The California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) has announced it 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 reshaping California workers’ compensation, and discuss appropriate negotiation and defense strategies for claims personnel, attorneys, hearing reps, case managers, nurses, rehab professionals and others with negotiating authority.

This is the 15th year that the Institute has conducted the program, and CWCI General Counsel Mike McClain has moderated the seminars since their inception. McClain notes, "While the courts are still wrangling with issues that have arisen from the 2004 reforms, SB 863, signed by Governor Brown last fall, presents a whole new list of issues for the courts to address. Given the volume and complexity of litigation in California workers’ compensation, 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 includes attorneys Michael Marks and Saul Allweiss of the Law Offices of Allweiss & McMurtry, and Richard Jacobsmeyer of Shaw, Jacobsmeyer, Crain & Claffey, all of whom have both applicant and defense experience. We 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." The 2013 program will explore a wide range of cases and topics, including PD rating; psych issues; medical treatment issues; and lien litigation.

CWCI will present the seminar from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13 at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach, and repeat the program on Thursday, May 16 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Tuition is $395, with a $75 discount available to CWCI member company employees. The fee includes a syllabus with summaries of significant decisions and full citations, Continental breakfast and lunch. The Institute has applied to the State Bar of California as a continuing education provider for attorneys and certificates will be provided for Department of Insurance workers’ compensation claims administrator credits, and for submission to the Association of Hearing Representatives of California.

Preregistration and prepayment are required. For details or to register online, click the "Seminar" button at www.cwci.org, or if you have questions or need accommodation of special needs, call the Institute at 510-251-9470.