34th Annual Claims Handling Seminar - "We're Putting The Band Back Together" at Bloomington/Normal

Casualty and Property Track Schedule

1:00 p.m.  Introductions

                   Nick Bertschy, Peoria

1:05 p.m.  Joliet Jake and Sweet Home Chicago - 1060 W Addison

                    Proper Venue and Forum Non-Conveniens

Why was this case filed in (Cook) County? Can I/ Should I move it?

                   Joe Rust, Chicago

1:20 p.m.  "You Blackmailing me, Jake?"

                   Understanding Spoliation of Evidence

What is the duty? What is the result of the violation? How to use it against an opponent? How to avoid it by your insured? How can counsel help?

                   Charles Timmerwilke, Rockford

1:35 p.m.  Rays Music Exchange

                   Attacking Gross Medical Specials in Illinois

Reasonable Value Rule - Why you should let us attack specials

                   Mark Benfield, Champaign

1:55 p.m.  Bob's Country Bunker

                   Missouri Caps on Damages

                   Rick Hunsaker, St. Louis

2:05 p.m.  Filthy Mouths and Bad Attitudes

                   Attacking Claimed Future Economic Damages/Life Care Plans in Catastrophic Cases

                   Lindsey D'Agnolo, Rockford

2:25 p.m.  Soul Food Cafe

                   Attacking Non-Economic Damages - Emotional Distress

                   Katie Anderson, Champaign

2:35 p.m.  Curl Up & Dye

                   Defending Loss of Society Damages In Wrongful Death Cases

                   Nicholas Bertschy, Peoria

2:50 p.m.  BREAK

3:00 p.m.  Southbound on State Highway 47… “"Hi, This is Car 55 - We're in a Truck."     

                   Keep on Trucking

                   Mark McClenathan, Rockford and Brittany Warren, Edwardsville

3:15 p.m.  You Can't Talk Your Way Out of This

                   The Importance of Attacking Proximate Cause - Condition vs. Cause

"But I ran out of gas, I had a flat tire, I didn't have money for the fare, someone stole my care, there was a flood, it's not my fault!!!"

                   Karl Bayer, Chicago

3:30 p.m.  "Rawhide...Head 'em Up, Move 'em On, Cut 'em Out!"

                   Illinois Prejudgment Interest Statute                   

Is it constitutional? What does it require? The importance of early case evaluation on liability and damages. 

                   Dominique Seymoure, Edwardsville

3:45 p.m.  Murph and the Magic Tones

                   The Goal of Reaching Several Liability

Understanding 2-1117 and division of percentages of fault - not including the employer.

                    Bryan Vayr, Champaign

3:55 p.m.  Freedom

                   Early Settlement in Multi-party Cases - Good Faith Findings

Should we be the first to settle? Can/Should we oppose the co-defendant's settlement? What should our strategy be?

                   Michael Bedesky, Edwardsville   

4:05 p.m.  Minnie the Moocher

                   Medicare Updates/Trends

                   Joe Guyette, Champaign

4:20 p.m.  It’s a hundred miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas…it’s dark out and we’re wearing sunglasses

                   Case Law Update: Illinois and Missouri

                   Ann Barron, Edwardsville

4:30 p.m. Social Hour

Workers' Compensation Track Schedule

1:00 p.m.  Opening Remarks

                   Craig Young, Peoria and Toney Tomaso, Champaign, Edwardsville

1:05 p.m.  Can you win in Illinois?  Yes, you can! 

A Path to Success

                   Brad Antonacci, Chicago

1:30 p.m.  Case Law Update #1

                   Jessica Bell, Peoria and Springfield

1:35 p.m.  Medicare Trends and Updates

                   Joseph Guyette, Champaign

2:00 p.m.  Case Law Update #2

                   Jessica Bell, Peoria and Springfield

2:05 p.m.  Dual Jurisdiction Claims: Considerations for the Defense

How to Properly Resolve a Case

                   Amber Cameron, Edwardsville and St. Louis

2:20 p.m.  Case Law Update #3

                   Jessica Bell, Peoria and Springfield

2:25 p.m.  TTE Programs:  Can we force the employee back to work?

                   Dan Simmons, Springfield

2:45 p.m.  Break

3:00 p.m.  The gray zone between Workers’ Compensation law and Employment law – we are here to answer your questions.

                   Brian Smith, Champaign and Toney Tomaso, Champaign, Edwardsville

3:20 p.m.  Case Law Update #4

                   Jessica Bell, Peoria and Springfield

3:25 p.m.  Post Covid Work Comp Process in Illinois

                   Bruce Bonds, Champaign

3:40 p.m.  Case Law Update #5

                   Jessica Bell, Peoria and Springfield

3:45 p.m.  Loss of Occupation

What you need to know and how to stop the trend in Illinois WC

                   Kevin Luther, Chicago and Rockford

4:10 p.m.  Case Law Update #6

                   Jessica Bell, Peoria and Springfield

4:30 p.m.  Social Hour