11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
GOLF TOURNAMENT – Fundraiser for Kids’ Chance
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
EXHIBITORS SET UP
11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
GENERAL REGISTRATION
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
3 Parallel Sessions Covering the Basics of the Workers’ Compensation Laws from these States:
A. Mississippi WC Law Overview: Daniel Baker and Daniel Culpepper, Anderson Crawley & Burke, PLLC, Ridgeland, MS
B. Louisiana WC Law Overview: Matthew Putfark and Keith Pittman – Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
C. Alabama WC Law Overview: Stephen Christie and Kyle Kinney – Miller, Christie & Kinney, PC, Birmingham, AL
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
BREAK
1:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Let’s Go to the Movies to Learn about Workers’ Compensation
As a continuation of the above sessions and using video clips from old movies and an interactive format between the audience and panel of attorneys from Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, topics such as Course and Scope of Employment, Idiopathic Falls, Coming and Going Rule, the Access Doctrine (ingress and egress), Lunchtime injuries, and Mental Trauma Claims will be discussed.
Moderator: Jeff Napolitano – Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
Mississippi: Daniel Baker and Daniel Culpepper – Anderson Crawley & Burke, PLLC, Ridgeland, MS
Louisiana: Matthew Putfark and Keith Pittman – Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
Alabama: Stephen Christie and Kyle Kinney – Miller, Christie & Kinney, PC, Birmingham, AL
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
BREAK
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Medical – Ankles/Feet and Wrists/Hands
Claims involving the extremities can be a large part of the claims professional’s workload. This informative session will provide the participants with the medical information needed to understand those claims, evaluate the appropriate treatment for those injuries, learn the medical terminology, and manage the outcomes.
Moderator: Bill Pipkin – Austill Lewis Pipkin & Maddox PC, Mobile, AL
Physician: Dr. Jonathan Brown – Foot Specialist, Bienville Orthopaedics, Biloxi, MS
Physician: Dr. Tyler Marks – Specialty Orthopedic Group, Tupelo, MS
6:00 PM – 7:30
PM RECEPTION IN THE EXHIBIT HALL HONORING MWCC COMMISSIONERS, ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES, ALABAMA AND LOUISIANA PARTICIPANTS
7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
REGISTRATION & INFORMATION DESKS OPEN
7:30 AM – 7:45 AM
FAITH BASED CLAIMS ASSOCIATION BREAKFAST – Everyone invited!
7:45 AM – 8:15 AM
FAITH BASED PROGRAM: “Wild Horses” and How to Succeed in Business by the Grace of God
Katie Eubanks – MS Christian Living Magazine
Katie will share her story about how God has brought her to where she is today—owner of a Christian magazine. When she was first creating a Christian magazine prototype during her senior year of college, she was also experiencing a complete crisis and crumbling of her Christian faith. God used that year to rebuild her faith, and 8 years later He dropped a Christian magazine into her lap. That is the “Wild Horses” part, and we will enjoy hearing her perspective!
7:45 AM – 8:15 AM
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST IN THE EXHIBIT HALL
7:45 AM – 5:15 PM
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN *NOTE – Exhibit Hall to remain open all day including lunch.
8:30 AM – 9:20 AM
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
A brief look at the status of workers’ compensation in MS, AL, and LA
Moderator: Mark Formby – Chairman, Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission
Speaker: Steve Garrett – Alabama Department of Labor, Division of Workers’ Compensation
Speaker: Judge Anthony Palermo – Louisiana Office of Workers’ Compensation
9:20 AM – 9:30 AM
BREAK
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION featuring Jill Conner Browne
Jill Conner Browne, a life-long Mississippian, is the multiple #1 New York Times bestselling author of nine Sweet Potato Queens® books and has created a global phenomenon–6,200 chapter groups in 37 countries–based upon her philosophy and world-view as recounted through these rollicking, raucous and riotously funny essays. Women and smart men understand that the bawdy, sassy, down-to-earth humor is simply the vehicle by which the greater message is conveyed–that is, one of self-reliance and empowerment, inspiring all to do what makes their hearts sing.
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
BREAK
10:50 AM – 11:50 AM
MEDICAL MARIJUANA UPDATE
These experts will provide the latest updates on Mississippi’s new medical marijuana law and what that means for the workers’ comp community. They will provide discussion and insight regarding potential benefits and challenges to consider.
Donald Moore – Franke & Salloum, PLLC, Gulfport, MS
Conner Reeves – McLaughlin, PC, Jackson, MS
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
VENDOR LUNCH IN THE EXHIBIT HALL
Vendors will also be invited to attend the regular lunch with attendees if they prefer.
11:50 AM – 1:30 PM
CONFERENCE LUNCH IN THE AZALEA ROOM
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
BREAKOUT I: MISSISSIPPI CASE LAW UPDATE
Judges from the Mississippi Court of Appeals will dissect some of the important issues. In a decision handed down over the past year dealing with workers’ compensation issues, in a new format designed to spur interest and participation, the audience will be given an opportunity to vote on the possible result after a recitation of the facts. The Judges will then offer the result and rationale for the decision.
