Timothy F. Coffey, Esquire

Mr. Coffey has been involved defending casualty litigation claims and specifically handling workers' compensation matters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1991. In 2015, he received the distinction of being certified as a specialist in the Practice of Workers’ Compensation Law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He has been licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1991.

Mr. Coffey received his Bachelor of Arts in 1986 in Pre-Law from The Pennsylvania State University. He then spent two years as a casualty claims adjuster for a third party administrator prior to his law studies at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio in 1988. While at Capital University. Mr. Coffey served as an extern for the Honorable John D. Holschuh of the Federal District Court, Southern District, Eastern Division of Ohio and also clerked for the Industrial Commission of Ohio where he evaluated workers’ compensation claims under that state’s compensation scheme. Mr. Coffey graduated from law school cum laude and was honored as a member of the Order of the Curia.

After graduating from Capital University Law School in 1991, Mr. Coffey has concentrated to workers’ compensation. Mr. Coffey has litigated hundreds of worker's compensation claims, some of which through appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including the seminal matter of Heraeus Electro Nite Company v. W.C.A.B. (Ulrich) 697 A.2d 603 (Pa. Commw. 1997), which limited the exposure of an employer or carrier to pay benefits on a "late answer", by allowing presentation of rebuttal evidence to any element of a claim that was not well pleaded, including legal issues and continuing disability of a claimant. Mr. Coffey’s experience also extends to workers’ compensation subrogation and coverage issues.

Mr. Coffey also practices workers’ compensation in New Jersey and has gained invaluable experience from litigating work injury case in a jurisdiction with a different compensation law. The practice in New Jersey has also provided Mr. Coffey a unique perspective in counseling employers and insurers on cross state workers’ compensation disputes and jurisdictional matters.

In addition to defending workers' compensation matters, Mr. Coffey served as an arbitrator with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas arbitration program and gained experience in third-party personal injury litigation. Mr. Coffey participated with the work group that drafted Act 147 of the Worker's Compensation Act, which Governor Edward Rendell signed into law on October 16, 2006. The legislation developed by the Pennsylvania Chamber Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association benefits employers and claimants by reducing litigation costs and streamlining the adjudication process by expanding mediation.

As an integral part of Rulis & Bochicchio, Mr. Coffey brings to the firm and its clients his professionalism and extensive experience in handling workers' compensation cases in settings ranging from experiences a claims adjuster, arbitrator in civil matters, as well as counsel in large-sized insurance defense firms.

Mr. Coffey currently resides in Lafayette Hill, PA with his wife and their two children. In his spare time, Mr. Coffey is an avid mountain and road cyclist and who regularly participates in charities rides, including a yearly ride for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Education

The Pennsylvania State University, B.A. -Pre-Law 1986
University Park, PA

Capital University Law School, J.D.-1991
Columbus OH

Admissions

Pennsylvania 1991
New Jersey 1991
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 1991
U.S. District Court, New Jersey 1991

Memberships