Sandra Crawford currently serves in the role of Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Previously, Ms. Crawford was appointed to the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Appeal Board by Governor Edward G. Rendell in December 2009. The Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board hears appeals from the Decision and Orders of approximately 90 workers’ compensation judges throughout the Commonwealth in cases involving traumatic injuries, occupational diseases and fatal claims arising in the course of employment. As a member of the Board, Ms. Crawford managed a large caseload which included presiding over oral arguments throughout the Commonwealth, reviewing litigation records in their entirety, overseeing the drafting of opinions from contract writers and attorneys in Harrisburg, and ultimately adjudicating the appeals which are filed from decisions generated by Workers’ Compensation judges across the State. As commissioner, she was responsible for resolving a variety of issues such as whether an employment relationship existed, whether an injury was sustained in the course of employment, who among several employers was liable for a claim, whether an accident was the cause in fact of a claimant’s injuries, matters of insurance coverage, and the various defenses under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Prior to her appointment to the Workers Compensation Appeal Board, Ms. Crawford was a practicing attorney in the Philadelphia area for thirteen years, practicing in the areas of workers’ compensation and insurance defense. She began her legal career with the Philadelphia law firm of Wilbraham Lawler & Buba in their workers’ compensation Division, focusing her practice on defending workers’ compensation claims. Ms. Crawford later accepted a position with the law firm of Rawle and Henderson and continued to focus on workers’ compensation and insurance defense claims. As a senior associate, she was promoted to department supervisor where she managed the legal team in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation department before subsequently being appointed to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board.
Ms. Crawford received her undergraduate degree from Hampton University, an HBCU in Hampton, Virginia, where she graduated with a BA in Political Science. Thereafter, she attended Temple University Beasley School of Law where she earned her law degree. Ms. Crawford also holds a certification in workplace investigations.
Email: sacrawford@pa.gov
