Now Accepting Topic Proposals for 2009!

If you are a workers' compensation professional, share your knowledge and expertise by speaking at our event. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your visibility and promote your organization by presenting at the 2009 New Jersey Workers' Comp Conference. We are looking for your hottest topics and best solutions to challenging issues in workers' compensation.

Please submit a topic proposal, including topic title, short description, and reasons this session will benefit our attendees. Our target conference attendees are higher level workers' comp, risk management, safety, human resource, and benefits professionals who are looking for practical strategies to solve their workers' compensation challenges. Topics can include prevention, legal issues, risk management, wellness, best practices, fraud, cost cutting and other challenges.

The deadline for topic proposals is December 1, 2008.

2008 Agenda 

Thursday, May 8, 2008
7:30 am	8:30 am	Continental Breakfast and Workshop Registration
8:30 am	11:30 am	Choose 1 of 2 Workshops
		Workshop #1:  Combating Fraud, Exaggerated Claims, and Repeat Offenders: Collaborating with Legal, Claims, and Investigations Professionals for Effective Prevention, Detection, and Prosecution (H8819003)
		Workshop #2:  New Jersey Workers' Compensation Law from Soup to Nuts: An A-to-Z Guide to Reduce Your Litigation Risks and Navigate Complex Issues in New Jersey (H8819004)
11:30 am	12:45 pm	Networking Lunch and Conference Registration
12:45 pm	1:00 pm	Opening Remarks from the Chair
1:00 pm	1:30 pm	OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION Legislative Update: Recent Developments in New Jersey Workers' Comp Legislation and What's on the Horizon
1:30 pm	2:45 pm	PANEL DISCUSSION Addressing the Top Challenges in New Jersey Workers' Comp from the Front Lines: Rising Medical Costs, Mismanagement of Claims, Return-to-Work Road Blocks, Petitioner Fraud, and Other Key Issues
2:45 pm	3:15 pm	Break
3:15 pm	4:00 pm	Controlling the Costs of Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Dependency in Workers' Comp: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, RSD, and Pain Management
4:00 pm	5:00 pm	Managing Your Most Difficult Workers' Comp Claimants: Strategies for Dealing with the Day-to-Day Drama While Reducing Liability Risks and Overall Workers' Comp Costs
5:00 pm		Day One Concludes
Friday, May 9, 2008
7:30 am	8:30 am	Continental Breakfast
8:30 am	9:15 am	KEYNOTE SESSION A View from the Bench: A Judge's Perspective on the New Jersey Workers' Comp Judicial Process and How to Enhance Your Chances of Success
9:15 am	10:00 am	Recent Developments in New Jersey Workers' Comp Case Law, Administrative Decisions, and Litigation Trends
10:00 am	10:30 am	Break
10:30 am	11:15 am	Anatomy of Back, Knee, and Shoulder Claims: New Issues and What You Need to Know about Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment
11:15 am	12:15 pm	Successfully Defending Workers' Compensation Claims and Handling Complicated Compensability Issues: Coming and Going, Recreational Claims, Stress Claims, Heart Claims, and More
12:15 pm	1:45 pm	Networking Lunch
1:45 pm	2:45 pm	POINT-COUNTERPOINT PANEL DISCUSSION Critical Tactics for Resolving Your Most Complex Workers' Comp Cases
2:45 pm	3:45 pm	CASE STUDY SUCCESS STORIES: COST CONTAINMENT Proven Strategies for Containing Workers' Comp Costs in New Jersey to Safeguard Your Bottom Line
3:45 pm	4:00 pm	Break
4:00 pm	5:00 pm	PANEL DISCUSSION Postoffer Medical Exams, Fitness for Duty, and Confidentiality Issues in New Jersey Workers' Comp
5:00 pm		Conference Concludes
8:30 am Workshop #1 Combating Fraud, Exaggerated Claims, and Repeat Offenders: Collaborating with Legal, Claims, and Investigations Professionals for Effective Prevention, Detection, and Prosecution (H8819003) Workers' compensation fraud continues to cost New Jersey employers millions of dollars every year. Employers, employees, insurance carriers, and consumers continue to pay the cost of fraud in lost jobs and profits, lower wages and benefits, and higher costs for services and premiums. This interactive three-hour workshop will provide you with an arsenal of strategies to help combat workers' comp fraud. Our panel of industry experts will address the following topics: Detecting the "red flags": Recognizing the different types of workers' comp fraud schemes in New Jersey Preventing workers' comp fraud: Implementing airtight policies and procedures to promote a "zero-tolerance" work environment for fraud Discouraging malingerers: Creating return-to-work incentives for supervisors and employees to get better return-to-work results Implementing sound investigation strategies: Dos and don'ts when conducting