Update on Workers' Compensation: Who is Disabled Under Michigan Law Today?

The biggest challenge in Michigan Workers' Compensation today is determining what constitutes a disability. Recent decisions from the Michigan Supreme Court have redefined disability requiring all of the participants in the system to reevaluate whether an individual injured employee is disabled. It is clear that all of the participants in the system will be required to gather more in depth information from the claimant to analyze the information within the guidelines of the Court's decisions.

This briefing is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you will need to determine if an individual claimant has a "disability."

By participating in this briefing, you will learn:

  • The background and history of the definition of disability
  • What constitutes a disability today
  • How to use expert testimony
  • What information to gather from the claimant
  • When to hire a vocational rehabilitation consultant
  • How to better evaluate the value of a claim for settlement

 

Upcoming Dates

The next offering of this program has not yet been determined. We are in the process of scheduling for 2010. Check back for updates. If you would like to be notified when we have scheduled this program, please e-mail us at cwcp@lir.msu.edu.

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Who Should Attend

This briefing is intended for attorneys, employers, insurers, third party administrators, rehabilitation counselors, and others who represent employers and insurance companies. Additionally, this briefing is advantageous for union officials and attorneys who represent workers.

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SEMINAR AGENDA

Morning: 8:45 am - Noon

  • Introduction and Welcome
  • Bureau Update
  • Board of Magistrates Update
  • Background and history of the definition of disability
  • Where we are now
  • How to use vocational experts
  • How to evaluate the value of a claim for settlement

Panel Discussion

Noon - Lunch

Afternoon: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

  • Demonstration Case
  • Interview of a claimant by plaintiff's attorney
  • Defense attorney gathering information
  • Interview of claimant by a vocational expert
  • Deposition of vocational expert
  • Trial
  • Magistrate Decision
  • Review by Appellate Commission
  • Panel Decision

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Instructors

This briefing is being hosted by Steven Pollok, Advisor to the Workers' Compensation Center at Michigan State University. Steven is president and senior partner of Rapaport, Pollok, Farrell & Waldron, P.C. of Lansing, Michigan. He has specialized in practicing workers' compensation law for over 30 years as a claimant's attorney. He serves in the Health Care Advisory Committee and is past chairperson for the Workers' Compensation Section of the State Bar. He has also taught workers' compensation as an adjunct professor at Thomas Cooley Law School since 1992.

Also teaching is Ed Welch, Professor Emeritus of the School of Labor & Industrial Relations at Michigan State University. He was a faculty member there from 1991 to 2008 and established the Workers' Compensation Center in 1999. From 1985 to 1990 he was the Director of the Michigan workers' compensation agency. He received a JD, MA and BA from the University of Michigan.

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Registration Information

There are several ways to enroll in our courses:

Complete the registration form and follow the instructions for submitting it to us.

 By Mail or Fax: Complete the online registration form, print that page, and send it by fax to 517-432-0138 or by mail to:

HR Executive Education
School of Labor and Industrial Relations
Michigan State University
423 S. Kedzie Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1032 		By Phone: We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this training program and take your registration over the phone. Call us at 517-432-2209.

SEMINAR FEE: $249

  • It includes materials, continental breakfast, and networking lunch.
  • Payment need not accompany registration but is due by the seminar date.
  • Government purchase orders will be accepted in lieu of advance payment. MSU's Federal ID # is 38-6005984
  • Dress is business casual
  • Please, no audio or video recording

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Continuing Education Credits

This seminar is approved for 7 continuing education credits towards CWCP or CHRS recertification. This seminar is recognized for continuing education credits by a variety of professions including the insurance continuing education in Michigan.

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Special Accommodations

Accommodations for people with disabilities or special dietary needs may be requested by calling HR Executive Education at 517-432-2209. We will do all we can to accommodate you. It would be especially helpful if you would contact us at least three weeks before the program.

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Cancellation Policy
  • 14 days or more prior to seminar: full refund
  • Less than 14 days: $75 cancellation fee
  • Failure to attend without canceling: no refund

MSU reserves the right to cancel programs when enrollment criteria are not met or for conditions beyond its control. Any additional costs incurred by the enrollee of cancelled programs are the responsibility of the enrollee.

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Questions

If you have questions that are not answered here, please call us at 517-432-2209.

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