Celebrating 100 Years of Workers' Compensation in Vermont:
Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future
Tuesday, September 15
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Vermont is commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Vermont Workers' Compensation Act this year. To celebrate a century of joint progress toward safer workplaces and collaboration between employees and employers, the Workers' Compensation Centennial Steering Committee has worked on a number of events and initiatives, including a special conference to be held on September 15 in Montpelier. This conference will feature panels on the history of workers' compensation nationally and in Vermont, best practices and lessons for employers and workers in return to work and workplace safety, reviews of major reforms around the country, and proposals for improving workers' compensation in Vermont going forward. We will also be highlighting and encouraging support for Kids’ Chance, a national charity providing scholarships for children of injured workers. The Vermont chapter was recently founded and is very deserving of support.
Managers, workers, business and labor advocates, legal and insurance professionals, legislators and regulators, and any other Vermonters interested in workers' compensation are welcome to register to attend.
Registration is required by September 10, and is $50 per attendee. For more information and to register, you can go to the Events section at www.aivt.org, or you can email [email protected].
Prospective attendees are encouraged to send us questions and suggestions for the presenters ahead of time.
AGENDA
8:30 | Registration
9:00 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Annie Noonan, Commissioner, Department of Labor
9:10 | Historical Review and Analysis
How Did We Get Here: The History and Key Developments Shaping a Century of Workers’ Compensation Nationally and in Vermont
Justice Brian Burgess, retired, Vermont Supreme Court
Paul Gillies, Partner, Tarrant, Gillies & Richardson
Steve Monahan, Director, Workers’ Compensation and Safety Division, Department of Labor
Moderator: Keith Kasper, President, McCormick, Fitzpatrick, Kasper & Burchard
10:40 | Break
10:50 | Best Practices
Models and Lessons for Making Workers’ Compensation Work Best for Employees and Employers, Including Workplace Safety, Return to Work, and More
Donna Curtin, Owner and Certified Vocational Counselor, VRS Disability Management
Scott Meyer, Program Director, Project WorkSAFE, Workers’ Compensation and Safety Division, Department of Labor
Dr. Austin Sumner, Occupational Medical Physician and Medical Director, Occupational Medicine, Central Vermont Medical Center
Moderator: Dennis LaBounty, Political Director, Vermont AFL-CIO
12:00 | Lunch Keynote Address and Presentation on Kids’ Chance
Robert Wilson, President and CEO, WorkersCompensation.com
Keith Kasper, President, McCormick, Fitzpatrick, Kasper & Burchard
1:00 | Reforming Workers’ Compensation
National Perspectives and Lessons
Peter Rousmaniere, Consultant and Columnist on Workers’ Compensation and Risk Management
Peter Burton, Senior Division Executive for State Relations, National Council on Compensation Insurance
Paul Sighinolfi, Executive Director, Maine Workers’ Compensation Board and Member, Board of Directors, International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions
Moderator: Laura Backus Hall, State Relations Executive, National Council on Compensation Insurance
2:00 | Reforming Workers’ Compensation
Perspectives and Proposals for Vermont
William Driscoll, Vice President, Associated Industries of Vermont
John Hollar, Director, DRM
David Mickenberg, Senior Strategist, Necrason Group
Steve Monahan, Director, Workers’ Compensation and Safety Division, Department of Labor
Co-Facilitators: Representative Bill Botzow, Chair, House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, and Senator Michael Sirotkin, Member, Senate Finance Committee.
3:00 | Wrap Up Questions and Discussion; Closing Remarks
Annie Noonan, Commissioner, Department of Labor
United States