investigations to determine the specific causation Interviewing witnesses: Critical questions to ask immediately following the accident that will elicit the information you need Utilizing effective surveillance tips and other techniques: Uncovering workers' comp fraud when faced with a questionable claim Critical documentation: What your accident report should say and other important documentation issues Winning convictions for workers' comp fraud: Essential steps to prepare your case Carla Aldarelli, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. William R. Nortrup, Claims Manager RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY Justin Wilkinson, Account Manager THE PMA INSURANCE GROUP Bryan Varallo, Managing Member CAPCON GROUP Back
8:30 am Workshop #2 New Jersey Workers' Compensation Law from Soup to Nuts: An A-to-Z Guide to Reduce Your Litigation Risks and Navigate Complex Issues in New Jersey (H8819004) The New Jersey workers' comp system is fraught with complexities, and handling claims can be risky business, particularly for those who are not well versed in the laws. The failure to adhere to the many compliance requirements may result in costly fines and expensive liability. This comprehensive workshop will provide you with a definitive A-to-Z guide to handling claims and staying in compliance. Topics to be addressed include: Before the claim happens: Implementing proactive policies to significantly reduce costs later After the claim occurs: Taking critical steps in the first 24 hours following injury or illness to mitigate your potential exposure Conducting an effective investigation: Developing reporting procedures and preparing required documentation Defining compensability: Clarifying coverage and examining the exceptions Calculating workers' comp benefits: Assessing your exposure on workers' compensation claims Avoiding fines and penalties: Ensuring compliance with the New Jersey statutes and regulations Case studies: Analyze real-life scenarios throughout the workshop, and walk away with strategies to apply to your own workers' comp cases Jeffrey D. Newby, Esq., Partner WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP Craig W. Summers, Esq., Partner HILL WALLACK LLP Back
12:45 pm Opening Remarks from the Chair John H. Geaney, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Back
1:00 pm OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION Legislative Update: Recent Developments in New Jersey Workers' Comp Legislation and What's on the Horizon In this opening keynote address, you will hear from Assembly Member David Russo, who has been instrumental in the passage of key workers' compensation legislation in New Jersey. Find out about recent legislative initiatives, the status of pending workers' comp bills, and what legislative changes are needed to address the latest challenges facing stakeholders in the workers' comp system. Assembly Member David C. Russo NEW JERSEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY Back
1:30 pm PANEL DISCUSSION Addressing the Top Challenges in New Jersey Workers' Comp from the Front Lines: Rising Medical Costs, Mismanagement of Claims, Return-to-Work Road Blocks, Petitioner Fraud, and Other Key Issues Join us for what is sure to be an enlightening and lively panel discussion among workers' compensation industry experts and practitioners who will address the top challenges confronting the New Jersey workers' comp system. Discover how certain problems in the system have been perpetuated, resulting in high costs, and hear potential solutions. Issues to be discussed include: Rising medical costs: How to control medical costs without sacrificing quality of care Mismanagement of claims: Failure of claims professionals to follow through and respond to needs of claimants resulting in litigation and claimant abuse of the system Return-to-work road blocks: Stopping the manipulation of the system by claimants who lack incentive to return to work when staying home pays more Medical challenges: What to do when subjective complaints differ from objective findings on examination, and how to convince patients that returning to work will accelerate their recovery Discovery and documentation of injuries: Failure of attorneys and claims professionals to get information from the petitioners to document/verify extent of injuries Moderator: John H. Geaney, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Panelists: Steven G. Crawford, MD, CIME, Corporate Medical Director MERIDIAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Steven M. Matarazzo, Esq., Partner PETRO COHEN PETRO MATARAZZO WARRINGTON Susan O'Malley, Eastern Regional Claims Manager HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Back
