Event History

The Man Behind the Conference...

Dr. David J. Fletcher is a renowned expert in the field of occupational and preventive medicine. His desire to remain on the cutting-edge, in the state of Illinois, created the annual work injury conference we know today. Since 1992, the conference has grown to be one of the most interactive, well-known conferences of its kind in the state of Illinois. Dr. Fletcher felt that by being the one to organize a conference, such as this one, that it would be a way in which to expose topics, concerns and provide solutions to our state’s workers’ compensation issues. Each year the conference strives to provide an open forum that brings together diverse groups of individuals, all of who possess a vital stake in the Illinois workers’ compensation system. Aimed at improving the current system, new topics, discussion and debates are brought to the forefront to audiences who will benefit the most from this type of venue. Businesses and industries are continuing to leave Illinois based on the expense of workers’ compensation costs. As a small business owner himself, Dr. Fletcher’s motivation is to not only increase knowledge in this field of study, but also to try and keep business and industry in Illinois. Thus the reason we see the work injury conference in its 19th year! 

Past Conferences

18th Work Injury Conference: "The Reality of Workers' Compensation"

  • Location: Chicago, IL
    • Discussed current issues facing the Illinois Workers' Compensation System in 2010 and identified key players who largely contributed to the success of the system
    • Provided two case studies with solutions and recommendations for dealing with real vs. fraudulent chronic pain cases.
    • Shared new resources and technologies that facilitate the management of workers' compensation claims and maximize recovery.
    • Explored the overall impact of the 2005 workers' compensation fraud provisions.
    • Understand the fundamental need for additional worker's compensation reform based on the viewpoints of the new acting chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC), Amy Masters.
    • Created networking opportunities for all participants in order to establish a better understanding of individual roles and how those roles generate positive change and improvement within the IWCC.

17th Work Injury Conference: "Work injury in a Down Economy: Exploring Recession Ramifications on the Workers' Compensation System"

  • Location: Champaign, IL
    • In an interactive discussion on the issues facing workers' compensation in 2010, attendees helped reenact an injured workers' progress through the workers' compensation system to resolution. Experienced professionals educated and moderated the audience on cirtical topics affecting the workers compensation system and recommended solutions to improve the Illinois Workers' Compensation System.
    • Conference goal/objective is to ultimately contorl costs, and improve the overall health of today's workforce.

16th Annual Work Injury Confernce: "Prevention and Control Strategies"

  • Location: Champaign, IL
    • Provide a framework for employers to influence their corporate culture to prevent work injury and proactively respond to work injuries when they occur.
    • Provide a case study with solutions and recommendations from the experience of a large local employer that successfully changed their Workers' Compensation culture to achieve positive change by creating trust and a sense of fairness with their employees.
    • Educate attendees on the cost drivers of the Illinois Workers' Compensation system to iimplement effective strategies to combat these cost drivers so employers do not feel they are powerless regarding the Workers' Compensation system.
    • Discuss the impact of the 2005 Workers' Compensation fraud provisions.
    • Educate attendees about the impact of utilization review and other recent trends in Workers' Compensation cases from the perspective of the petitioner and respondent attorney.
    • Provide attendees with a game plan to combat the reality of an aging workforce with proactive solutions for rising health costs and an aging workforce.  
 
Testimonials

  • Really enjoyed the interactive format and seeing all of the different discipline involved in WC claims.

  • Fantastic presentations overall, perfect length of time, loved the open forum style. Excellent conference!

  • This conference was well-planned and well-executed. We were given very good information and a variety of viewpoints. It left you wanting more for another day.

  • This was a great format for a conference, very interesting. One of the best conferences I have been to in a long time!!

  • Well done! The conference was great and very interactive. I left with a lot of practical and useful information.

  • Fabulous conference, excellent perspectives. The diverse backgrounds of speakers were thought provoking.