Rolling up our sleeves and working hard for WC Reform! The 10th Annual Workers’ Compensation and Safety Conference will include updated topics, and new, valuable information for Illinois Employers. Anyone who is involved in controlling the costs of workers’ compensation or safety issues will find the workshops and general sessions valuable.

Tentative Agenda - Subject to Change

7:30 – 8:30 am Conference Opens - Registration, Continental Breakfast, Networking and
                             Visiting with Exhibitors
8:30 – 8:45 am Welcome & Opening Remarks - by Jay Shattuck, Executive Director,      
                          Employment Law Council, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
8:45 – 9:45 am  Opening Session  - What Recent Data Identifies as Illinois Cost Drivers and How Best to Overcome Them presented by Shuaib Ahmed, ASA Law Group View Shuaib's bio here
9:45 – 10:15 am Morning Break & Visit Exhibitors
10:15 – 11:05 am First Series of Workshops 

Workshop #1: Illinois Workers' Compensation Fraud - Presenter Norm Burdick, Garofalo, Schreiber & Storm, Chartered View bio here
This topic will focus on four areas: Change at the Illinois Department of Insurance Workers' compensation Fraud Unit (WCFU); Review of the Workers' Compensation Fraud Statute and the Case Law Interpreting the Statute; Once Fraud is suspected, how to build a fraud case for referral to the WCFU; and Recent case studies of Fraud cases that have been resolved.

Workshop #2: How to Survive an OSHA Inspection From an Ex-OSHA Guy  - Presenter Nick Walters, Safety Control Technology

Workshop #3: Evaluation of the Injured Shoulder - Cost Effective Management - Presenter Dr. Charles Bush-Joseph, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush - View bio here

11:10 – 12:00 pm Second Series of Workshops 

Workshop #1:Why Weight Matters with Workplace Injuries-  Presenter Eric Chehab, M.D., Illinois Bone & Joint Institute View bio here
Participants in this workshop will learn the orthopedic effects of obesity on joints, and why weight management is critical to the outcomes for patients with lower extremity injuries. Participants will also learn the factors that affect weight and metabolism, and how our understanding of obesity has evolved. Finally, with this understanding of the causes of obesity, we can direct treatment in novel ways that are in reach for the injured patient.

Workshop #2: Ethical Management of Disability & Employment Law Concerns Arising in Workers' Comp Claims  - Shawn Biery, Bradley Smith, and John Campbell, Keefe Campbell Biery & Associates View John's bio here     View Shawn's bio here       View Brad's bio here
Join attorneys John Campbell, Brad Smith & Shawn Biery of Keefe, Campbell Biery & Associates for their lively take on workers' compensation claim issues impacted by other employment and disability laws. They will discuss how the concerns can arise, how to avoid additional causes of action developing, proper handling strategies when allegations arise or accommodations are requested, including maintaining your ethical obligations. The attorneys will present unique thoughts on managing claims in and out of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Don't let yourself get behind your competitors in dealing with all angles of your Workers' Compensation claims in Illinois.

Workshop #3: Lost Time Benefits : Where Does Your Claim Fit? – Presenters Terry Donahue and Allison Mecher, Inman & Fitzgibbons, Ltd.  View Allison's bio here     View Terry's bio here
Whether lost time benefits must be paid is one of the most frequently asked questions we get as defense counsel for workers’ compensation claims at Inman & Fitzgibbons, Ltd. This has been an especially hotly contested issue since the Interstate Scaffolding decision was decided by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2010. In this presentation, we will examine the current status of the law regarding payment of temporary total disability (TTD) and temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits, and discuss common situations that arise involving payment of TTD/TPD and how to handle those situations from a defense standpoint. 

12:00 – 12:35 pm Break and Visit Exhibitors
12:20 - 1:45 pm Luncheon with Joann Fratianni, Chairman, Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission - Chairman's Remarks and Overview and Update of the Commission's IT Project
1:45 – 2:45 pm  Panel Discussion on Workers' Compensation Rate Regulation with Q&A Moderated by Jay Shattuck, Executive Director, Employment Law Council, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
Panelist: Dan Klaras, President, Assurance Agency View Dan's bio here
Panelist: Matthew Zender, VP - WC Product Manager, AmTrust North America View Matthew's bio here
Panelist:
Panel will Discuss:  How Workers’ Compensation Rates are determined; How a Company Applies NCCI advisory Rates; What Kind of Disruption in the Marketplace Would a File and Use Law Create: and What should an Employer Do if they are Unsatisfied with their Workers’ Compensation Premium

2:45 – 3:00 pm Drawings for Prizes & Closing Remarks - Adjournment

For more information or sponsorship information call Laurie Silvey at (217) 522-5512 ext 223 or lsilvey@ilchamber.org

Exhibitors

CompAlliance
Frasco Investigative Services
Zelis Healthcare
Toxicology Management
Illinois ESGR
Kids Chance of Illinois
Inman & Fitzgibbons, Ltd.
Keefe Campbell Biery & Associates
Illinois Bone & Joint Institute
ASA Law Group
Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
UPS
Physicians Immediate Care
Medical Consultants Network
Abacus Research
Bio Kinetix
Garofalo Schreiber Storm Chartered
Safety Controls Technology
McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips
Triune Health Group
Meridian Investigative Group

Sposnorships and Exhibitor spaces still available - Call Laurie Silvey at (217) 522.5512 ext 223 or lsilvey@ilchamber.org