Michael Nolan to Retire as President of CWCI, Alex Swedlow Named Successor

Michael Nolan to Retire as President of CWCI, Alex Swedlow Named Successor Related Articles Author: California Workers' Compensation Institute Michael Nolan to Retire as President of CWCI, Alex Swedlow Named Successor Oakland – J. Michael Nolan has announced his retirement as president of the Oakland-based California Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI) effective May 1, 2013. The Institute's Board of Directors has named Alex Swedlow, CWCI's Executive Vice President for Research, as his successor. "We knew this day would eventually arrive, and extend our sincere appreciation to Michael for all his contributions to CWCI, its members, and the California workers' compensation system" said Tom Rowe, President and CEO of State Compensation Insurance Fund and chairman of the CWCI Board. "Under Michael's steady and insightful leadership, CWCI has remained an indispensable resource for our members and the industry by generating reliable data that helps them make informed business decisions, track industry trends, and analyze key issues in the industry. Michael is leaving us in a very good place, and we thank him for his many years of service." Mr. Nolan joined the Institute in June 2001 as successor to former president, Ed Woodward. His career in the insurance industry spans more than 40 years, including 10 years at Argonaut Insurance, where he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. During his time with the Institute, Mr. Nolan served on a number of government and private advisory committees, including working groups of the California Division of Workers' Compensation, the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, the Department of Insurance, the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau and RAND Corporation. Additionally, Mr. Nolan periodically testified on workers' compensation issues at public hearings of the California State Legislature and administrative agencies, including last year's workers' compensation reform hearing that culminated in the enactment of the 2012 reform bill (SB 863). "My years with CWCI have been some of the most rewarding of my career," said Mr. Nolan. "I am thankful for the great opportunities I had with CWCI and look forward to its continued success under Alex Swedlow, who brings impressive credentials and deep industry expertise." Following his retirement from CWCI and a short sabbatical, Mr. Nolan intends to re-enter the workers' compensation industry or corporate-regulatory law field. Effective April 2 Mr. Swedlow will become the fourth President at CWCI in almost 50 years. Mr. Swedlow formally joined CWCI in November 2000 as Executive Vice President of Research, where he focused on data development and research on cost drivers, evidence-based medicine, opioid utilization, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, access to care, return-to-work and key performance indicators of the 2002-2004 and 2012 California workers' compensation reforms. Prior to that, Mr. Swedlow was an independent consultant to CWCI from 1988 to 1999, working to enhance data collection and research on topics including medical and indemnity benefit development, 24-hour coverage and medical treatment utilization, and cost drivers. In 1998, he served as the Systems Architect and Project Manager for the Industry Claims Information System (ICIS) Project, which has since grown into one of the largest and most vital transactional data warehouses in the California workers' compensation system. Mr. Swedlow is an active participant in industry advisory committee work and frequently speaks at regional and national conferences and forums. "I'm thrilled to take on this new responsibility and lead CWCI in its next chapter," said Mr. Swedlow. "As CWCI looks to its next 50 years, we have an opportunity to further establish our role as a critical but objective industry resource." ### The California Workers' Compensation Institute, established in 1964, is a private, nonprofit organization of insurers licensed to write workers' compensation in California, as well as public and private self-insured employers, who serve as associate members. CWCI's primary function is to generate reliable, objective data that can be used to identify and monitor system-wide trends, assist members in assessing their own operations, and to analyze key issues of interest to the workers' compensation community and public policymakers. Toward that end, the Institute also produces a wide variety of research publications, provides information and technical training to help industry professionals stay abreast of changes, and serves as a forum where members can consider system-wide issues and reach consensus on practical solutions. CWCI members include insurers that write approximately 80 percent of the workers' compensation business in the state, and two dozen public and private self-insured employers. The Institute's website is www.cwci.org. Tags:
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National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (3/11/2013)

National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (3/11/2013) Related Articles Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Newsroom Staff National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (3/11/2013) Sign up here for our free workers' compensation enewsletters (National or California Edition) to receive weekly news items. Be sure to select the enewsletter of your http://cortrightlaw.com/workers-compensation choice. NATIONAL NEWS:
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Kids' Chance of California Fact Sheet

