MWCEA, Inc. 2002 Annual Conference Program Agenda

An Employer's Response in the Days Following Sept. 11, 2001
Scott Lockman, Marsh, USA
Marsh, USA lost an entire office in the World Trade Center building. A discussion about handling the initial disaster, employee losses and ongoing recovery.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Medical Perspective
Brian Schulman, M.D.
A discussion of the impact of national disasters on cases of post traumatic stress disorder; diagnosis, causation and treatment issues.

Terrorism Preparedness: Addressing the Hazards & Outrage
Craig Thorne, M.D., M.P.H., Univ. of MD School of Medicine, Dept. of Medicine Occupational Health Project
The bioterrorism threat as discussed by a leading expert in the field.

11:20 - 12:20 p.m.

CONCURRENT BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

Session #1

Hearing Loss
Craig Johnson, AuD, Audiology Associates

An audiologist explains industrial and non-industrial causes of hearing loss; diagnostic and measurement testing; treatments; PPD ratings.

I. Steven Siegel, Esq., Seigel, Tully & Furrer
Legal issues related to hearing loss - causation, compensability and permanency.

Session #2

Maryland Workers' Comp 101 (Basics for new professionals or non-practitioners)
Commissioner Mark Vincent, MD W C Commission

The Commissioner's view of critical issues for hearings.

(Defense) - Mark Krause, Esq., McNamara, Fizer & Dent
(Claimant) - Monica Meyers Turnbo, Esq.
What's "TT"? The basics of workers' comp from both a defense and claimant perspective. Forms, deadlines, benefits, compensability, IME's, PPD ratings, fee schedule, etc.

Session #3

Fibromyalgia
Scott Brown, M.D. CIME, Sinai Hospital
A comprehensive medical discussion of fibromyalgia.

12:20 - 2:00 p.m.

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

2:00 - 3:20 p.m.

HANDLING INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPOSURES
(Bloodborne, TB, Hepatitis, Biohazards)

Medical Perspective
David Luksco, M.D. CIME, Concentra Health Services
A physician discusses communicable diseases that have become workplace issues.

Prevention & Post Exposure Protocol
Robin Barthlow Busan, Risk Manager, MMCIP (UMMS)
An employer's program including prevention (employee education & training, personal protective equipment, etc.) and post exposure medical and claim handling protocol.

(Defense) - Wendy Karpel, Esq., Prince George's County Office of Law
(Claimant) - T. Wayne Carter, Esq., Pfeifer & Fabian
The defense and claimant legal perspective on this controversial subject: Accidental injury, industrial disease, causation, investigation, compensability, confidentiality, presumptions.

TUESDAY, September 24, 2002

9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Investigation of a Complaint John Spencer, CIH, CSP, RS, Environmental Profiles, Inc. Where do we start? The proper response to an indoor air quality complaint. Investigation and testing techniques; determining causation; remediation.
Medical Causation Philip Witorsch, M.D. F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P., International Center for Toxicology and Medicine The medical facts from an expert in the field. Determining medical causation and consequences of respiratory complaints, proper diagnosis, treatment and medical management.
Legal Perspective John Vernon, Esq., Lord & Whip Legal issues as related to workers' compensation claims.

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

CONCURRENT BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

Session #1

Heart Lung Presumptions
Commissioner Sheldon Press, MD W C Commission

The Commissioner's view of critical issues for hearings.

(Defense) - Jeffrey Laynor, Esq., Cornblatt, Bennett, Penhallegon & Roberson, PA
The legal perspective from the defense standpoint. Claim investigation, medical opinions, case law.

(Claimant) - Alex Katzenberg, Esq., Cohen, Snyder, Eisenberg & Katzenberg, PA
The legal perspective from the claimant standpoint. Is the presumption enough to assure compensability?

Session #2

Depositions in Workers' Comp Appeals
(Defense) - Michael Prokopik, Esq., Franklin & Prokopik
(Claimant) - Amanda Fallon, Esq., Ashcraft & Gerel

This session will provide insights to attorneys for conducting depositions in appeals from both a defense and claimant perspective.

Session #3

Catastrophic Case Management
Marcia Martin, CPCU, ARM,
Montgomery OneBeacon Insurance

An experienced claim professional will discuss the unique issues associated with handling a claim involving catastrophic injury.

Robin Karns, B.S.N., RN, CCM, Cm, CNLCP, RN-WCCM, First Rehabilitation Resources, Inc.
An experienced nurse case manager will discuss the unique issues associated with handling a claim involving catastrophic injury.

Don Benter, Esq., Benter & Mervis, P.A.
Representing the seriously injured worker.

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION NEWS
Commissioner Patricia Adams, MD W C Commission
Commissioner John Webster, MD W C Commission
Fran Salbeck, MD W C Commission
An update from the Vocational Rehabilitation Committee.

9:00 p.m. - midnight

CONFERENCE GALA

WEDNESDAY, September 25, 2002

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

BREAKFAST WITH THE COMMISSIONERS
Moderator - Barry M. Chasen, Esq., Chasen & Boscolo
Panelists - All Commissioners
Each Commissioner will discuss a current topic.

9:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Break

9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

RECENT CASES

Commissioner's Comments
Commissioner Richard LaFata, MD W C Commission

Discussion of Recent Cases
Richard Scheiner, Esq., Semmes, Bowen & Semmes
Jeff Horowitz, Esq., Belsky, Weinberg & Horowitz

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

LEGISLATIVE OVERVIEW
Moderator - Joseph Jagielski, Esq.
Panel - Maryland Legislators (TBA)
An overview of legislative activity during 2002.

11:15 - 12:00 noon

Door Prizes and Adjourn

We look forward to seeing you at the 2008 MWCEA Conference,
September 21 - 24, 2008.

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