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2009 Texas Workers’ Comp Forum
Vital Strategies in Claims Management and Cost Control

Are you concerned about the high cost of workers’ comp claims in Texas?

Would you like to take control of your claims to minimize costs and reduce liability?

If so, then you need to attend Council’s 6th Annual Texas Workers’ Comp Forum on September 29-30, 2009, at the Dallas Fairmont Hotel. This conference is geared to address the specific and unique needs of Texas organizations to provide you with the vital compliance updates and best practices you need to manage your workers’ compensation with confidence. When you attend you will acquire the real-world knowledge and practical strategies you can take back to work and implement right away. You will hear strategies to contain your costs, keep up with regulatory changes, reduce risk, and keep employees healthy and safe!

Enlightening Keynote Presentations:

OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL: LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY UPDATE
The State of Texas Workers’ Comp: HB 7 and Beyond—Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?
This session will be a “state of the state” look at workers’ compensation in Texas and how it impacts Texas subscribers and nonsubscribers. Our panel of industry stakeholders will discuss the current impact of HB 7 reforms and trends on the horizon. Find out where things stand in Texas and what you can expect in the future.

Stuart D. Colburn, Esq., Shareholder
DOWNS STANFORD, P.C.

Melissa D. Tonn, MD, MBA, MPH, FAADEP, FACOEM, President and Chief Medical Officer
OCCMD GROUP, PA

Lee Ann Alexander, Assistant Vice President & Legislative Counsel
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

Steven Bent, CAE, CWCP, Executive Director
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF RESPONSIBLE NONSUBSCRIBERS (TXANS)

KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION: CLAIMS MANAGEMENT
Strategic Solutions to Complex Challenges: Take Control of Your Workers’ Comp Program to Reduce Costs and Minimize Risk
Whether you are a subscriber or a nonsubscriber, privately insured or self-insured, there are best practices in claims management that can help you reduce your risks, minimize costs, and maximize employee morale and productivity. In this session, hear what has worked for Texas employers facing real challenges and having real success.

Marilyn E. Hoffmeister, Large Loss Consultant
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES

James E. Huckaby, ARM-P, Director of Risk Management
MESQUITE ISD

KEYNOTE SESSION: HOT TOPIC UPDATE
Taking a Look at Changes in Case Law, Legislation, and Regulation That Will Impact Your Organization
This session will provide you with a complete update on significant workers’ comp court decisions, including the Entergy case, as well as pending legislation and rule changes, with commentary on how they are likely to impact employers and others on the front lines of Texas workers’ comp. Our program chair, Stuart Colburn, will bring you the vital information you need to stay in compliance and reduce your exposure.

Stuart D. Colburn, Esq., Shareholder
DOWNS STANFORD, P.C.

KEYNOTE SESSION: DWC – TDI UPDATE
Emerging Trends at the Division of Workers’ Compensation – Texas Department of Insurance
There have been a lot of changes at the DWC over the last few years, and there will be more changes in the future. In this session, take a look at what you can expect from the TDI and DWC as they work towards a more efficient workers’ compensation system.

Rod Bordelon, Workers’ Comp Commissioner (INVITED)
DIVISION OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION - TDI

Other Conference Highlights:

Practical Advice from the Experts:
Hear from experienced speakers from a variety of Texas workers’ comp-related backgrounds. Speakers include leading workers’ compensation attorneys, risk managers, safety experts, and HR professionals.

Critical Compliance Topics:
Minimize you risk with valuable information that you can take back and share with everyone in your organization. The information covered is timely and important — issues that impact organizations all over Texas, including case law, documentation responsibilities, and legislative trends.

Strategies for Successful Claims Management:
Acquire the essential tactics to minimize risk, handle complex claims, maximize safety and prevention, encourage work/life balance, and work with medical providers; so you can control your costs and help your organization thrive.

Outstanding Networking Opportunities:
Meet other workers’ compensation professionals and solution providers, interact, ask questions, and get real answers.

Take Advantage of These Essential Master Classes:

MASTER CLASS #1: PANEL DISCUSSION
Return-to-Work Programs: Advanced Strategies to Keep Your Employees Productive and Minimize Lost Time (H7734003)
Increases in frequency and severity of workplace injuries and mounting lost workdays can have a devastating impact on an organization’s bottom line. Keeping your employees working after an injury can save you in lost days and impact your costs per claim. In this session, our panel of industry professionals will provide cutting-edge tools to implement a state-of-the-art return-to-work program incorporating transitional-duty, work-hardening, and other proven cost-containment strategies.

• Developing strategies with your health care providers for the early identification of employees who may need medical management and return-to-work plans
• Ensuring that your return-to-work program is in compliance with overlapping requirements of the FMLA and ADA, as well as the treatment and return-to-work guidelines from the DWC
• The importance of job-function matching and physician education to define objective barometers for meaningful transitional duties that will significantly reduce lost workdays
• Finding alternative positions for workers who may have limited skills or physical abilities
• Shareholder buy-in: Encouraging managers and employees to participate in the transitional-work and accommodation process
• Execution of a successful interactive process to realize effective job accommodations
• Taking a look at real-world best practices in return to work and transitional duty

MASTER CLASS #2
Taking Control of the Employment Law and Workers’ Comp Overlap: Managing the ADA, FMLA, and Other Overlapping Employment Laws (H7734004)
This master class will arm you with the in-depth knowledge and tools you need to take control of the treacherous overlap of workers’ compensation and employment law. Jay Wallace, our leading employment law attorney from Gibson, McClure, Wallace & Daniels, L.L.P., will provide practical solutions for employers faced with complex and confusing legal obligations arising from expanded and emerging legislation. Topics to be addressed include:

• Designing employment policies that integrate the various employment and workers’ compensation laws
• Learn how the new Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act will impact your organization and find out how to design a reasonable-accommodations process for injured workers
• Regulatory alert: Revisions in the Family and Medical Leave Act regulations and how this interacts with workers’ compensation
• Finding your way through the complex maze of state and federal leave and disability laws: FMLA, ADA, confidentiality, pregnancy, disability, and workers' comp laws
• Recent developments in workers' comp discrimination and retaliation cases and how to avoid the risks when handling difficult employees
• Protecting your organization when handling injured employees: Document, document, document

Hear from an Outstanding Speaker Lineup Including:

Stuart D. Colburn, Esq., Shareholder
DOWNS STANFORD, P.C.

Wanda Estrada, CWCP, CPDM, RWCS, Health Services Manager
MILLER BREWING COMPANY

J’Don Bollom, Occupational Health Manager, Southern Region
HYATT CORPORATION

Pat Crawford, Return to Work Education Coordinator
DIVISION OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION – TDI

Marilyn E. Hoffmeister, Large Loss Consultant
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES

Dennis Downing, President
FUTURE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES

If you would like to learn more about how the Texas Workers' Comp Forum can help promote your organization's products and services, contact Lanette Hanson, Sponsorship/Exhibition Marketing Director, at 704-561-0242 or via email at lhanson@counciloned.com for further details.

Great speakers - very knowledgeable…
Cristen Wood, HR Generalist, City of Pearland

Great event! Congratulations!
Jorge Tiscareno, EHS/Training Specialist, Lear Corp

I really enjoyed the program this year. I learned a lot of very useful information…
Mellena Nichols, Safety Supervisor, Ruiz Foods

Lots of information …practical, useful, timely and very important information
Teresa Parks, Compliance Manager, Dawson Geophysical

Excellent program - a lot of knowledge…
Beth Sangrey, Plant Nurse, USS Lone Star Steel