Working through a workers' compensation claim can be a long and tedious process that involves many outside parties and steps. Are you able to confidently represent your clients? Do you know what strategies to employ in order to prevent any costly mistakes and attain the best possible results? Don't rely on your cursory knowledge of procedures and risks to get you through the case. Explore the comprehensive nature of a workers' compensation claim and know the process from start to finish. Order today!

1. Case Law and Legislative Update
2. Workers' Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements (WCMSA)
3. Assessing the Injury and Case
4. Mediation Practices
5. Settlement Methods
6. Pre-Hearing Conferences
7. Preparing for and Presenting at the Hearing
8. Appeals Procedures
9. When to Sue in Conjunction With Workers' Compensation
10. Ethical Issues in Workers' Compensation

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. Case Law and Legislative Update
   9:00 - 9:30, Keith J. Kasper
2. Workers' Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements (WCMSA)
   9:30 - 10:00, Heidi S. Groff
1. Compromise vs. Communication
2. Low Dollar Threshold
3. Calculating the Total Settlement Amount
4. Submitting MSA's to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
3. Assessing the Injury and Case
   10:00 - 10:30, John William Valente
4. Mediation Practices
   10:45 - 11:15, Keith J. Kasper
1. Requesting Mediation
2. Documents to Prepare and Present
3. Mediation Procedures
4. Post-Mediation Process
5. Settlement Methods
   11:15 - 11:45, Keith J. Kasper
1. When to Settle vs. Pursue a Claim
2. Agreement for Settlement
3. Compromise Settlement
4. Contingent Settlement
5. Combination Settlement
6. Lump Sum Payments
7. Full or Partial Commutation
8. Negotiation Tips
9. Pitfalls to Avoid
6. Pre-Hearing Conferences
   12:45 - 1:15, John William Valente
1. Pleading the Case
2. Complying with Deadlines and Orders
3. Continuances
7. Preparing for and Presenting at the Hearing
   1:15 - 2:00, John William Valente
1. Where and How to Locate Experts
1. Doctors
2. Rehabilitation Experts
2. Preparing Your Experts
3. Discovery Techniques
1. Depositions
2. Interrogatories
3. Medical Examinations
4. Surveillance
4. Evidence Admissibility and Submission
5. Questions to Ask Witness
6. Cross-Examining Experts
7. Proving the Causal Relationship
8. Agreed Proposed Decisions and Orders
9. What Key Decision-Makers Look For
10. Keys to Building and Winning Your Case
8. Appeals Procedures
   2:00 - 2:30, Keith J. Kasper
1. When an Appeal Makes Sense
2. Administrative
3. Judicial Proceedings
9. When to Sue in Conjunction With Workers' Compensation
   2:45 - 3:30, Heidi S. Groff
1. Product Liability
2. Toxic Tort
3. Third-Party Injuries
4. Medical Malpractice
5. Subrogation Considerations
6. Recovery of Liens
10. Ethical Issues in Workers' Compensation
    3:30 - 4:30, Heidi S. Groff
1. Scope of Discovery
2. Communication with Injured Party and Medical Providers
3. Conflicts Between the Insurer and the Insured
4. Disclosure Obligations
5. Attorneys Fees

HEIDI S. GROFF is a partner in the law firm of Biggam, Fox & Skinner in Montpelier, where she focuses her practice on workers' compensation, personal injury, and long-term disability claims. Ms. Groff is a frequent lecturer at meetings of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association and the Vermont Bar Association on the topics of workers' compensation. She earned her B.A. degree from The Ohio State University, and her J.D. degree from Vermont Law School. Ms. Groff is a member of the Vermont Bar Association, and the Vermont and American Trial Lawyers associations.

KEITH J. KASPER is a partner in the Burlington law firm of McCormick, Fitzpatrick, Kasper & Burchard, P.C., where he practices in the area of workers' compensation. Mr. Kasper is a lecturer on business law at the University of Vermont. He was an editor in chief of Rutgers Law Journal. Mr. Kasper earned his B.A. degree from the University of Vermont, and his J.D. degree, with honors, from Rutgers University Law School. He is a member of the Vermont (co-chair Worker' Compensation Committee) and Chittenden bar associations.

JOHN WILLIAM VALENTE is a partner in the Rutland law firm of Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd. His practice includes representing businesses and insurance carriers in the defense of workers' compensation and employment related lawsuits. He has successfully tried numerous cases over the years before the Vermont Superior Courts and the Vermont Department of Labor and Industry. Mr. Valente has argued cases before the Vermont Supreme Court on workers' compensation issues. He provides training to companies to improve their experience with workplace injury claims. He represents and advises companies on employment and human resources issues. Mr. Valente also practices in the area of education law, representing school boards and districts with regard to employment matters and student discipline. He is the author of the book, Understanding Workers' Compensation: Managing Workplace Injuries and Lowering Costs, and has written numerous articles published in regional and national periodicals on subjects involving workplace injury management. Mr. Valente earned his B.A. degree from Boston College, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Suffolk University School of Law. He is a member of Rutland County and Vermont bar associations, the Defense Research Institute, the Northern New England Defense Counsel Association, the Society for Human Resources Management, and the Greater Rutland Area Personnel Executives.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com