Kids' Chance of California Fact Sheet Related Articles Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Newsroom Staff Kids' Chance of California Fact Sheet Kids' Chance of California is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to provide need-based educational scholarships to the children of California workers who have been fatally or seriously injured on the job. Why Kids' Chance? In 2010 there were over 464,000 workplace injuries in California, resulting in 302 deaths (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Web Site, 2010 data). Serious work-related accidents can have a devastating impact on families, especially children. The financial impact can be life shattering. The future can look frightening to someone whose parent or spouse has been seriously or fatally injured at work. Already confronting difficult emotions, they often must confront the hurdle of funding their education-the key to their future and ours. Each year, hundreds of kids face this challenge. We can make a difference in California. Kids' Chance believes: * Children are society's most valuable resource. * We have an obligation to give children the tools they need to succeed in life. * Access to higher education ensures that children have the necessary skills to be successful in the workplace. * Investing in our children's future provides them the opportunity to make a difference in their own and other people's lives. How to Make a Donation: Currently donations can only be made by check. Tax identification number 46-0534585. Checks should be made payable to: Kids' Chance of California
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.lexisnexis.com/Community/workerscompensationlaw/blogs/newsheadlines/archive/2013/04/18/kids-chance-of-california-fact-sheet.aspx

National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (4/29/2013)

Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Newsroom Staff National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (4/29/2013) Sign up here for our free workers' compensation enewsletters (National or California Edition) to receive weekly news items. Be sure to select the enewsletter of your choice. NATIONAL NEWS:
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Michael Nolan to Retire as President of CWCI, Alex Swedlow Named Successor

Author: California Workers' Compensation Institute Michael Nolan to Retire as President of CWCI, Alex Swedlow Named Successor Oakland – J. Michael Nolan has announced his retirement as president of the Oakland-based California Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI) effective May 1, 2013. The Institute's Board of Directors has named Alex Swedlow, CWCI's Executive Vice President for Research, as his successor. "We knew this day would eventually arrive, and extend our sincere appreciation to Michael for all his contributions to CWCI, its members, and the California workers' compensation system" said Tom Rowe, President and CEO of State Compensation Insurance Fund and chairman of the CWCI Board. "Under Michael's steady and insightful leadership, CWCI has remained an indispensable resource for our members and the industry by generating reliable data that helps them make informed business decisions, track industry trends, and analyze key issues in the industry. Michael is leaving us in a very good place, and we thank him for his many years of service." Mr. Nolan joined the Institute in June 2001 as successor to former president, Ed Woodward. His career in the insurance industry spans more than 40 years, including 10 years at Argonaut Insurance, where he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. During his time with the Institute, Mr. Nolan served on a number of government and private advisory committees, including working groups of the California Division of Workers' Compensation, the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, the Department of Insurance, the California Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau and RAND Corporation. Additionally, Mr. Nolan periodically testified on workers' compensation issues at public hearings of the California State Legislature and administrative agencies, including last year's workers' compensation reform hearing that culminated in the enactment of the 2012 reform bill (SB 863). "My years with CWCI have been some of the most rewarding of my career," said Mr. Nolan. "I am thankful for the great opportunities I had with CWCI and look forward to its continued success under Alex Swedlow, who brings impressive credentials and deep industry expertise." Following his retirement from CWCI and a short sabbatical, Mr. Nolan intends to re-enter the workers' compensation industry or corporate-regulatory law field. Effective April 2 Mr. Swedlow will become the fourth President at CWCI in almost 50 years. Mr. Swedlow formally joined CWCI in November 2000 as Executive Vice President of Research, where he focused on data development and research on cost drivers, evidence-based medicine, opioid utilization, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, access to care, return-to-work and key performance indicators of the 2002-2004 and 2012 California workers' compensation reforms. Prior to that, Mr. Swedlow was an independent consultant to CWCI from 1988 to 1999, working to enhance data collection and research on topics including medical and indemnity benefit development, 24-hour coverage and medical treatment utilization, and cost drivers. In 1998, he served as the Systems Architect and Project Manager for the Industry Claims Information System (ICIS) Project, which has since grown into one of the largest and most vital transactional data warehouses in the California workers' compensation system. Mr. Swedlow is an active participant in industry advisory committee work and frequently speaks at regional and national conferences and forums. "I'm thrilled to take on this new responsibility and lead CWCI in its next chapter," said Mr. Swedlow. "As CWCI looks to its next 50 years, we have an opportunity to further establish our role as a critical but objective industry resource." ### The California Workers' Compensation Institute, established in 1964, is a private, nonprofit organization of insurers licensed to write workers' compensation in California, as well as public and private self-insured employers, who serve as associate members. CWCI's primary function is to generate reliable, objective data that can be used to identify and monitor system-wide trends, assist members in assessing their own operations, and to analyze key issues of interest to the workers' compensation community and public policymakers. Toward that end, the Institute also produces a wide variety of research publications, provides information and technical training to help industry professionals stay abreast of changes, and serves as a forum where members can consider system-wide issues and reach consensus on practical solutions. CWCI members include insurers that write approximately 80 percent of the workers' compensation business in the state, and two dozen public and private self-insured employers. The Institute's website is www.cwci.org. Tags:
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Kids' Chance of California Fact Sheet

Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Newsroom Staff Kids' Chance of California Fact Sheet Kids' Chance of California is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to provide need-based educational scholarships to the children of California workers who have been fatally or seriously injured on the job. Why Kids' Chance? In 2010 there were over 464,000 workplace injuries in California, resulting in 302 deaths (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Web Site, 2010 data). Serious work-related accidents can have a devastating impact on families, especially children. The financial impact can be life shattering. The future can look frightening to someone whose parent or spouse has been seriously or fatally injured at work. Already confronting difficult emotions, they often must confront the hurdle of funding their education-the key to their future and ours. Each year, hundreds of kids face this challenge. We can make a difference in California. Kids' Chance believes: * Children are society's most valuable resource. * We have an obligation to give children the tools they need to succeed in life. * Access to higher education ensures that children have the necessary skills to be successful in the workplace. * Investing in our children's future provides them the opportunity to make a difference in their own and other people's lives. How to Make a Donation: Currently donations can only be made by check. Tax identification number 46-0534585. Checks should be made payable to: Kids' Chance of California
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.lexisnexis.com/COMMUNITY/WORKERSCOMPENSATIONLAW/blogs/newsheadlines/archive/2013/04/18/kids-chance-of-california-fact-sheet.aspx

National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (4/22/2013)

Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Newsroom Staff National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (4/22/2013) Sign up http://cortrightlaw.com/workers-compensation here for our free workers' compensation enewsletters (National or California Edition) to receive weekly news items. Be sure to select the enewsletter of your choice. NATIONAL NEWS:
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CWCI Continues Case Law Series With 2013 Update

Author: California Workers' Compensation Institute CWCI Continues Case Law Series With 2013 Update The California Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI) has announced it will conduct a one-day case law seminar in May in both Long Beach and San Francisco. The program will examine how recent trends in decisional law are reshaping California workers' compensation, and discuss appropriate negotiation and defense strategies for claims personnel, attorneys, hearing reps, case managers, nurses, rehab professionals and others with negotiating authority. This is the 15th year that the Institute has conducted the program, and CWCI General Counsel Mike McClain has moderated the seminars since their inception. McClain notes, "While the courts are still wrangling with issues that have arisen from the 2004 reforms, SB 863, signed by Governor Brown last fall, presents a whole new list of issues for the courts to address. Given the volume and complexity of litigation in California workers' compensation, it is critical that those responsible for delivering benefits and defending claims stay on top of the changes and understand current case law. These seminars will include an update on recent rulings, with a focus on the practical impact of case law for those with negotiating authority. Our faculty includes attorneys Michael Marks and Saul Allweiss of the Law Offices of Allweiss & McMurtry, and Richard Jacobsmeyer of Shaw, Jacobsmeyer, Crain & Claffey, all of whom have both applicant and defense experience. We use a debate-style format to present alternate views on recent decisions and insights into what they mean for those trying to deliver benefits or defend claims." The 2013 program will explore a wide range of cases and topics, including PD rating; psych issues; medical treatment issues; and lien litigation. CWCI will present the seminar from 9 a.m. to http://www.socallawsupport.com/ 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13 at the Grand Event Center in Long Beach, and repeat the program on Thursday, May 16 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Tuition is $395, with a $75 discount available to CWCI member company employees. The fee includes a syllabus with summaries of significant decisions and full citations, Continental breakfast and lunch. The Institute has applied to the State Bar of California as a continuing education provider for attorneys and certificates will be provided for Department of Insurance workers' compensation claims administrator credits, and for submission to the Association of Hearing Representatives of California. Preregistration and prepayment are required. For details or to register online, click the "Seminar" button at www.cwci.org, or if you have questions or need accommodation of special needs, call the Institute at 510-251-9470. Source: CWCI
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National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (3/18/2013)

Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Community Staff National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (3/18/2013) Sign up here for our free workers' compensation enewsletters (National or California Edition) to receive weekly news http://attorney-in-rancho-cucamonga.com/more-information/workers-compensation/ items. Be sure to select the enewsletter of your choice. NATIONAL NEWS:
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Suzanne Emmet Named President Of Kids’ Chance Of America – Eastern Insurance Holdings Senior Vice President to Serve Two-Year Term

Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Community Staff Suzanne Emmet Named President Of Kids' Chance Of America – Eastern Insurance Holdings Senior Vice President to Serve Two-Year Term Suzanne Emmet, CPCU, CCEP, ARe, Senior Vice President of Claims and Corporate Compliance at Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Eastern) in Lancaster, was recently named president of Kids' Chance of America (KCA) . The mission of KCA is to create, assist and support all Kids' Chance organizations and other similar programs nationwide that provide educational opportunities and scholarships for the children of workers seriously injured or killed on the job. Emmet was elected president of the all-volunteer board of directors at KCA's annual meeting in May, and will serve a two-year term. She will be responsible for leading the development of a strategic plan for the organization, which is still in its early stages. Emmet http://attorney-in-temecula.com/more-information/workers-compensation/ has more than 24 years of experience in the insurance and claims industry, and has worked at Eastern for 15 years. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation's Conference Program Committee and a contributing author for the PA Chamber of Commerce's 2011 and 2013 editions of the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Guide. Emmet was recognized as a member of the 2002 Lancaster MS Leadership Class and is a two-time Athena Award finalist. She received her B.A. degree in Government from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. KCA is not a typical national non-profit organization in its structure. The first Kids' Chance organization was founded in Georgia in 1987. Several more state organizations were established in the following years. In 2007, a group of state organizations joined together to create an overarching national organization to facilitate the sharing of ideas and fundraising at the national level. "This is an exciting time for KCA. Now that the framework for the national organization is in place, we are gaining momentum with our fundraising efforts and increased awareness in the workers' compensation industry, and our Board can now focus on a strategic plan and operating as a cohesive country-wide organization," said Emmet. To that end, KCA has enlisted the services of The Burkhart Group to manage the organizational, strategic and day-to-day functions of the national group. Vicki Burkhart will serve as executive director of KCA. "In addition to utilizing the resources of The Burkhart Group to support our infrastructure, we are thrilled that externally, on the national level, KCA now has a voice in Washington, D.C.," notes Emmet. "Jeremy Bethancourt, one of our Kids' Chance of Arizona board members, was recently appointed to the U.S. Secretary of Labor's Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH)." About Kids' Chance According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 4,000,000 workplace injuries each year in the United States, resulting in approximately 1,000,000 disabling injuries and 5,000 deaths. These serious work-related accidents can have a devastating effect on families, especially children. Already overwhelmed with difficult emotions, these children must now confront the hurdle of funding their education. The mission of Kids' Chance is to help these children reach their potential by providing them with educational scholarships, so that they can pursue their dreams of graduating from various institutions of higher education. For more information, visit www.kidschance.org . Tags:
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National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (2/25/2013)

Author: LexisNexis Workers' Comp Law Community http://attorney-in-temecula.com/more-information/workers-compensation/ Staff National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup Powered by Larson's (2/25/2013) Sign up here for our free workers' compensation enewsletters (National or California Edition) to receive weekly news items. Be sure to select the enewsletter of your choice. NATIONAL NEWS:
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.lexisnexis.com/Community/workerscompensationlaw/blogs/newsheadlines/archive/2013/02/25/national-and-state-by-state-workers-comp-news-roundup-powered-by-larson-s-2-25-2013.aspx