THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024
8:25 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 Valuing a Claim for Settlement
Brian Groesser, Midkiff Muncie & Ross P.C., Raleigh
Thomas E. Lamm, Ricci Law Firm, Raleigh
This session looks at how both sides evaluate a claim for settlement, including assessing value to items beyond the average weekly wage and preparing your client for weaknesses and limitations.
10:00 Break
Sponsored by Ackerman Mediation.
10:10 AI and the Impact on Our Practice‡
Casey Spence, Sumwalt Anderson, Greensboro
Hear a discussion about the development and use of artificial intelligence in workers' compensation, including an explanation of ways to improve your practice and be more efficient. Also, learn about ethical considerations for the use of AI material and how to spot it in your cases.
11:10 Break
11:20 Death Claims Refresher
Henry Byrum, Stiles Byrum & Horne L.L.P, Charlotte
Annemarie Pantazis, Wilder Pantazis Law Group, Charlotte
This session takes a renewed look at handling death claims. From the forms to file, to the documents that are needed, to who recovers, there are a lot of moving parts that need to be addressed prior to approval from the Industrial Commission.
12:20 Lunch Break
1:20 Claim Diversity and Impact*
Megan Callahan, Cardinal Law Partners, Greensboro
Dr. Olu Jegede, Cone Health Center for Health Equity, Greensboro
Michael Robinson, NCCJ, Raleigh
What is unconscious bias? Discuss what, how and when unconscious bias can affect claims, examining it in the medical-treatment aspect of the claim and the claims handling by attorneys and the Industrial Commission.
2:20 Break
2:30 Mediating Difficult Cases≠
Kate Deiter-Maradei, Deiter Mediation, Raleigh
Timothy Hewlett, Hewlett Mediation, Winston-Salem
Hear directly from mediators on how best to navigate unique claims and claimants. Attendees receive advice and tips on how to mediate effectively post-COVID in remote and in-person situations, learn how mediators approach these situations, and explore how best to handle them as an attorney. Discuss topics including the rules of the NC Industrial Commission, standards of professional conduct for mediators, and NC Statutes G.S. §7A-38.1 and G.S. §7A-38.4A, among others.
3:30 Break
3:40 Stakeholder Review and Sturdivant
Joy Brewer, Brewer Defense Group, Raleigh
Kevin Bunn, Kevin Bunn Attorney at Law PC, Cary
The stakeholders determine the direction of workers' compensation litigation. Get an inside look at the negotiations between the parties as to pertinent issues heading into 2024. Also, gain insight from a discussion of Sturdivant and its impact on 500-week claims.
4:40 Adjourn for the Day
4:45 Networking Reception
4:45–5:45 PM | Griffin Room
Sponsored by Ametros.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024
8:25 Continental Breakfast
8:55 Announcements and Introductions
9:00 Doctor Deposition Discussion
Melissa Cleary, McAngus Goudelock & Courie, Raleigh
Dr. Mark Dumonski, Guilford Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center, Greensboro
Matthew Harbin, James Scott Farrin, Greensboro
During this panel discussion on expert medical deposition testimony, attendees hear from both a physician and attorneys on how to take effective and useful witness testimony both in person and via Zoom. The panelists also explore the dos and don’ts for obtaining useful and persuasive testimony.
10:00 Break
10:10 Motion Practice at the ESO
Michael Kelly, North Carolina Industrial Commission, Raleigh
Listen as Special Deputy Commissioner Kelly discusses his view of motion practice at the Executive Secretary's Office, providing insight on the dos and don'ts of filing and actually litigating claims before the Office.
10:40 Break
10:50 Case Law Update
Heather Baker, Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, Raleigh
Cameron Simmons, Cameron Simmons Law, Wilmington
12:20 Adjourn
* Indicates portion providing Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit
‡ Indicates portion providing Technology Training credit
≠ Indicates portion providing NC Dispute Resolution Commission Continuing Mediator Education