The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) is hosting a conference May 9-10 for employers, insurers, attorneys, medical providers, union representatives, safety and human resource managers, and vocational assistance providers to gain knowledge, engage in professional networking, and refresh their skills about the workers’ compensation system. Anyone with a professional interest in the workers’ compensation system will benefit from this event.
The 21st Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Portland – Columbia Riverfront, 909 N. Hayden Island Drive.
Conference topics include claim filing and dispute resolution to return-to-work programs and mental health in the workplace.
WCD, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, is hosting the conference with the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation.
On Friday, May 10, the conference will feature a keynote panel discussion with Sydney Montanaro, a worker attorney with Thomas, Coon, Newton, & Frost; and Lauren Oda, an employer and insurer attorney with SBH Legal.
The panel, moderated by WCD Resolution Section Manager Kirsten Schrock, will explore common situations in workers’ compensation and provide the speakers’ own unique outlook. Each panelist will share their views based on the experience of representing their clients, offering different perspectives, as well as areas of common interest.
The conference, which includes breakfast, lunch, and exhibits, offers many workplace safety and health topics. They include:
• Case law updates from the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board
• A session covering workers’ compensation basics
• An overview of Oregon’s nationally recognized return-to-work programs and the benefits to employers, insurers, and injured workers
• Oregon legislative update
• Progress report on the WCD Modernization program
• Workplace recordkeeping and reporting
• Worksite modification
• “Total Worker Health,” presented by Oregon Health and Science University
• A deep dive into first payment of temporary disability
• A specialized fleet training to reduce risky driving
• Sanctions education, new civil penalty overview, and how to avoid penalties
The Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference also features a special networking event at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, at the host hotel. The event invites attendees to meet workers’ compensation professionals in the region. Light refreshments will be served.
Registration for the two-day event is $325 until April 1. After April 1, the cost of registration increases to $400. Register at https://workcompevent.com/oregon/oregon-workers-compensation-conference-2024. For more information about WCD conferences, go online [ https://wcd.oregon.gov/training/conference/Pages/index.aspx ], send an email to jennifer.l.hlad@dcbs.oregon.gov, or call 971-719-6023.
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#OregonWCD
The Workers’ Compensation Division, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, administers and regulates the state's workers’ compensation laws and rules. For more information, go to wcd.oregon.gov.
The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dcbs.oregon.gov.
Autumn Blake, communications coordinator
503-856-6660
autumn.k.blake@dcbs.oregon.gov