3:15 pm Controlling the Costs of Chronic Pain and Prescription Drug Dependency in Workers' Comp: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, RSD, and Pain Management Chronic pain leading to chemical dependency can be catastrophic to the injured worker, the claims team, and the employer. Our presenter is well known for his expertise in pain management and has successfully treated conditions including carpal tunnel, low back pain, lumbar herniated discs, tendonitis, and other injuries. Discover how he has achieved impressive results through his approach to evaluating and treating pain without surgery. Deciphering causation of carpal tunnel syndrome and determining whether it is a work-related injury Understanding RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome) and the best treatment options Diagnostic methods: When to use EMG and NCS The benefits and perils of using morphine pumps and other narcotics to treat chronic pain Adam Sackstein, MD, Anesthesiologist VIRTUA HEALTH Back
4:00 pm Managing Your Most Difficult Workers' Comp Claimants: Strategies for Dealing with the Day-to-Day Drama While Reducing Liability Risks and Overall Workers' Comp Costs The most frustrating workers' compensation issues involve employees who are trying to manipulate the system-staged or exaggerated injuries, repeat claimants, malingerers, and behavior and performance problems. And these claimants can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Hear from leading workers' comp and employment law defense attorneys and an experienced HR director who will provide you with critical policies and practices to put in place for dealing with your most difficult claimants without inviting a lawsuit. Topics include: Implementing an employee injury policy that can help you take control Recognizing the red flags for erratic behavior and taking action Closely monitoring injured employees and repeat claimants Immediate incident reporting and how to ensure that employees do it Conducting prompt and thorough investigations Discipline and termination policies and procedures that can keep you out of court Clarifying your obligations under the ADA and FMLA, and how they stack up with workers' comp benefits How to approach doctors without legal complications: Knowing what questions you can ask Jeffrey D. Newby, Esq., Partner WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP Tracy A. Walsh, Esq., Partner WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP Back
8:30 am KEYNOTE SESSION A View from the Bench: A Judge's Perspective on the New Jersey Workers' Comp Judicial Process and How to Enhance Your Chances of Success In this enlightening keynote session, you will hear from the Honorable Ray Farrington, recently retired Supervising Judge of Workers' Compensation, who will provide you with valuable insights into the New Jersey workers' comp judicial process. Learn how decisions are made, what type of evidence is most persuasive, and what you can do to increase your chances of prevailing in court. Hon. Ray A. Farrington Former Supervising Judge of Workers' Compensation Back
9:15 am Recent Developments in New Jersey Workers' Comp Case Law, Administrative Decisions, and Litigation Trends In this informative session, leading workers' compensation defense attorney John Geaney will provide an update on the latest New Jersey workers' comp decisions and what they will mean for employers and other stakeholders. In addition, you will hear about recent trends in New Jersey workers' comp litigation and what you can do to be proactive. Get up to date on recent court decisions defining: The entitlement of terminated employees to temp benefits The retroactivity of 2004 dependency benefits Workers' comp coverage for injuries during travel and recreational activity claims Rules on bona fide offers and their effectiveness The latest cases on the exclusive-remedy provision John H. Geaney, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Back
10:30 am Anatomy of Back, Knee, and Shoulder Claims: New Issues and What You Need to Know about Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Back, knee, and shoulder claims are having a major impact on New Jersey businesses in the form of time away from work, lost productivity, and costs associated with these claims. Leading orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Decter will provide you with critical insight into the medical issues including injury prevention, diagnosis, causation, treatment options, and return to work. Identifying the key risk factors and implementing strategies to prevent injuries Tools for diagnosing back, knee, and shoulder injuries Evaluating the cause of the injury and the extent of the disability Identifying and implementing the most effective treatment options to achieve maximum recovery The doctor's role in facilitating a successful transition back to work Edward M. Decter, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon CENTER FOR ORTHOPEDICS Back
