HR's Workers' Comp Management Update: New Laws, Rules, and Ways to Reduce Risk

HR's Workers' Comp Management Update Webinar Recording

Tough economic times have forced many insurance carriers to lay off significant portions of their claims staff. As a result, the risk of mishandled claims has skyrocketed, which means you must be much more proactive in monitoring your open claims. Having a solid framework for understanding how the workers’ compensation system works and for implementing its requirements correctly is essential. If you fail in either of these areas, you could become a prime target for fraudulent claims, lawsuits, or even government-issued compliance penalties.

Consider this scenario: One of your employees has recently been cleared for work after returning from a workers' comp leave of absence. Upon returning, he requests a light-duty accommodation. Does this mean he's now protected by the ADA? Does FMLA leave come into play?

HR professionals are asking themselves these questions and more as they struggle to deal with complicated workers' comp regulations. And if that weren't enough to deal with, what happens when you need to terminate the employee for a reason completely unrelated to workers' comp?

In addition, a recent report revealed that workers' compensation-related injuries rose by three percent -- the first time the number of claims rose in 13 years. With new regulations in place and more changes on the horizon that will affect workers' comp, it's crucial for you to get up-to-date now, reduce your costs, accommodate your employees, and stay in compliance.

Participate in this interactive webinar, and you'll learn:

• Workers’ comp law basics that affect your day-to-day practices
• Where to get important information about your state’s specific laws
• Why offering light duty can both help and hurt your organization and what you should do for the best possible outcome
• Light duty requirements for off-the-job injuries
• How to effectively work with treating physicians and insurance carriers to get your employees back to work as soon as possible
• What to do if you have a questionable claim on your hands
• What you need to know about the intersection of workers’ comp and HIPAA
• Whether it’s ever okay to terminate an employee who is out on workers’ comp leave
• How to stay out of hot water with the ADA and FMLA when dealing with workers’ comp leaves

In just 90 minutes, you'll be up to speed on the workers' comp process and well-informed on where the potential red flags lurk. Register now for this timely event risk-free.

This webinar was recorded on Tuesday, March 20, 2012

HR's Workers' Comp Management Update: New Laws, Rules, and Ways to Reduce Risk

About Your Speaker:

Susan Fahey Desmond is a Partner in the New Orleans, Louisiana office of Jackson Lewis LLP. Desmond, who maintains an active practice in both Louisiana and Mississippi, specializes in the areas of labor and employment and civil litigation, including representing employers in Family and Medical Leave cases, discrimination claims relative to age, sex, disability, race, religion, and sexual harassment, and handling EEOC charges and other administrative complaints through the administrative and judicial process. She is a frequent speaker for the Council on Education in Management, the Society for Human Resource Management, and other management organizations.