Michael J. Pontarolo is a principal in the Spokane law firm of Delay, Curran, Thompson, Pontarolo & Walker PS. A 1973 graduate of Gonzaga School of Law, his legal emphasis is in Worker’s Compensation disability law and served as an Adjunct Professor of Worker’s Compensation at Gonzaga beginning in 1987. He acted as lead counsel and/or co-brief writer in numerous cases before the Washington Court of Appeal, Division III and Washington Supreme Court addressing Workers Compensation issues. He was elected President of Spokane County Bar Association, Vice President-East of the Washington State Trial Lawyers and 5th District Representative to the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors (2003-2006). He’s a member of the American Bar Association, Washington Association for Justice fka Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Spokane County Bar Association and formerly a member of the American Association for Justice fka Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Having held Chair and/or membership positions on state and local Bar committees, he was an Adjunct Investigative Counsel and Special Disciplinary Counsel for the Washington State Bar Association, and attorney member to the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct and served on the Board of Directors of Columbia Legal Services. In 2009 he was awarded the Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award by the Spokane County Bar Association.
MP
Michael J. Pontarolo
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003 Awarded Practice Areas
Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
Works at
Delay, Curran, Thompson, Pontarolo and Walker PS
2 Best Lawyers awards
Biography
Works at
Delay, Curran, Thompson, Pontarolo and Walker PS
2 Best Lawyers awards
Locations
Education
- Gonzaga University, J.D., graduated 1973
- Gonzaga University, Bussiness Admin, graduated 1969
Affiliations
- Spokane County Bar Association - member
- Washington Association for Justice - Member
- American Association for Justice - Member
- American Bar Association - member
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for work in:
- Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
Special Focus:
- Litigation
- Occupational Disease
- Social Security Disability
Awards:
- President Spokane Bar Association
- Member, Board of Governors, Washington State Bar Association
- 2009 Professionalism Award, Spokane Bar Associaition
Case History
Cases
- Britton v. Safeco Insurance Company, 104 Wn.2d 518, 707 P.2d 203 (1985)
Under Washington Workers Compensation the State and/or Self Insured employer have full subrogation rights against all funds received by an injured worker from third parties due due to negligence of third parties. This case exempted the injured worker''s uninsured motorist proceeds from any subrogation claim even if it resulted in double recovery to the injured worker.
- Ochoa v. Dept of Labor and Industries, 143 Wn.2d 422, 20 P.3d, 939 (2001)
Under Washington Workers Compensation law, jockeys were statutorily excluded from coverage. This case held that jockeys are excluded but only when they are involved in a "race meet" and not while they may be performing other activities as a jockey.
- McIndoe v. Dept. of Labor and Industries, 144 Wn.2d 252, 25 P. 3d 903 (2002)
The Washington Supreme court held in McIndoe that an injured worker could be declared totally and permanently disabled and thereafter be found Permanently Partially disabled and received benefits for both classifications.
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