Schedule/Sessions
Keynote - A Piece of the Puzzle: Eight Traits of a Quality Teammate
How well do the members of your organization or team work together? Are you a smooth, well-oiled machine or a fractured collection of in-it-for-yourself individuals? In a straight forward no-excuses style, Kevin Kush discusses eight traits that can turn any group or organization into a cohesive, high-performing team. Including; respecting everyone, handling adversity, adapting to change, and the importance of having high energy and being accountable. Coach Kush’s passion for performance is contagious and will help lead your team to greater productivity and success!
Back to topSESSION 1 - Using Evidence Based Medicine to Facilitate Settlements and Improve Claims Outcomes
- Speakers:
Kenneth Eichler, Work Loss Data Institute
Del Malec, Allianz Resolution Management
Jessica Smythe, ISO Claims Partners
This advanced session will explore the use of Evidence Based Medicine as a key tool in the claims handling and Medicare compliance process by providing an objective basis for the determination of appropriate optimal care for injured workers with a focus on improved medical and functional outcomes. The application of the evidence for treatment and pharmaceutical options not only provides a more accurate basis for expediting claims handling, utilization review, authorization of medical treatment and cost projections reflecting appropriate quality care. When the objective evidence is presented to injured workers, treating physicians and involved stakeholders, agreement to the best treatment options can be obtained, resulting in elimination of the need for inappropriate suboptimal treatment excessive cost projections or, treatments which, in reality, are not in the best interests of the claimant and will or should never be rendered. Allocating for all medications prescribed over the two years prior to the MSA with dangerous drug interactions and contra indications, and life threatening combined dosages rather than the current appropriate medication regime supported by the treating medical providers is further counter-intuitive to best practices in claims handling and improving outcomes. The legal implications and effectiveness of the use of IMRs and other jurisdictionally based legal defenses in MSA submissions will also be detailed.
SESSION 2 - A Practical Guide to Managing the Defense Counsel/Insurer Relationship
- Speakers:
Deborah Molitz, Self Employed
Matt Morrison, AFICS
Scott Rembold, Rembold Hirschman
Eric Tonnsen, Tonnsen Bach Law Firm
This session will address best practices for both counsel and claims professionals in managing the DC/Insurer relationship, making the team effort more efficient in working towards effective and economical claims resolution. The panel will address such elementary topics as efficient communication between and amongst the team, but also methods to enhance the coordination and execution of resolution action plans to minimize cycle time, defense spend, and indemnity payouts.
SESSION 3 - Leveraging Diversity - The Competitive Edge!
- Speakers:
Jaci House, Kiewit Corporation
Robert Johnson, Self Employed
Ann Marie VonBank, Ringler
Christine Westberg Dorn, Mooney, Lenaghan, Westberg Dorn, L.L.C
The topic of Diversity in the Legal Profession is complex. On the one hand, the progress in this area has been slow and frustrating. Everyone agrees that it is necessary and a value-add, however no one has truly figured out how to maximize it to their advantage. This panel will discuss their perspectives regarding how legal diversity can be leveraged to create an atmosphere where diverse ideas and viewpoints can exist as a result of hiring diverse outside counsel and how it can potentially improve claim handling and litigation management.
Back to topSESSION 4 - EEOC Focus on LGBT Employment Matters: Expanding Title VII's Protections, Transgender Accommodations & the Effect of Marriage Equality
- Speakers:
Seth Brickman, Business Risk Partners
Dove Burns, Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell and Hippel LLP
Kristine D'Amato, Crum & Forster
Reshma Khanna, Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP
The EEOC is setting its sights beyond legislation and representation of LGBT employees to shaping the do’s and don’ts of the workplace. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is only prohibited in some states and is not included within Title VII’s protections. However, the Commission’s strategic enforcement plan for 2016 specifically identifies, as an enforcement priority, coverage of LGBT individuals under Title VII's sex discrimination provisions. This exacerbates the existing tension between the EEOC guidelines and federal law. Between the EEOC’s guidelines and litigation on behalf of transgender employees and the current state of the law in this area, it is unclear how far employers must go to accommodate transgender employees. From bathrooms, bullying and accommodations, the potential for liability is real and education is necessary.
While there is no requirement to provide benefits to employees’ spouses, the EEOC takes the position that failing to offer benefits to same-sex couples that are offered to opposite-sex couples runs afoul of Title VII. This begs the question, what benefits must be extended in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges?
SESSION 5 - Investigating Catastrophic Product Failures: Learn from Others' Mistakes
- Speakers:
Christian Casson, Vela Insurance Services LLC
Randolph Harris , Harris Fire Forensics
Robert Keith, Engles, Ketcham, Olson & Keith, P.C.
A product failure occurs involving a trailer’s wheel assembly causing a traumatic injury to an innocent bystander. Law enforcement initiates an investigation, impounds the tractor and trailer and performs an inspection to determine whether the owner/operator violated any part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. A large claim is going to be asserted on behalf of the injured party and the owner/operator’s equipment has been impounded. Steps need to be taken to protect the interests of the owner/operator.
The presentation will give owner/operators, their insurers and their attorneys’ guidance via a real example of product failure as to how to protect the interests of all involved. The presentation will focus on the development of a rapid response investigation including identifying the scope an role law enforcement will play in the investigation; what to do when the product is returned to your custody and how to get it back in service as quickly as possible; reviewing applicable regulations to determine your investigative strategy; identifying and preserving key pieces of evidence; retaining a “custom” witness; and preserving witness information and statements.
This interactive seminar will create collaborative conversations to aid all in developing better techniques into product failure investigations that will aid all members of the industry, client, insurance and legal, in being better prepared when catastrophe strikes.
No Learning Objectives Available