Moderator: Steve Funderburg – Funderburg, Sessums & Peterson, PLLC, Jackson, MS
Facilitators: MWCC Administrative Judge Deneise Lott
Presiding Judge Virgina C. Carlton – Court of Appeals, District 4, Position 1
Judge David Neil McCarty – Court of Appeals, District 4, Position 2
Judge Anthony N. Lawrence III – Court of Appeals, District 5, Position 1
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
BREAKOUT II: ALABAMA CASE LAW UPDATE
Experienced Alabama workers’ compensation defense attorneys will review the reported decisions affecting workers’ compensation claims handling in Alabama over the past year and will provide input and instruction as to appropriate responses to the case law developments for those practitioners who are handling Alabama claims.
Lauren Farrington – Sanders and Williams, LLC, Birmingham, AL
Matt Williams – Sanders and Williams, LLC, Birmingham, AL
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
BREAKOUT III: LOUISIANA CASE LAW UPDATE
Experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation defense attorneys will review the reported decisions affecting workers’ compensation claims handling in Louisiana over the past year or more and will provide input and instruction as to appropriate responses to the case law developments for those practitioners who are handling Louisiana claims.
Jeff Napolitano – Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
Tommy Ruli – Juge, Napolitano, Guilbeau, Ruli & Frieman, Metairie, LA
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
BREAK
2:50 PM – 3:50 PM
BREAKOUT I: ALLIANCE OF WOMEN IN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION (AWWC) PRESENTS: Exploring Executive Presence with Industry Leaders
The AWWC is a think tank of engaged female thought leaders committed to discussing challenges and emerging trends in the Workers’ Compensation industry. Our goal is to provide an environment that allows for open dialogue on industry-specific topics resulting in idea sharing, insight gathering, networking. Visit www.allianceofwomen.org for more information.
Moderator: Jennifer Ryon – Board Member, Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation, Nashville, TN
Commissioner Beth Harkins – Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, Jackson, MS
Becky Hillhouse – Director of Operations, Workers’ Compensation, AmFed, Ridgeland MS
Ray Gustavis – Attorney, Chhabra and Gibbs, P. A., Jackson, MS
Jill Miller – Attorney, Taylor, Wellons, Politz and Duhe, Baton Rouge, LA
2:50 PM – 3:50 PM
BREAKOUT II: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF WORKERS’ COMP LAWS
James “Jim” Anderson – Anderson, Crawley, & Burke, Ridgeland, MS
3:50 PM – 4:10 PM
BREAK
4:10 PM – 5:00 PM
ELBEE AWARDS
The “Elbee Awards” is a collection of awards for different components of the Mississippi workers’ compensation community which were started and/or supported during the time Liles B Williams served as Chairman of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission.
A. Injured Worker’s Return and Recovery (R&R)—an award to a worker injured on the job in Mississippi who has demonstrated exceptional motivation to obtain physical recovery and return to the productive workforce
B. Kids’ Chance of Mississippi (the official charity of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Association)—Scholarships are awarded to children of workers’ who were seriously injured or killed in an accident which is covered by the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Law
C. Mississippi’s Outstanding Employer in Workers’ Compensation—A partnership between Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Association and Mississippi Association of Self Insurers—an annual award given to a Mississippi employer who understands and appreciates the benefits of a viable workers’ compensation program, who has a good focus on safety, who regularly tries to “do the right thing” regarding payments to be made, and who diligently strives to accomplish the goals of facilitating return to work post-injury.
D. Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame—inductees are members of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Community who devoted a substantial portion of their careers to workers’ compensation issues in Mississippi and deserve to be remembered and thanked for exceptional contributions
E. Sam Cox Spirit Award—an award to a non-attorney member of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation community who epitomize enthusiasm, commitment, vision, and integrity
F. Kenneth G. Perry Professionalism Award—an award to an attorney whose career is focused on Mississippi workers’ compensation who personifies civility, honesty, competence, and irreproachable ethics
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Cocktail Reception in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Kids’ Chance Mediator Program
7:30 PM
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
*Exhibit Hall to remain open through the break Friday morning at 10:15 AM.
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST All Attendees
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
REGISTRATION & INFORMATION DESKS OPEN
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
ETHICS: THE PATH TO WELL-BEING IN PRACTICING LAW, HANDLING CLAIMS, AND THE PRESSURES AND STRESSES OF WORK
Studies have shown that many in or associated with the legal profession are struggling. The difficulties encountered are numerous and the results can be disastrous. Suicide, work addiction, sleep deprivation, job dissatisfaction, and incivility often permeate the professions and the results are seen in problem drinking, other substance abuse, suicide, depression, anxiety, and stress. There is a better way to work. This panel is going to focus on some of the problems and offer solutions to a better path to well-being.
Moderator: Dr. Jessica Cole – Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program Director, MS Bar Association
Administrative Judge Alan Goodman – Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission
Marjorie Matlock – Holcomb, Dunbar Attorneys, Oxford, MS
Brett Ferguson – Richard Schwartz and Associates, Jackson, MS
Shane Jackson – Strategic Comp, Jackson, MS
James E. Myers – Corporate Manager for Risk and Staff Attorney, Sanderson Farms, Inc.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Latest Advancements in Orthopedic Treatment of Injuries
Dr. Jim Hurt – UMMC
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
BREAK/CERTIFICATES – Exhibit Hall Closes.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
NAVIGATING THIRD PARTY CLAIMS
Megan Garrott – Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, Jackson, MS
Felissa Curry – Amfed, Ridgeland, MS
Tara Lockett – Carr Allison, Mobile, AL
Jared Hawkins – Markow Walker, Ridgeland, MS
Rocky Wilkins – Morgan & Morgan, Jackson, MS
11:30 AM
DOOR PRIZES *NOTE – Must be present to win.