Michael Pantig

Michael Pantig has been defending workers' compensation claims since 2004. His number one goal is to get the best outcome for the client, from laying out the best options for an early settlement to taking cases all the way to the California Supreme Court.

In 2005, Michael successfully appealed a workers' compensation case to the California Court of Appeals and won, arguing that there are limits to the Commercial Traveler Rule. (See Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd. and John Moody, 134 Cal.App.4th 1316 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th Dist. 2005).

In 2015, a year before California legalized marijuana for recreational use, Michael successfully submitted a Petition for Reconsideration in a case where the WCJ awarded reimbursement for self-procured medical marijuana. The Appeals Board sent the case back to the WCJ to determine whether a workers' compensation carrier insurer is a "health insurance provider" and excused from paying for medical marijuana.

Michael will take a case to trial early on if warranted. For example, he won at trial before the client incurred extensive litigation and medical-legal expenses, by arguing that the applicant was not an employee of the company he sued. (See Felix Hernandez vs. Compare Carpets and Hard Floors, Inc. , ADJ1035827 - December 2017)

Michael knows it is always important to present the client with opportunities to resolve the case. Michael strives to provide clients with the information and recommendations necessary for clients to make informed decisions on settling or litigating at any given time during the life of a case.

Michael studied and graduated from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. He was a judicial extern for Honorable Judge James M. Ideman of the US. District Court, Central District of California following his second year in law school. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. When he is not practicing law, Michael enjoys spending time with family and has a long list of eclectic interests.