As 'baby boomers' postpone retirement and accelerate the aging of the workforce, widespread concerns are emerging about the potential rise in workers’ compensation and discrimination claims. The long-standing tenet that younger workers have much higher injury rates is no longer true. And there are key differences in leading types of injuries by age. For example, older workers tend to have more rotator cuff and knee injuries, while younger workers have more back and ankle sprains. Hear experienced practitioners in the fields of workers’ compensation and employment law analyze these trends and offer surprising, yet reassuring, conclusions.
Attend this new seminar to learn how to handle the impact of shifting workplace demographics interweaving the distinct worlds of workers’ compensation and employment discrimination claims. Whether you primarily practice workers’ compensation law or handle discrimination claims, this program is for you.
Attend this new seminar to learn how to handle the impact of shifting workplace demographics interweaving the distinct worlds of workers’ compensation and employment discrimination claims. Whether you primarily practice workers’ compensation law or handle discrimination claims, this program is for you.
Course Content
2:00 - 2:20 pmWorker's Comp Overview: What is a claim under MGL 152(the MA Workers Comp Act)
a. Eligibility, tools, pitfalls, case law, identify any potential employment law issues in the initial client intake
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
b. What are the rules about an employer seeking pre-employment medical records, false representation of physical condition by employee; right to benefits. (152, §27A)
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
Jeffrey S. Siegel, Esq.,
Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP, Boston
Suzanne L. Herold, Esq.,
Herold Law Group, PC, Charlestown
c. Types of WC benefits: temporary total (152, §34A)
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
d. Insurers can seek reimbursement under the Second Injury Fund (152 §37)
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
e. Worker's Compensation Retaliation Overview
Panel
2:20 - 2:40 pm
Discrimination Overview
a. 151B, ADA and Reasonable Accommodation (including WC law defining disability under 151B)
b. Other Applicable Laws
FMLA Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
2:40 - 3:00 pm
MCAD/ EEOC What Both Sides Should Be Doing
a. Managing a Returning Employee
i. Defense Side - preparing for returning worker and managing worker
Jeffrey S. Siegel, Esq.,
Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP, Boston
ii. Plaintiff Side - how to advise employee returning and how to reacclimate to workforce
Suzanne L. Herold, Esq.,
Herold Law Group, PC, Charlestown
iii. Pursuing reasonable accommodations with employer prior to return
Jeffrey S. Siegel, Esq.,
Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP, Boston
Suzanne L. Herold, Esq.,
Herold Law Group, PC, Charlestown
b. Severance Agreements in lieu of returning to work
Jeffrey S. Siegel, Esq.,
Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP, Boston
3:00 - 3:15 pm
Strategies for Retaining or Reducing Aging Workforce
Jeffrey S. Siegel, Esq.,
Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP, Boston
a. Retention Bonus Agreements
b. Early Retirement Plans
3:15 - 3:45 pm
Older Workers, Stress, Psychiatric Injury in Comp as well as Disability
a. MGL CH 152 1(7A)
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
b. What Does the Comp Act Leave Out That Discrimination Provides For
Suzanne L. Herold, Esq.,
Herold Law Group, PC, Charlestown
3:45 - 3:55 pm
Networking and Refreshment Break
3:55 - 4:10 pm
Key Cases for Workers Compensation Practitioners and Employment Law Practitioners
Suzanne L. Herold, Esq.,
Herold Law Group, PC, Charlestown
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
4:10 - 4:25 pm
Return to Work, Vocational Analysis
a. Vocational Experts for Insurer and Employee, When to Use
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
b. Case Law, Analysis of Factors Under Scheffler and Frenier
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
c. How do You Show That the Injured Worker's Employability is Effected by His/Her Injury
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
4:25 - 4:45 pm
Workers Comp Hearings/Settlements/Re-Hiring (152, §48, §35E)
a. 152, §48(4) Presumption of Future Disability but Allocation for §36 on the Lump Sum or for Inchoate Rights is not Applicable to the $1500/One Month Rule
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
b. 152, §75A Preference in Rehiring. Timeframe to Hold Open a Job to Heal
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
c. 152, §75B and the Statutory Confluence of c.152 With c.151B. Globe SJC Case Which Holds an Employer Does Not Need to Continue to Accommodate Once it is Known That the Employee Can No Longer Return to Work
Judson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
4:45 - 4:50 pm
Key Takeaways
Please Note
This webcast is delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal.
There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only.
They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.
Speakers
ChairJudson L. Pierce, Esq.,
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano, Salem
Faculty
Ned W. Barrett, Esq.,
Law Offices of Martin B. Schneider, PC, Salem
Suzanne L. Herold, Esq.,
Herold Law Group, PC, Charlestown
Jeffrey S. Siegel, Esq.,
Morgan, Brown & Joy LLP, Boston
