Court Opinion

ID: 9646716
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 13:08:52.990951+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:11:41.069532
License: Public Domain

*275ROBERTS, Justice,
concurring.
I agree that this case should be remanded to the Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board for consideration of reinstatement of appellant’s claim.
The three year statute of limitations acts as a presumptive bar to the filing of a claim beyond three years from the knowledge of injury, whether that claim is being filed for the first time or as reinstatement of a previously withdrawn claim. Nonetheless, circumstances have been recognized which will extend the right to file a claim petition. See Helstrom v. Commonwealth, Workman’s Compensation Appeal Board, 43 Pa.Cmwlth. 113, 116, 401 A.2d 882, 884 (1979).
In the exceptional circumstances of this case, an evidentiary hearing on remand is essential to determine the reasons underlying appellant’s withdrawal of his claim and whether reinstatement is appropriate.
LARSEN, J., joins in this concurring opinion.