Workers’ Compensation Update and Round Table Discussion

The Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council was created in 1968 and is made up of key stakeholders, including carriers, employers, attorneys and labor. Typically, this Council creates an agreed bill to modify and update the Workers’ Compensation Act, which is sent to the legislature on a biennial basis, and ultimately approved. For the first time since 1968, the legislature failed to adopt the Council’s 2014 proposed bill. Since then, there has been plenty of political wrangling and a few proposed bills created by other legislators outside of the Council. That background likely played a part in getting labor’s approval of some decidedly pro-employer changes in the 2016 proposed bill, which has now been signed into law effective March 2, 2016.  Attendees will get an overview regarding the recent changes in Workers’ Compensation.

Enjoy our March program that will provide a great explanation on the updates from the lawyer prospective given by James E. Panther as well as a round table discussion with Jen Weiterman, Sr. WC Claims Representative.

Speakers
James E. Panther, Employment Counseling  Wage and Hour Audits Policy Development Litigation 

James E. Panther helps employers manage a full range of workplace issues through preventative counseling and strategic litigation defense.  As a member of the Employment Law Practice Group, Jim knows how to identify problems before they arise and his preventative advice regarding day-to-day workplace issues allows employers to reduce their risks, control costs and minimize liability exposure.  Jim has a particular focus advising clients on wage and hour matters; FMLA administration; age, sex and disability discrimination; policy development; discipline and discharge; workplace violence response planning and OSHA compliance.

Jim is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin Labor & Employment Law Section, State Bar of Wisconsin Litigation Section and the State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Division. Jim received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School where he served on the Moot Court Board and was a member of the National Moot Court Team.

Jen Weiterman, Sr. WC Claims Representative

Jen Weiterman graduated from Carthage College with a B.S degree in Political Science, and after a short stint working for the Federal Government, decided to move on to more stable employment as an Adjudicator for the State of Wisconsin Unemployment office.  After serving time in government positions, she ventured out into the private sector,  in the exciting field of Worker’s Compensation insurance.  Since October of 2016 she has been serving as a Senior Worker’s Compensation Claims Representative for Acuity, helping out employers and injured workers navigate through the complex ever changing landscape of Workers Compensation.  In her free time she enjoys attending different sporting events of her children including Augsburg College Football, Slinger Basketball, and Softball.

Agenda
11:30 – Registration
11:45 – Lunch
12:30 pm – Presentation
12:30 – 1:30 Jim present
1:30 – 2:00 Jen present
2:00 pm – Closing

Menu
The “Souper Salad Bar” Buffet