First responders often carry lingering mental images of crisis and overarching feelings of despair. When a shift is over, firefighters, police officers, and dispatchers go to their homes and families, expected to enjoy their off time, but instead are filled with sadness. Brains are trained to process trauma the same way, but individual coping capacity can […]

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has received increasing attention in the media, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst what seems to be an epidemic of many mass shootings. Such attention draws concern that diagnosis may be overutilized or misunderstood. A panel of experts recently broke down the diagnostic criteria for PTSD at the 2023 Workers’ […]

This session at WCI’s 2023 Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference highlighted program strategies from the three winners of National Underwriter’s 2023 Excellence in Workers’ Compensation Risk Management Award. Bryan Conner, Manager of Workers’ Compensation, American Airlines American Airlines has a massive workforce, employing over 100,000 workers. These jobs are physically-demanding, including roles ranging from ticket agents […]

At the 2022 PARMA Annual Conference, a panel discussed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claims for public entity employees. Speakers included: Dr Ron Heredia – Westwood Evaluation and Treatment Center Vicki Lindquist – Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi LLP Dr. Tyrone Spears – City of Los Angeles Under California law, a “violent act” causing a mental […]

Even before the pandemic, presumption laws for first responders were becoming ubiquitous. However, questions remain about whether these laws are being led by science or sympathy and how we should treat similar risks and exposures for employees not favored by presumptions. In this session at WCIvirtual 2020, panelists gave a realistic assessment of whether some […]

In day two of this two-day session at WCIvirtual 2020, law firms from the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute (WCDI) discussed various employee injury trends and related laws in their states.   Panelists Included: Caitlin Beyl – Attorney at McConnaughhay, Coonrod, Pope, Weaver & Stern, PA Christopher McCue – Attorney at McConnaughhay, Coonrod, Pope, Weaver & […]

In day one of this two-day session at WCIvirtual 2020, law firms from the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute (WCDI) discussed various employee injury trends and related laws in their states. Panelists included: Kyle K. Kinney – Miller, Christie & Kinney, PC (moderator) Emily Edwards – Manning & Kass, LLP – California Walter E. Harding – […]

The public sector faces a set of unique risks and challenges. In this session at the RIMS 2019 Annual Conference & Exhibition, members of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) discussed trending topics related to public entity risk management. Speakers included: David Demchak, President & CEO, Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency Raymond Sibley, Director of […]

At the IAIABC Annual Convention in Williamsburg, VA, Celena Thompson, clinical psychologist with the Hampton VA Medical Center discussed how the VA diagnoses PTSD. With more states considering PTSD legislation under workers’ compensation, it is important for legislators and regulators to consider coming up with rules around the diagnosis of this condition. The VA’s diagnostic […]