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Fundamentals & Essentials in New Jersey Workers' Compensation

Held July 19, 2018 in East Windsor, New Jersey

Moderator

John H. Geaney, Esq.

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.

Schedule

Download Schedule
  • Fundamentals & Essentials in New Jersey Workers’ Compensation
  • Registration, Networking and Introduction (Continental Breakfast Provided) from 7:45 – 8:30 a.m.
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Recent Cases and Proposed Legislation You Should Know, Trends in Medical Claim Petitions and Understanding Idiopathic Claims

What are the recent decisions your company needs to know? How will pending legislation affect your workers’ comp program? Effectively using prior treating records to reduce your company’s exposure. Is it idiopathic or a work aggravation of a prior condition? Can a medical provider file in NJ where the injured worker’s employment contacts are outside New Jersey?
John H. Geaney, Esq. / Capehart Scatchard  
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.

Upper Extremity Claims in Workers’ Compensation

How does a hand/elbow surgeon decide whether a medical condition is work related? What kind of past medical history is helpful in carpal tunnel claims? What does the literature say on forceful and repetitive work? What are the non­-work factors that may independently cause carpal tunnel syndrome? How successful are epicondylar and carpal tunnel releases in relieving symptoms?
Dr. Peter Chan / Hand Surgery Specialists, LLC  
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.

Morning Break

Networking with Vendors
  
10:30 - 11:20 a.m.

Key Defenses for Employers to Know in New Jersey

How can you win occupational disease claims using the statute of limitations? Where does New Jersey law stand on parking lot claims? The going­and­coming rule in relation to reporting to job sites. Does fraud occur when a claimant misrepresents prior medical history? When should recreational and social activity claims be accepted and denied?
Prudence M. Higbee, Esq. / Capehart Scatchard  
11:20 - 12:10 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Complex Pain Management Issues Facing New Jersey Employers

Panel: Dr. Giovanni Ramundo, Pain Medicine Physicians Dr. Steven Crawford, IMX Medical Management Services Dr. Jennifer Yanow, JLS Pain Management Topics Are national and state efforts to curb opiate abuse having an impact on workers’ compensation? What is the best indication for opiates in workers’ compensation? Should interventional techniques and non­narcotic medications be the primary choice for pain following spine surgery? How do pain dependency and addiction complicate the job of the defense IME physician? If recreational marijuana is legalized in New Jersey, how will this affect workers’ compensation?
John H. Geaney, Esq. / Capehart Scatchard  
12:10 - 1:00 p.m.

Buffet Lunch

Networking with Speakers and Visit the Sponsor Booths
  
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion: The Key Provisions of New York Versus New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Laws

Panel: Michael Vecchione, Esq., Vecchione, Vecchione & Connors, LLP Ashley Fiore, Esq., Capehart Scatchard Topics: Contrast the rules for controlling medical care in each state. Learn how medical and temp benefits are terminated in each state. How involved is the Division of Workers’ Compensation in each state? Can you close a file for good? Discussion of permanency determinations in each state. The hearing process for formal claim petitions in each state.
Prudence M. Higbee, Esq. / Capehart Scatchard  
2:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Challenges Facing Spine Surgeons In Workers’ Compensation

What does a spine surgeon look for in obtaining a useful past medical history? When should fusion surgery be recommended and when not? Reconciling conflicts between radiologists and surgeons: bulge versus protrusion versus herniation. Spinal cord stimulators: Overdone? Underwhelming? Percentage of success? Do surveillance videos help spine surgeons assess validity, treatment and MMI?
Dr. Richard Nachwalter / Atlantic Spine Specialists  
2:45 - 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon Break

Networking with Vendors
  
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Treading Lightly: Terminating Workers With Restrictions After MMI

What are the considerations an employer should make before terminating an injured worker who has been out of work on workers’ compensation? Analyzing the risks of a civil law suit under the NJLAD, ADA or FMLA. Learn the basic anatomy of a disability based NJLAD or ADA claim. How helpful are FCEs in making decisions to terminate? Getting the greatest value out of job descriptions in the employment arena.
Carmen Saginario Jr., Esq. / Capehart Scatchard  
3:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Workers’ Comp Brain Teasers: Audience Participation and Dialogue

Don’t miss this final and fun session on little known facts about New Jersey law. Test your knowledge of comp in this audience participation session.
  

Speakers

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.

            Peter Chan, M.D.

            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.

                    Venue

                    Holiday Inn & National Convention Center

                    399 Monmouth Street
                    East Windsor, New Jersey 08520

                    Get Directions

                    Millennium Seminars | Moving Professionals Forward

                    Thank You To Our Sponsors!

                    Pain Medicine Physicians (PMP) - Life Without Pain
                    MedRisk - Managed Physical Medicine
                    Hackensack Meridian Health - Occupational Health
                    ICU Investigations, Inc
                    Biokinetics LLC
                    Multi-Care Medical Transportation
                    Work Comp Psych Net

                    Testimonials | See What People Are Saying

                    ”Capehart always puts on the best WC seminars. They have the perfect blend of legal updates, medical cases, past precedents and in depth panels”

                    Josh Wolf, Amazon - July 19, 2018

                    ”Always an informative educational experience. After 34 years I still learn something every time I come. The structure and
                    presentation makes it interesting and at times entertaining.”

                    Michele Wojciechowski, Broadspire

                    ”I love coming to this seminar whenever it is given. The topics presented and speakers are so knowledgeable and informative! Great networking opportunity - - Fabulous!!”

                    Karen Caulfield, Township of Union

                    ”This is the most comprehensive and informative one day seminar on workers’ compensation in New Jersey. Great Value!”

                    Christina Grabowski, PMA

                    ”Even after 25+ years in workers' compensations claims management, I always learn something new that I can bring back and integrate into my job.”

                    Honora McGinn, Princeton University

                    ”The seminar today was very informative. I now have the confidence to properly adjust
                    claims for the New Jersey jurisdiction!”

                    Porscha Clemons ­, Southern Company Gas

                    ”This seminar presents cutting edge information on medical and legal issues within the New Jersey Workers’ Comp law.”

                    Michele Bucek, Strategic Comp.

                    ”The seminar was very informative and interactive. The presenters and speakers really kept my attention while delivering excellent topics”

                    David Olcott , Conti Corp.

                    ”Thank you for the opportunity to listen to expert advice on numerous legal and medical topics and continuing development of our field.”

                    Michele Bucek, Strategic Comp

                    ”Anyone working in the field of workers’ compensation must attend these seminars to remain current and competent. They are the single greatest source of comprehensive information.”

                    Doris Dicristina, William H. Connolly & Co., LLC.

                    ”I always enjoy attending the seminars presented by John. Content and speakers are very relevant. Networking is great!”

                    Gwen Hatcher, Princeton University

                    ”Millennium Seminars always provide pertinent and current information relevant to workers' comp case management and improving outcomes - an invaluable resource to all professionals in the field.”

                    Doris Dicristina, William H. Connolly & Co., LLC

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