The California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) will conduct a one-day case law seminar in May in both Long Beach and San Francisco. The program will examine how recent trends in decisional law are affecting California workers’ compensation, and will cover appropriate negotiation and defense strategies for attorneys, claims personnel, hearing reps, case managers, and others with negotiating authority.    

This is the 17th year that CWCI has conducted its case law seminar, and CWCI General Counsel Mike McClain has moderated the seminars since their inception. McClain notes, “The legislative overhaul of the system that began with the passage of SB 863 in 2012 continues to unfold, which has led to disputes and litigation in many key areas. As a result, the courts are playing a huge role in determining the outcomes of many of the major elements of reform – including those affecting liens, medical treatment disputes, permanent disability rating, and apportionment. As the rulings are handed down, it is critical that those responsible for delivering benefits and defending claims stay on top of the changes and understand current case law. These seminars will include an update on recent rulings, with a focus on the practical impact of case law for those with negotiating authority. Our faculty consists of Michael Marks and Saul Allweiss of the Offices of Allweiss & McMurtry, and Richard Jacobsmeyer of Shaw, Jacobsmeyer, Crain & Claffey, all of whom are among the top workers’ compensation attorneys in the state,and all of whom have both applicant and defense experience. As in the past, this year’s program will use a debate-style format to present alternate views on recent decisions and insights into what they mean for those trying to deliver benefits or defend claims.”

CWCI will present the seminar from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18 at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach, and repeat the program on Wednesday, May 20 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Tuition is $375, with a $100 discount available to CWCI member company employees. The fee includes a syllabus with summaries of significant decisions and full citations, Continental breakfast and lunch. Preregistration and prepayment are required. For details or to register online, click the “Seminar” button at http://www.cwci.org/, or if you have questions or need accommodation of special needs, call 510-251-9470.