Abes Baumann Achieves Prestigious Recognition in 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Three attorneys honored for excellence in Workers’ Compensation Law; Tier 1 ranking for firm
Addressing VA Rumors
Since the start of the year, there have been many rumors circulating about the VA. We
understand your concern about the rumors surrounding the VA this year, but not everything is
true. We are here to ease those concerns and help you understand the truth and decipher what
isn’t.
Hear what Jim has to say about recent news and rumors surrounding the VA here.
Abes Baumann is proud to advocate for veterans and help navigate claims for injuries and
illnesses incurred while in service. For help with your veterans’ benefits, contact Abes Baumann
at 412-228-4786 or click “Talk with an attorney now.”
Abes Baumann Recognized in Latest Edition of Best Law Firms
Abes Baumann was recently recognized in the “Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants” category in the 2025 edition of Best Law FirmsⓇ rankings, a comprehensive guide of the top-performing law firms across 127 practice areas and 188 local jurisdictions.
The Best Law Firms rankings, now in its 15th year, recognizes those distinguished by quality, dedication and expertise.
“For decades, we have advocated for injured workers,” said Abes Baumann partner Thomas Baumann, “and this award reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring our clients receive the benefits they deserve.”
In addition to the firm’s inclusion in the Best Law Firms rankings, partners Thomas Baumann, Jim Burn and Doug Williams have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in AmericaⓇ .
The Best Law Firms and Best Lawyers rankings are meticulously compiled based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes client feedback, peer reviews, industry leader interviews and detailed analysis of law firm data.
VA Adds New Conditions to Presumptive List, Including Male Breast Cancer
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced it is adding three new types of cancer to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposure under the PACT Act.
The following types of cancer are now included in the list of presumptive diseases:
- Male breast cancer
- Urethral cancer
- Cancer of the paraurethral glands
Presumptive service connection means the VA automatically assumes service connection for the disease and provides benefits to eligible veterans who have submitted claims with evidence of a diagnosis. It also allows veterans applying for benefits to skip paperwork establishing their condition as a result of military service, which can significantly reduce wait times during the benefits process.
Last month the VA granted its one millionth claim related to the PACT Act, and over that time frame has paid out more than $5.75 billion to veterans.
Read here for more information on these latest additions to the VA’s presumptive conditions list.
Hurt at work? Doug Williams explains why you should call an attorney.
The workers’ compensation process can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to manage it on your own. If you have been hurt at work, make sure you have someone on your side who will help advocate for you.
Doug Williams, an Abes Baumann partner with more than 25 years of experience in workers’ compensation, helps ensure injured workers receive the benefits they are entitled to.
TRANSCRIPT:
Frequently people call us and they’re not sure whether they need an attorney or not.
If a case is in litigation and it’s before a worker’s compensation judge, the insurance carrier is always going to have an experienced attorney that is representing the insurance carrier. So that’s one good reason to have an attorney.
You want someone that has the same base of knowledge or hopefully even a greater base of knowledge than does the attorney representing the insurance carrier.
Also the Worker’s Compensation Act and the Occupational Disease Act,
and the regulations that the Bureau of Workers Compensation has published.
Interpreting those acts are complicated.
If you print them out,
they come out to about 365 pages. it’s very, very difficult for a layperson to navigate that system and the complexities associated with it without an attorney.