Peter J. Gough

Attorney

    Contact Information

  • Location: Greensburg
  • Office Phone: 888-534-6016
  • Fax: 724-837-1348
  • Email: pjg@qrlegal.com
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Biography

Peter J. Gough joined Quatrini Law Group in 2002 and exclusively represents injured workers. He focuses his practice on Workers’ Compensation, including Heart & Lung, and Act 534/632 Benefits. Peter was one of first lawyers in Pennsylvania to be certified by the Supreme Court as a Workers’ Compensation Specialist, a distinction for attorneys who: devote at least 50% of their practice to Workers’ Compensation law; pass an examination; and re-certify every five years.

Within two years of being admitted to the bar, Peter tackled the then newly developing area of psychological injuries in the workplace. He successfully convinced the Commonwealth Court that if a work-related psychological disability is associated with physical injury, the injured worker need only prove the basic requirements of a workers’ compensation claim: that the injury arose out of and was related to the employment. He successfully argued that a heightened burden of proof does not apply, making it easier for workers who sustain injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder to receive their deserved benefits.  Bell v. WCAB (Allegheny County Housing Department), 620 A.2d 589 (1993).

In HCR ManorCare v. WCAB (Bollman), 951 A.2d 1242 (2008), the Commonwealth Court agreed with Peter’s arguments that a medical provider’s failure to provide medical records as part of procedure to determine if the treatment is reasonable and necessary does not necessarily relieve the insurance company from paying the bills.  The Court adopted Peter’s guidance that the Judge has jurisdiction to determine if proper procedures were followed and if not, why they were not.  The Court also agreed that the Judge has the authority to order a whole new procedure.  This important decision saved many injured workers from getting stuck with medical bills caused by their work injuries.

Peter has written and lectured on workers’ compensation throughout Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and The Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. He co-authored the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Fee Agreements in Western Pennsylvania and has been a guest speaker on The Legal Checkup 1480 WCNS AM Radio and Legal Tip Tuesday

Peter has authored several articles, among the most recent include traumatic brain injuries, emotional injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression stemming from the work environment, and the significance and frequency of injuries affecting those in the healthcare industry.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, raised on Long Island, and a graduate of The University of Buffalo, Peter came to the Pittsburgh area to attend law school and achieved his Juris Doctor from Duquesne Law School in 1990.  He fell in love with Western Pennsylvania and has been practicing law, primarily civil litigation and workers’ compensation law, ever since, representing thousands of injured people in Westmoreland, Allegheny, Indiana, Washington, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Blair, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Armstrong, Clarion, Venago, Crawford, Warren, Centre, Clearfield, Mckean, Lycoming and Erie Counties.

Peter devoted 10 years volunteering for Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, serving on the Scholarship, Outreach, and Run/Walk Committees. Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania is a charitable organization that awards scholarships to kids of severely injured workers. Since its inception, KCPA has awarded over two million dollars in scholarships to deserving kids.

Peter lives in Penn Township and can frequently be seen hiking the trails of Western Pennsylvania. Peter’s amazing daughter attends the University of Buffalo (just like her Dad!). Peter’s other passions include playing, writing, and listening to rock/indie music (favorite instruments are guitar and bass); running; skiing; and mountain biking.

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist

Bar Admissions

  • U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania

Education

  • J.D., Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University (formerly Duquesne University School of Law), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1990
  • B.A., cum laude, State University of New York, Buffalo, 1984

Representative Cases

Published Works

  • Co-Author, Fee Agreements in Pennsylvania, Workers’ Compensation Chapter, Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Classes/Seminars

  • Lecturer, Workers’ Compensation

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
    • Workers’ Compensation Section
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
    • Workers’ Compensation Section
  • Westmoreland County Bar Association

Pro Bono Activities

  • Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, 2013-2023
    • Board Member, 2013 to 2023
    • Outreach Committee
    • Scholarship Committee
    • Run/Walk Committee