By: Laurie Silvey, VP Business Services, President Center for Business Management, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
For the past 15 years, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce has brought together experts from the Workers’ Compensation realm to ensure Illinois employers are up to date on the confusing and often abused workers’ compensation statute. This year’s Workers’ Compensation Conference was held in Lisle on November 2, 2022 with a great agenda full of information.
Aaron Harris, executive director of the Employment Law Council for the Illinois Chamber welcomed everyone and spoke briefly on some updates and information those in attendance would be hearing throughout the day. He then introduced the first speaker of the day, Shuaib Ahmed of ASA Law Group.
Shuaib’s presentation focused on the WCRI Illinois Study on Workers’ Comp Cost Drivers post Covid-Pandemic. He explained that the study looked at how the pandemic impacted the non-Covid 19 only claims during the early pandemic in March – September 2020. Important findings concluded that total costs per claim continued to grow 2% per year in 2020, that there was a longer duration of Temporary Disability and increased wage benefits, and that total costs per claim were higher than other states based on both indemnity payment and medical payments. Shuaib reviewed the study’s look at medical expenses and litigation expenses and Illinois’ rating among other states. He concluded with some final thoughts including implementing an aggressive approach to secure return to work.
Next up were Jynnifer Cotharn and Kevin Deuschle of Inman Fitzgibbons, Ltd. In a presentation sponsored by NovoNordisk, they explored Obesity, Aging, and other Co-Morbidities and their Impact on Workers’ Compensation Claims. Obesity and other co-morbidities can adversely affect the handling outcome of a workers’ comp claim. They looked at cost variables on the front end of claims handling. They discussed claims professional training strategies, post employee hire screening tips, and employee health education as well as general claims techniques to facilitate more efficient handling through the process.
Following a quick break to visit exhibitors, the first series of workshops were held. Ben Friederich, Abacus Research Inc. did his presentation on Investigative Canvassing of medical providers for current and prior medical care and activity. He explained the what, why, when and where of lifestyle canvassing to help shed more light on claims and find possible fraudulent activity.
Peter Stavropoulos and Jeffrey Gibellina of BCM Law were joined by Andrea Dolanski of CCMSI for a panel discussion to highlight how employers, the claims team and defense counsel can work together to contain claim costs, maintain positive contact with injured employees and prepare to defend future claims before they happen.
Dr. Giridhar Burra of the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute examined common workplace injuries of the shoulder. He discussed various diagnoses of the shoulder, how workplace injuries can occur and how a causal connection can be made or eliminated through a logical algorithm applying clinical knowledge.
Dr. Douglas Craig of Atlantic OccuPsych highlighted the ever-evolving roles a psychologist can play in the specialty practice of occupational psychological assessment. He laid out the three major stages in which occupational psychological assessment can be a resource to an employer to mediate risk.
Remote workers are here to stay. Keefe Campbell Biery and Associate attorneys John Campbell and Jim Egan talked through pitfalls and strategies for dealing with those remote workers as it pertains to workers’ compensation.
Lisa Azoory-Keller and Adam Cox of Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzy, and Lowry, P.C. covered permanent restrictions and the next steps. They offered info on navigating through defense options, reviewed some exposure scenarios, and looked at vocational rehab considerations.
After a short breather for lunch and networking, Michael Brennan, chairman of the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission sat down with Aaron Harris in a fireside chat. Chair Brennan discussed the way the commission works, updates to processes and technology and much more in a Q & A format. The audience was also invited to ask questions.
The final session was a roundtable discussion on Cannabis and its Impact on Workers’ Compensation. Peter Stavropoulos of BCM Law provided the legal perspective. Rep. Bob Morgan and Rep. Dan Ugaste provided the legislative perspective. The discussion was lively and in-depth with questions directed at each of the panelists as well as to the general group.
Laurie Silvey, vice president of Business Services for the Illinois Chamber, closed out the day by inviting the exhibitors on stage for a quick overview of their company. Multiple door prizes were handed out and the conference closed for another year. We thank our sponsors and exhibitors for their support and for helping to make this year’s conference a success.
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