Product Description

In the ever-evolving legal world, it is essential to keep up-to-date with substantive, procedural, and administrative developments impacting the practice of workers’ compensation law. As a result, MCLE is proud to again sponsor its seventeenth annual Workers’ Compensation Law Conference 2016. This day-long Conference features experienced practitioners in the workers’ compensation field who, together with judges from the Department of Industrial Accidents and prominent medical experts, provide you with relevant, comprehensive information on the hottest topics and issues affecting this dynamic practice area. 

Practitioners attending this Conference not only learn about recent cases and legislation pertaining to workers’ compensation law and its practice, but also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout sessions covering topics such as dealing with continued concerns of the underground economy, benefit enhancers, meeting the burden of proof in compensation cases, and the effective use of the mediation process. 

This year, we are extremely honored to have as our Keynote Speaker, the Honorable Karyn Polito, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who shares her thoughts on the continued opioid crisis in the Commonwealth, and the administration’s efforts to combat its effects on citizens. Further, this year’s Keynote Panel explores how the opioid crisis is impacting the workers’ compensation system specifically. And as in the past, Senior Judge Omar Hernández provides an update on the state of affairs at the D.I.A. 

The breadth of the Conference’s topics offers something for everyone who practices workers’ compensation law. Bring your questions and join the dialogue.

Agenda & Materials

• 9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

  Welcome and Introduction

  Joseph F. Agnelli, Jr., Esq., Agnelli Law Offices, PC , Worcester
  
• 9:15 - 10:30 a.m.

  Recent Case Law and Legislative Update 2016

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  Joseph F. Agnelli, III, Esq., Agnelli Law Offices, PC , Worcester
  Kaylene M. Crum, Esq., Keches Law Group , Milton
  
• 10:30 - 10:45 a.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 10:45 - 11:15 a.m.

  D.I.A. Update

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  Hon. Omar Hernández, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 11:15 - 11:30 a.m.

  Update on National Issues of Local Concern

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  Alan S. Pierce, Esq., Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano , Salem
  
• 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

  Key Note Panel Discussion
• The Opioid Crisis in Massachusetts and Its Impact on the Workers' Compensation System-Critical Legal and Medical Issues

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  Hon. Omar Hernández, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Lewis G. Evangelidis, Worcester County , West Boylston
  Hon. Steven D. Rose, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  Diane M. Neelon, Esq., Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Roberto Feliz, MD, New England Pain Management Consultants , Boston
  Sean C. Flaherty, Esq., Keches Law Group, PC , Bridgewater
  Edward M. Moriarty, Jr., Esq., Moriarty & Associates, PC , Wakefield
  
• 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

  Keynote Speaker
• The Opioid Crisis in the Commonwealth-and the Administration's Efforts to Combat Its Effects

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  Hon. Karyn E. Polito, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 2:15 - 3:30 p.m.

  Breakout Session I
• Continued Concerns of the Underground Economy and the Impact on Workers' Compensation Practice (webcast)

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  • Leased employees/non-traditional employees (Uber/Lyft)
  • Independent contractors
  • Trust Fund Involvement
  • Undocumented workers
  • Proof of average weekly wage
  • Perspectives from the Bench

  Hon. Douglas A. Bean, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Lawrence
  Hon. Bernard W. Fabricant, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  James E. Ramsey, Esq., Ramsey Law Offices, PC , Worcester
  ,
  W. Todd Huston, Esq., Huston Law Office , Worcester
  Stacie A. Sobosik, Esq., Sobosik Law , Medford
  Joshua James Pakstis, Esq., Office of the Attorney General/Criminal Bureau , Boston
  
• Effective Use of the Mediation Process and Alternative Dispute Resolution

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  • When to consider mediation
  • Narrowing of issues
  • Properly preparing for mediation
  • Involvement of all necessary parties
  • Judge's role

  Hon. Roger S. Lewenberg, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Hull
  Hon. Maureen H. McManus,
  Hon. Lauren M. Bergheimer, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Fall River
  Deborah G. Kohl, Esq., Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl , Fall River
  Steven M. Taylor, Esq., Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC , Salem
  
• 3:30 - 3:45 p.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:45 - 5:00 p.m.

  Breakout Session II (choose one)
• Meeting the Burden of Proof (webcast)

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  • Section 1(7A) and 29-"bona fide" personnel actions
  • Section 27
  • Section 28
  • Section 7A
  • Section 41
  • View from the Bench

  Hon. Catherine Watson Koziol, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Dennis M. Maher, Department of Industrial Accidents, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Worcester
  Joseph J. Durant, Esq., Tentindo, Kendall, Canniff & Keefe LLP , Boston
  Shelley M. Harvey, Esq., Tentindo, Kendall, Canniff & Keefe LLP , Boston
  David Maille, Esq., Eden Rafferty , Worcester
  
• Benefit Enhancers

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  • Section 1(1) claims
  • Concurrent employment
  • Issues concerning out-of-state employment
  • Prevailing wage claims
  • Section 51
  • Section 35B
  • Enhanced attorney's fees
  • View from the Bench

  Alan S. Pierce, Esq., Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano , Salem
  Hon. David G. Braithwaite,
  Hon. William C. Harpin,
  Mark H. Likoff, Esq., Mullen & McGourty , Salem
  William H. Troupe, Esq., The Troupe Law Office , Peabody
  
• 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

  Networking Reception for Faculty and Registrants

Chair

Faculty