Issue 103 - September 2020
NEWS: WORTHY

Members and Attorneys Embrace Learning at Virtual Workers’ Compensation Symposium and Liability Attorney Summit
Although COVID-19 has altered the California JPIA’s training program, providing members with access to professional development opportunities and current information remains an important priority.
“Training is essential to managing risk and reducing liability,” said Assistant Executive Officer Norm Lefmann. “The Authority is committed to delivering premier risk management education while preserving wellness among our members, staff, and partners.”
The California JPIA’s annual Workers’ Compensation Symposium and Liability Attorney Summit, both of which transitioned this year from in-person events to fully digital experiences, again provided Authority members, counsel, and staff with insights on best practices and emerging issues.
At the 12th Annual Symposium on August 6, member agency risk managers and human resource professionals—including representatives from three of the Authority’s newest members, the cities of Hemet, Lemon Grove, and Pacific Grove—learned about topics relevant to their agencies’ workers’ compensation programs and gained agency-specific guidance from panel attorneys and claims team representatives from the Authority’s third-party administrator, Sedgwick. The curriculum also addressed COVID-19 from a claims and legal perspective, as well as alternate methods for delivering medical care and the impact of opioids and cancer medications.
“The Workers’ Compensation Symposium was very informative and addressed timely issues,” said Sam Penrod, human resources and risk manager for the City of San Juan Capistrano. “The session dealing with COVID-19 and the efforts undertaken to fully investigate, and in some cases challenge, the workplace presumption was especially helpful and enlightening. It served as a reminder that there are processes available to help employers effectively manage their respective workforces even during very challenging times and in situations that may seem cut-and-dry at first glance.”
On September 1, the Liability Attorney Summit, an exclusive event for attorneys and their associates who work on the Authority’s liability cases—as well as representatives from the Authority’s third-party administrator, Carl Warren & Company—provided opportunities for learning, information-sharing, and discussion. Curriculum provided insight on emerging case law, litigation strategies, and liability claims trends, including summaries of trial results and the current challenging litigation environment.
This year’s topics earned notable reviews from participants, including Scott Haith, a partner at Haith | Bagnaschi LLP: “That was excellent,” he said. “I really enjoyed hearing about the verdicts throughout the country, and from the panel attorneys about what is going on in other superior courts.”
“It was very informative and interesting,” agreed Ed Richards, a partner at Kutak Rock. “I thought the presentations were fascinating.”
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