11:15 am Successfully Defending Workers' Compensation Claims and Handling Complicated Compensability Issues: Coming and Going, Recreational Claims, Stress Claims, Heart Claims, and More The hardest part of any comp professional's job is deciding initially whether to accept or deny a workers' comp claim. Knowing when to deny a claim and knowing what your chances are at trial are critical skills. Stephen Fannon will offer you insights into the major defenses to claims in New Jersey and will help you make the right call on difficult claims. Since work is stressful, why are so few stress cases compensable? Is your company's holiday party a work-related event? Is there 24-hour coverage when your employee travels on business? Suppose your employee is on call: Does that make the ride to work compensable? Is the softball fundraiser for a local charity a work-related event? When is the on-premises heart attack compensable? Stephen T. Fannon, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Back
1:45 pm POINT-COUNTERPOINT PANEL DISCUSSION Critical Tactics for Resolving Your Most Complex Workers' Comp Cases Don't miss this interactive session in which real case scenarios are analyzed by our panelists. Workers' comp defense attorney Stephen Fannon and petitioners' attorney Steven Mattarazzo will go head to head on the toughest workers' comp cases. Judge Farrington will bring the judicial perspective to this lively panel discussion. Audience participation is encouraged, and our panel will provide guidance in resolving your worst-case scenarios. Moderator: John H. Geaney, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Panelists: Hon. Ray A. Farrington Former Supervising Judge of Workers' Compensation Stephen T. Fannon, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Steven Matarazzo, Esq., Partner PETRO COHEN PETRO MATARAZZO WARRINGTON Back
2:45 pm CASE STUDY SUCCESS STORIES: COST CONTAINMENT Proven Strategies for Containing Workers' Comp Costs in New Jersey to Safeguard Your Bottom Line Discover how Verizon and Essex County are benefiting from strategic changes to their workers' comp programs and take away ideas you can implement! Find out what Essex County did to cut $500,000 in medical costs this year and how Verizon decided which third-party administrator to hire and how to manage and evaluate their performance. Our panelists from leading New Jersey organizations will share what they have done to take control of workers' comp costs and how they have achieved impressive results. Discover strategies to: Reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries Get the best possible ROI from your relationships with your TPA, insurance company, and medical providers Implement a successful light-duty program and decrease lost time by getting injured employees back to work faster Regina Short, Claims Manager VERIZON Frank J. DelGaudio, Risk Manager ESSEX COUNTY Back
4:00 pm PANEL DISCUSSION Postoffer Medical Exams, Fitness for Duty, and Confidentiality Issues in New Jersey Workers' Comp Learn what information medical experts need to provide your company with accurate and thorough postoffer and fitness-for-duty examinations that help you make prudent employment decisions and find out how to use leave and disability laws to your advantage. The conventional wisdom is that there is inescapable conflict among the ADA, FMLA, and workers' compensation. That does not have to be the case. These laws can all work together and can be part of an effective workers' compensation program. Topics to be discussed include: Why protecting confidentiality of medical information makes sense How postoffer exams can be a critical tool in defending comp cases Utilizing fitness exams to resolve comp problems and avoid ADA suits Running FMLA time concurrent with comp absences really works Implementing light-duty programs that meet ADA requirements and save money Avoiding vague job descriptions: What you give is what you get Details of the Post Offer Medical Examination Fitness for duty: Setting expectations for the employer and employee Implementing light duty programs that meet ADA requirements and save money Running FMLA time concurrent with comp absences really works John Kulin, DO, FACEP President and Medical Director, OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE SOUTH, P.C. Medical Director, ATLANTICARE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE Robert W. Wainwright, Founder and CEO, Physical Therapist KINEMATIC CONSULTANTS, INC. John H. Geaney, Esq., Shareholder CAPEHART & SCATCHARD, P.A. Back