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Susan E. Baker

Of Counsel

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Overview

Susan Baker joined the firm in 1992 after practicing as a registered nurse for ten years in community and occupational health. Since that time, Sue has grown a very successful practice representing employers in workers’ compensation cases and employment law matters, providing advice and counsel based on her knowledge of each client’s business operations and personnel. Sue possesses extensive knowledge of OSHA, EEOC, and OCRC policies and procedures and represents her clients in Ohio’s courts and before administrative law judges in OSHA matters. Sue has the experience to handle workers’ compensation claims swiftly and economically. She earned her certification as an Ohio State Bar Association Specialist in Workers’ Compensation in 2006 and has since shared her knowledge in workers’ compensation as a lecturer at a number of continuing legal education seminars.

Outside the office

Sue and her husband Jim have been married for 45 years and still live in the house they built in Creston, Ohio in 1977. They have two children, Brian and Rachael, who both live and work in Wayne County and who have blessed the family with five grandchildren.  Sue enjoys all things outdoors and is an avid equestrian. She enjoys trail riding and camping with her horses and visiting and hiking in the National Parks. She also loves animals and tends to collect them. Her menagerie currently includes two horses, a dog, five cats, and sixteen chickens.

Education

Case Western Reserve University, J.D., International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for Trial Advocacy

Ashland University, B.S., Nursing, magna cum laude, Ashland University Academic Hall of Fame

Admissions

Ohio

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Certifications

Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation (2006-present)

Experience

  • Prevailed in State ex rel. Kelsey Hayes Co. v. Grashel before the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Court held that a former employee of Baker’s client was not entitled to compensation for permanent total disability (PTD) based on his voluntary abandonment of the workforce.
  • Prevailed in the Supreme Court of Ohio in the matter of State ex rel. Griffith v. Indus. Comm., successfully arguing that the Appellant was correctly denied Temporary Total Disability Compensation (TTD).
  • Successfully argued in an Ohio Court of Appeals that an injured worker was not entitled to Temporary Total Disability on the ground that the worker had voluntarily abandoned work with her employer by violating a written work rule or policy. See, State ex rel. Apostolic Christian Home, Inc. v King.
  • Successfully defended a client in an Ohio Court of Appeals case against claims of retaliatory discharge following former employee’s complaint to OSHA regarding alleged unsafe working conditions, as well as the filing of a workers’ compensation claim. See Carpenter v. Bishop Wells Services Corp.

Recognitions

  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America© for Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers (2013-2024)
  • Named by The Best Lawyers in America© Akron “Lawyer of the Year” for Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers (2019, 2021)
  • Selected as an Ohio Super Lawyer in Workers’ Compensation (2008-2023)
  • Elected Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (2013)

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
    • Workers’ Compensation Committee, Chair (2013-2015)
  • Medina County Bar Association
  • Wayne County Bar Association

In the Community

  • Summa Health Systems, Trustee, Care Delivery Board (2014-2015)
  • Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital Foundation, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Wayne Economic Development Council (2015-present)
    • Former Chair, Board of Trustees
  • American Red Cross, Wayne County Chapter, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Holmes County Goodwill Industries, Inc. Chair, Board of Trustees

Speaking Engagements

  • Frequent lecturer – Advanced Workers’ Compensation continuing education seminars

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