R. Christopher Doyle has an extensive background in the administrative aspects of the workers’ compensation law of Ohio. His workers’ compensation practice includes representation of clients in trial and appellate courts in Ohio. Beyond Ohio, Mr. Doyle has responded to clients’ needs for analysis of workers’ compensation issues arising in a number of states.
Mr. Doyle’s practice is focused on administrative hearings before the Industrial Commission and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. He has represented many public and private employers in disputed injury and occupational disease claims statewide. He has also participated in many issues involving self-insured employers, including self-insured applications and renewals, self-insured complaints, noncompliance by self-insurers, and the self-insured administrative rules.
Additionally, he has represented clients before the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation on a variety of risk, coverage and premium issues. Mr. Doyle has assisted clients with issues that arise from the managed medical care system, whether the client is an employer, MCO or provider.
Mr. Doyle is the former Chief Staff lawyer of the Industrial Commission of Ohio. In this capacity, he trained 45 District Hearing Officers for positions in the Industrial Commission’s statewide offices. In addition, he was the editor of the Industrial Commission’s Hearing Officer Manual, a comprehensive set of policies which affect all levels of administrative practice before the Industrial Commission.
Mr. Doyle’s prior experience with the Industrial Commission included the positions of District Hearing Officer, Staff Hearing Officer, and Assistant Legal Director. As part of his duties with the Industrial Commission, he was a frequent speaker at workers’ compensation meetings and seminars before labor and business groups.
Mr. Doyle is a member of the American, Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations.