1-16-12; Learn the AMA Impairment Guidelines from the experts, folks

Beginning in March 2012, SafeWorks Illinois and the Illinois State Medical Society will be co-sponsoring six half-day courses around the state on the AMA Impairment Guideline Ratings, ideal for both busy physicians and attorneys alike. Your editor will be speaking at several of these presentations.

The purpose of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (6th Edition) is to help determine permanent partial disability (PPD) awards for Illinois workers’ compensation cases. The AMA Guides ratings are only one factor in assessing disability. How applicable are the uses of these guides? Will they be utilized at all? Find answers to these questions and more by attending one of these courses!

When & Where

·         March 1 Chicago U.S. Cellular Field Conference Center

·         March 15 Bloomington Marriott Bloomington-Normal Hotel & Conference Center

·         March 22 Schaumburg Courtyard by Marriott – Schaumburg

·         March 29 Collinsville Doubletree Hotel

·         May 10 Oak Brook Chicago Marriott Oak Brook (Across from Oakbrook Center shopping mall)

·         May 17 Rock Island Holiday Inn Rock Island Hotel & Conference Center

Register TODAY at www.ISMS.org

This new seminar, co-sponsored by ISMS and SafeWorks Illinois, offers the unique opportunity to develop a better understanding of the multiple components used in assessing and evaluating disability for workers’ compensation cases. You’ll learn the nuts and bolts contained in the new AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment – Sixth Edition and gain valuable insights provided by expert presenters – all in an efficient half-day workshop coming to locations across the state. Breakfast is provided; continuing medical education (CME) credits available. CCM, CLE & CEU credits are being applied for as well.

Our focus for claims handlers and risk managers alike—if you don’t know and use the AMA Guides, you can’t complain if the Arbitrators and Commissioners don’t follow them. We urge you to start to learn and utilize this cost-savings tool.

1-16-12; More thoughts for everyone in the WC industry

In no particular order

The Illinois WC community mourns the passing of two of its members.

·         Vito DeCarlo left us much too early. He was one of the quiet deans of Illinois WC law and practice. He had over 50 years of experience representing injured workers before the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission, Circuit Court, Appellate Court, and Supreme Court of Illinois. He was a past president of the Workers Compensation Lawyers Association, Justinian Society of Lawyers and the St. Ignatius Alumni Association. In addition, he was named the St. Ignatius Alumnus of the Year in 2000. He was also a recipient of the prestigious St. George Award from the Boy Scouts of America. His daughter Anita DeCarlo continues to practice at the IWCC and is as brilliant as her father.

·         Adam Lagocki of Heyl, Royster was killed in a car accident, last Thursday during the storm. Our thoughts & prayers go out to Adam's family and to everyone at Heyl. His resume and photo are online at: http://www.hrva.com/attorneys/print.cfm?pageID=4&attorneyID=19&print

Onto more mundane pursuits, we are seeking rulings involving state workers where the workers are provided total and permanent benefits due solely to the State of Illinois refusing to provide alternative positions and/or vocational consultation. The decisions have to be issued in the last three years. Your editor will pay $25 for each new  IWCC ruling sent to our office.

We have also been asked by the folks who are reviewing the State of Illinois workers’ compensation system to provide the incident rate for lost time injuries in relation to the total employee population of your Illinois workers. They are concerned about the years 2009 and 2010. Your response will be kept totally confidential and is for legislative consideration only.

We appreciate your thoughts and comments. Please do not hesitate to post them on our award-winning blog.

1-16-12; Welcome to KC&A, Rod!!

We want to herald the arrival of another top-notch senior litigator in Rodney Phillipe, J.D. Rod has joined Keefe, Campbell & Associates as a veteran defense lawyer in 2012.  Rodney concentrates his practice in employment law defense and general liability defense.

Rodney has successfully defended numerous employment claims at both the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights. A portion of his practice is devoted to counseling management and HR professionals, prior to litigation, on issues related to employees and the workplace. 

He began his career practicing insurance defense in what has to be one of the toughest places to defend claims--Madison County, Illinois. Prior to joining the firm he worked as in-house corporation counsel overseeing all aspects of business operations and compliance. In addition, he handled all insurance defense and employment practices litigation.

His trial and appellate experience includes both State and Federal Courts. Rodney brings over 19 years of experience defending employers and businesses. Please feel free to contact him via email to rphillipe@keefe-law.com.