winter Weather

Joe Russo: “In personal injury, winter means more slip-and-falls and car accidents. Unfortunately, many property owners don’t take proper care to clear snow and ice. That’s when we step in to hold them accountable.”

They also discussed property owner responsibilities, which hinge on “reasonableness.” While owners don’t have to shovel mid-storm, they must act within a reasonable time after snowfall ends.

When Cases Overlap

The attorneys explained how their specialties often intersect:

• Workers’ Compensation: Covers injuries that happen while someone is on the job, regardless of fault.

• Personal Injury: Comes into play when negligence by another party—like a property owner, driver, or business—causes or contributes to the accident.

Jeff: “A supermarket employee stacking carts on an icy lot who gets hit by a sliding car has both a comp claim and a third-party claim. That’s where we work together.”

Closing Thoughts

This episode highlighted how winter weather brings not just snow and ice, but also an uptick in injuries that affect workers and everyday people. With strong communication between workers’ comp and personal injury attorneys, injured clients can pursue every avenue of recovery.