Monday, September 30, 2013

Schedule Announced For Continuing Education Confenence


Vermont Department of Labor’s

Adjusters’ Continuing Education

October 24 & 25, 2013 Schedule

Thurs.
Oct. 24
ADIRONDACK AB
ADIRONDACK C
ADIRONDACK D
 
12:30 pm
 
Update on Issues
 
 
 
 
 
12:50
 
Basics of Workers’ Compensation (Jurisdiction-Compensability)
 
 
Permanent Total Claims
 
 
Traumatic Brain Injuries
 
 
1:50
 
Basics of Workers’ Compensation
Benefits Issues
 
 
 
Ethics in Workers’ Compensation
 
 
Causation Issues in Workers’ Compensation
Part 1
 
 
 
2:50
 
Break
 
 
 
3:00
 
Low Back Pain-What Do We Really Know
 
 
Vocational Rehabilitation
 
 
Causation Issues in Workers’ Compensation
Part 2
 
 
3:50
Break
 
 
 
4:00
 
Observations on Opioids in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
 
 
Calculating Average Weekly Wage and Preparing Forms
 
 
 
Manipulative Therapy in Workers’ Compensation
 
5pm
Day 1 Ends
 
 
Friday
Oct. 25
 
 
 
 
8:15 am
 
 
Breakfast
 
 
8:30
Legal Update
 
 
 
Meet the DOL - Situations That Cause the Most Confusion in Adjusting a Claim
Pain Disorders in Litigation
 
 
 
9:30
 
Break
 
 
 
9:45
 
Mock Mediation
 
 
 
Meet the DOL - Situations That Cause the Most Confusion in Adjusting a Claim
 
The FCE
 
10:50
Mock Trial
 
 
Meet the DOL - Situations That Cause the Most Confusion in Adjusting a Claim
Medicare Set A Side
 
12:00
Conference Ends
 
 

 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Vermont Workers’ Compensation Adjusters’ Continuing Education Approved for CLE Credits for Vermont Lawyers

The  "Vermont Workers’ Compensation Adjusters’ Continuing Education" to be held on October 24 & 25, 2013 has been approved for 7.5 general credits, including 1.0 ethics credits of continuing legal education. 

Thursday, September 5, 2013

DOL Specialist Assignments Effective September 5

The Vermont Department of Labor has reassigned files, effective September 5, 2013, due to the departure of specialist Lisa Brassard.  Questions should be directed to the Department of Labor, (802) 828-2286.   

The Department Memo states in part:

Specialist II Reassignments, effective September 5, 2013:            

This reassignment plan contemplates the abandonment of the number –0.  If you have a claim ending in “-0,” for example EE-56090, go to the number immediately preceding to identify your assigned WC Specialists II and I.  In this example, given that the number previous to the “-0” is “-9,” your assigned Specialists would be WC Specialist II Anne Coutermarsh and WC Specialist I Shirley Houghton.

Assigned Specialist II                    Assigned Specialist I                                


-1        Anne Coutermarsh                   Shirley Houghton
-2        Anne Coutermarsh                   Shirley Houghton
-9        Anne Coutermarsh                   Shirley Houghton

-3        Mary Sarazin                            Muriel Landis
-4        Mary Sarazin                            Muriel Landis
-5*      Mary Sarazin                            Muriel Landis
 
-6        Julie Charonko                          Wendell Sargent
-7        Julie Charonko                          Wendell Sargent
-8        Julie Charonko                          Wendell Sargent

* In the short-term, some Form 27s and other matters in “-5” claims may be temporarily assigned to other staff to handle.  Nevertheless, all correspondence related to contested “-5” matters should be directed to Mary Sarazin until further notice.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Department Revises Vocational Rehabilitation Referral Form


The Vermont Department of Labor has revised the form used to refer injured workers for vocational rehabilitation services.

The new Vocational Rehabilitation Referral Form (VR-1) requires the following new information:
(1)  electronic mail addresses for the claimant, claimant's attorney, the vocational provider and the adjuster/defense attorney; and 
(2)  the name of a contact person at the employer. 

The revisions move the lines to identify the name of the treating physician and the type of injury sustained to the section entitled, "Employee Information."

The Department has noted, that as of now, companies should discontinue use of the prior version of the VR-1.
 
The new form is located at the following link:

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Hilton Hotel Room Block Filling Quickly For Vermont Workers' Compensation Conference

The Vermont Department of Labor’s Workers’ Compensation Adjusters’ Continuing Education is scheduled for October 24 and 25th at the Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont.   Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd. has been informed that the original room block has filled.  Arrangements have been made to add a number of additional rooms to the block.  Due to increased interest in this final seminar of the two year cycle, it is suggested that participants register and reserve their rooms early.

The link below takes you to the registration for the October 24 & 25 conference.
The Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont has a block of rooms has been secured for the conference. The link below will provide access to easy online reservations. Guests can also contact 1-800-Hiltons using the code: VTD for the discounted rate.