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

This is the 18th year that the Institute has conducted the program, which was the brainchild of CWCI General Counsel Mike McClain, who will be retiring after this year’s sessions, and who has moderated each of the programs since their inception. McClain notes, “As reforms have been implemented over the past two decades, there has always been a steady stream of issues that end up being sorted out by the courts. Given the volume and complexity of California workers’ compensation litigation and the challenge of keeping up with the resulting changes, we decided to put together an annual program so that those responsible for delivering benefits and defending claims could stay on top of the changes and understand current case law. The 2016 seminars will include an update on recent rulings, with a focus on the practical impact of case law for those with negotiating authority. Our returning faculty includes attorneys Michael Marks and Saul Allweiss of the 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 morning session  will explore a wide range of cases and topic, covering issues related to medical care, medical dispute resolution, PD and apportionment, while the afternoon will be dedicated to a panel discussion of what’s new followed by a question and answer session.

CWCI will present the seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, May 23 at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach, and repeat the program on Wednesday, May 25 at the Parc 55 Hotel 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, lunch and afternoon break.

CWCI will be submitting an application to the State Bar of California to obtain MCLE credits (5 hours) for this program, and certificates will be provided for Department of Insurance workers’ compensation claims administrator credits, and for submission to the Association of Hearing Reps. 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 call Mel Long at 510-251-9470.