BCM Presents to Arbitrators and Commissioners

July 2014

By John P. Connolly

At the invitation of Commissioner Michael Latz, I participated in the annual continuing education of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commissioners, Arbitrators and Staff. The Chairman requested that I address the critical topic of the impact of workers' compensation costs in a depressed economy from an employer's perspective.

Detailed for the Commissioners and Arbitrators were the adverse exposures represented by wage differential and odd lot permanent total claims and their influence on businesses already here or thinking of coming to Illinois. Chairman Latz's invitation provided a welcome opportunity to apprise the decision makers of the outlook of the insurance industry and business community.

The Firm is proud of its efforts to educate stakeholders in the workers' compensation system. We welcome the opportunity to share our insights on areas of interests in recent case decisions. Topics that have recently been addressed by BCM lawyers include:

• Impact of AMA Guides
• Handling and successfully resolving complex litigation
• Best practices when choosing Illinois workers' compensation experts
• How to effectively manage and control medical costs
• How to effectively protect Illinois employers regarding the interests of Medicare