Fundamentals & Essentials in New Jersey Workers' Compensation
Held July 19, 2018 in East Windsor, New Jersey

John H. Geaney, Esq. is Chairman of Capehart Scatchard’s Executive Committee. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers’ Compensation Law attorney, Mr. Geaney is active in the New Jersey Self Insurers Association (Membership and Program Committees) as well as Kids’ Chance of New Jersey. Mr. Geaney is a member of the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network and is a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. He is the author of Geaney’s New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Manual for Practitioners, Physicians, Adjusters, and Employers.
John H. Geaney, Esq. concentrates his practice in the representation of employers, self-insured companies, third-party administrators, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation, and the representation of employers with respect to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Recent Cases and Proposed Legislation You Should Know, Trends in Medical Claim Petitions and Understanding Idiopathic Claims
Upper Extremity Claims in Workers’ Compensation

Morning Break
Key Defenses for Employers to Know in New Jersey
Panel Discussion: Complex Pain Management Issues Facing New Jersey Employers

Buffet Lunch
Panel Discussion: The Key Provisions of New York Versus New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Laws
Challenges Facing Spine Surgeons In Workers’ Compensation

Afternoon Break
Treading Lightly: Terminating Workers With Restrictions After MMI
Workers’ Comp Brain Teasers: Audience Participation and Dialogue

Prudence M. Higbee, Esq.
Shareholder, Capehart Scatchard
Prudence M. Higbee, Esq. is a Shareholder and Co-Chair of Capehart Scatchard’s Workers’ Compensation Department. She concentrates her practice in the representation of employers, self-insured companies, third-party administrators, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation matters. Ms. Higbee is a member of the American, Burlington County, Gloucester County and New Jersey State (Workers’ Compensation Division) Bar Associations. She is also a member of the Phi Delta Phi, Alumni, Harrington Inn Honors Chapter. Ms. Higbee received her JD from Widener University School of Law and her BA in Political Science from Rowan University.

Giovanni Ramundo, M.D.
Principal, Pain Medicine Physicians
Dr. Giovanni Ramundo is board certified in anesthesiology and fellowship trained in pain medicine. He graduated medical school in 1990 at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. After completing his residency, he was chief resident in the Department of Anesthesiology there from 1993-1994. He then completed his pain medicine fellowship at University Hospital at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center from 1996-1997. He is the principal of Pain Medicine Physicians in Millburn and Jersey City, NJ.

Jennifer Yanow, M.D., M.A.
Partner, New Jersey Pain Management Institute
Dr. Jennifer Yanow is affiliated with JLS Pain Management. She is a nationally double-board certified physician specializing in interventional pain management. She graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and completed her residency at NYU Hospital and her fellowship in pain management at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She has offices in Bridgewater and Mountainside, New Jersey.

Carmen Saginario Jr., Esq.
Shareholder, Capehart Scatchard
Carmen Saginario Jr., Esq. is Co-Chair of Capehart Scatchard’s Labor & Employment Group. Mr. Saginario focuses his practice on employment counseling and litigation. He regularly counsels clients on litigation avoidance, personnel policies and procedures including those associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act and Fair Labor Standards Act, employment discipline, layoffs and other terminations. Mr. Saginario directs and participates in internal investigations involving claims of harassment, policy violations, ethics and other employment issues. He also appears on behalf of private and public sector clients before the judiciary as well as State and Federal administrative agencies (EEOC, N.J. Division on Civil Rights, etc.). Mr. Saginario is also experienced in representing clients before arbitrators and mediators.

Ashley T. Fiore, Esq.
Shareholder, Capehart Scatchard
Ashley T. Fiore, Esq. is a Shareholder in Capehart Scatchard’s Workers’ Compensation Department and concentrates her practice in the representation of employers, self-insured companies, third-party administrators, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation matters. Ms. Fiore is a member of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, The New Jersey State Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She received her BA from Cornell University and her JD from Rutgers University School of Law – Camden.

Dr. Peter Chan is affiliated with Hand Surgery Specialists, LLC. Dr. Chan received his BS from Duke University and his Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Chan completed his Fellowship in Hand and Microvascular Surgery at The Hand Center of San Antonio. Dr. Chan received certifications from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Certificate of Added Qualifications in surgery of the hand.

Dr. Steven Crawford
IMX Medical Management Services
Dr. Steven Crawford is affiliated with IMX Medical Management Services. Dr. Crawford received his BS in Biology, cum laude, from Springfield College and his Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Crawford completed his internship and residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Internal Medicine. He also completed his basic medical sciences at the University of Palermo in Italy. Dr. Crawford is a certified independent medical examiner.

Michael F. Vecchione, Esq.
Managing Partner, Vecchione, Vecchione & Connors, L.L.P.
Michael F. Vecchione, Esq. is the Managing Partner of Vecchione, Vecchione & Connors, L.L.P. He received his Economics degree at Villanova University, cum laude, and received his JD from St. John’s University School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the State of New York. Mr. Vecchione represents numerous private and public sector employers in New York. Mr. Vecchione is a member of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Bar, RIMS, The New York Self-Insurers Association and The New York State Claims Association.

Richard Nachwalter, M.D.
Atlantic Spine Specialists
Dr. Richard Nachwalter is affiliated with Atlantic Spine Specialists. Dr. Nachwalter received his BS with honors from the State University of New York at Binghamton and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and his Fellowship in spinal surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He is licensed to practice medicine in New Jersey and is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
Holiday Inn & National Convention Center
399 Monmouth Street
East Windsor, New Jersey 08520