Year 1 Learning Objectives

* Understanding the history and guiding principles of workers compensation laws, including their evolution, purpose, and the balance they seek between employer liability and employee protection.
* Determining compensability with confidence, including assessing whether an accident occurred within the course and scope of employment, how time and place impact eligibility, and what deviations may disqualify a claim.
* Distinguishing between occupational injuries and illnesses, and understanding how each is defined, evaluated, and handled within the context of workers compensation regulations.
* Making informed decisions throughout the claims process, including recognizing the various stakeholders (injured worker, employer, medical providers, attorneys) and effectively managing interactions and expectations.
* Understanding the fundamentals of claim reserving, including how to forecast costs at various stages of the claim and the key factors to consider when setting accurate and defensible reserves.
* Recognizing the importance of medical management, including coordinating care, ensuring timely and appropriate treatment, and implementing strategies to improve both recovery and cost outcomes.
* Identifying effective claim resolution strategies, from communication and negotiation to settlement structures and the role of ancillary services in facilitating closure.
* Understanding the exclusive remedy doctrine, how it limits employee legal recourse in most claims, and how to evaluate potential subrogation opportunities when third-party liability is involved.