In continuing partnership with the prestigious National College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, NWCR proudly presents: 50th Anniversary Reassessment: 1972 “Report of the National Commission on State Workmen’s Compensation Laws”

Monday
1:15 – 2:40 pm

Grand Ballroom 8A
Convention Level


The dramatic 1960’s rise in workplace injury frequency led to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, or OSHA, which also established a National Commission to study workers’ compensation laws to learn if they were part of the solution, or part of the problem. The Commission’s 1972 Report found significant problems in most systems regarding who was covered; what was covered; adequacy of indemnity benefits and efficacy of medical/rehabilitation services. It made 88 specific recommendations — 19 deemed “essential.”

At this momentous half-century mark, we present a report card. How have we done? Where are we short? Who are our innovators? Or are we re-inviting national scrutiny, with potentially far reaching consequences? Supplemented by clips from an earlier analysis by world-renowned (and 1972 Commissioner) John Burton, our conference panel affords both context and tangible suggestions to help better inform our next half century.

Welcome and Introductions
Co-Chairs, National Workers’ Compensation Review (NWCR)
William E. Pipkin, Jr., Attorney
Austill, Lewis, Pipkin & Maddox
Mobile, AL

James M. Anderson, Attorney
Anderson Crawley & Burke
Jackson, MS

H. George Kagan, Attorney
H. George Kagan, PA
Gulf Stream, FL

Moderator:
Jennifer Wolf
Executive Vice President
Minnesota Workers Compensation Insurers Association, Inc.
Middle Town, WI

Panel:
Honorable Kenneth Switzer
Chief Judge
Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Nashville, TN

Alan Pierce, Attorney
Pierce, Pierce & Napolitano
Salem, MA

James M. Gallen, Attorney
Evans & Dixon
St. Louis, MO

Honorable Sheral Kellar, Director
Louisiana Workforce Commission
Baton Rouge, LA

Track:

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