We are pleased to announce the
2024
Workers' Compensation & Insurance Defense Seminar
Workers' Compensation & Insurance Defense Seminar
We are excited to host this year's seminar at the prestigious Omni Hotel in Las Colinas, Irving, Texas. This will be our first live seminar since before Covid.
Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest trends, challenges, and strategies in Oklahoma Workers' Compensation as we are committed to educating employers and carriers on the ever-changing laws and best practices for protecting against and preventing workers’ compensation injuries.
Mark your calendars and prepare to engage with the industry's leading and thought-provoking professionals. Continuing Education credits for Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas.
We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an informative and impactful event.
Location
Omni Las Colinas Hotel
221 Las Colinas Blvd E,
Irving, TX 75039
221 Las Colinas Blvd E,
Irving, TX 75039
Date & Time
September 27, 2024
Breakfast 7:30 a.m.
Seminar 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Lunch provided
Breakfast 7:30 a.m.
Seminar 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Lunch provided
Speakers
Donald A. Bullard
Don graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1984. After practicing with other firms as an associate, Don founded Bullard and Associates
in 1992. He and the firm are AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell
and listed in Best’s Recommended Insurance Defense Attorneys.
In addition to the defense of workers’ compensation injuries, including subrogation, Bullard & Associates is committed to educating employers and carriers on the ever-changing workers' compensation laws, trends, and best practices for protecting against and preventing workers’ compensation injuries. Don was the 7th attorney from Oklahoma to be inducted as
a Fellow in the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers.
He began his fourth consecutive year as Chairman of the Human Resources
and Labor Committee of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce
for the 2024–2025 legislative session.
Don’s service and dedication to the field was recognized by the
Chamber when he received the Chairman’s Award
at the annual meeting in 2021. Don graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1984. He is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and is admitted to practice in the Western, Northern and Eastern Federal Courts as well as the United States Supreme Court. Outside of the office,
Don enjoys golf, pickleball, traveling with his wife and spending time with his grandchildren.
H. Lee Endicott
Lee is a partner at Bullard & Associates, where he brings more than thirty years of experience in workers’ compensation
defense to Bullard & Associates. Lee is a graduate of Oklahoma State University
and the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
He is also a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association
and Oklahoma County Bar Association.
Outside of his service to clients, Lee acts as Chair of the Board of Directors
for Neighborhood Services Organization’s Palo Duro II.
Lee is a huge Oklahoma State fan and
has attended hundreds of football, basketball, and baseball games
over the years. He also enjoys attending concerts,
riding his bike, taking his dog, Mavis, on walks to the dog park,
as well as spending time with his wife and their two sons.
Tess Bullard Knapp
Tess is a partner at Bullard & Associates where her primary focus is workers’ compensation and insurance defense. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from East Central University
before obtaining her Juris Doctorate from the Oklahoma City
University School of Law. Tess prepares and provides instruction through employment, insurance, and professional courses.
She has served in various leadership roles as a member
of the Oklahoma Bar Association Workers’ Compensation
Section and is currently a Member-At-Large of the Board. She is a member of the Board for Lawyers Helping Lawyers through the Oklahoma Bar
Association. Outside the office, Tess enjoys recreational sports, traveling, and spending time with her husband Blain, and daughter Maggie.
R. Dale Kimsey
Dale has been with Bullard and Associates for nearly twenty years and
has more than three decades of experience in the defense of workers’ compensation claims. Dale is a graduate of Oklahoma
State University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law and is a
member of the Oklahoma Bar Associations' Workers’
Compensation section. Outside the office, Dale enjoys playing golf, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Angelica M. Ortiz
Angie is a partner at Bullard & Associates and brings more than a decade
of workers’ compensation experience to Bullard and Associates.
She is a graduate of Universitat de Valencia, Spain,
the University of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
Angie is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association,
SEC-Workers’ Compensation Section and Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity International. Outside the office, Angie is a volunteer pianist
and vocalist at her church and serves in her parish council.
She regularly volunteers as an interpreter for the free medical clinic.
She enjoys spending time with family,
taking road trips, and vacationing on a beach.
Jay L. Jones
Jay has over two decades of workers’ compensation defense
experience representing Oklahoma employers and Native American Tribes
in their workers’ compensation systems. Jay is a University of Oklahoma
and University of Oklahoma College of Law graduate. He has assisted
multiple Native American Tribes draft and revise
their workers’ compensation laws and is a member
of various tribal bar associations.
Jay is also an instructor of Workers’ Compensation Law at the
University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Outside of the office, Jay plays the trumpet professionally
and is a published author of history. Jay enjoys watching
his son’s college baseball games and spending time with his wife
and children exploring national parks.
Special Guest Speakers
Judge Shane Curtin
Judge T. Shane Curtin has been an Administrative Law Judge of the Workers' Compensation Commission since March 2014.
He was appointed as the Commission's
first Chief ALJ in May 2015. Before becoming an ALJ, Shane Curtin
spent 23 years in private practice specializing in workers’ compensation defense.
He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the
University of Oklahoma in 1991. Judge Curtin earned his undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1988.
Kyle McGivern, DO
Dr. McGivern was born and raised in Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a BS in Zoology Biomedical Science. He attended Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine for his
medical degree and completed his Internship and Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. Dr. McGivern
completed Fellowship training in Knee and Hip Replacement at Cleveland Clinic in Florida. Upon completion of his Fellowship,
Dr. McGivern returned to Oklahoma. He is a member of the
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,
the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, and the American Osteopathic Association.
Program Schedule
7:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Welcome and Introduction by Don Bullard
Tess Knapp
Topic: EDI and Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Protocols ranging from requirements
of Initial filing to the closure of the claim
Available Resources for the Adjuster at the Commission
Lee Endicott and Dale Kimsey
Law Changes and Case Law: 2019 Amendments and Case Law
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Lunch Break
(Networking Opportunity for Attendees)
Don Bullard
Topic: Wells, Whipple, and Mullendore.
Case Law and the Impact on Claim Handling, including intentional injury, beneficiaries in
a Death Claim, and Idiopathic injuries
Dr. Kyle McGivern
Topic: Medical and Technological Advances, Current trends in the treatment and surgery of
Workers’ Compensation injuries including the Impact of Robotics on recovery times, return to work, aftercare, and overall outcomes
Judge Shane Curtin
Topic: General Trends in Workers' Compensation, Best Practices for Presenting Evidence to The Commission Include the
use of Affidavits, Medical Experts, Police Reports, Etc.
Jay Jones
Topic: Indian Workers' Compensation Law, An Overview of the Current State of Workers' Compensation Law Affecting Tribes
and Jurisdiction at the Oklahoma Commission, and Key Differences and
Similarities between Indian and State Workers' Compensation Laws
Angelica Ortiz
Topic: Ethics in Workers' Compensation Law, Legally Required and
Practical Ethical Considerations in the Handling
of Workers’ Compensation Claims
4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks:
General Q&A session
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Welcome and Introduction by Don Bullard
Tess Knapp
Topic: EDI and Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Protocols ranging from requirements
of Initial filing to the closure of the claim
Available Resources for the Adjuster at the Commission
Lee Endicott and Dale Kimsey
Law Changes and Case Law: 2019 Amendments and Case Law
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Lunch Break
(Networking Opportunity for Attendees)
Don Bullard
Topic: Wells, Whipple, and Mullendore.
Case Law and the Impact on Claim Handling, including intentional injury, beneficiaries in
a Death Claim, and Idiopathic injuries
Dr. Kyle McGivern
Topic: Medical and Technological Advances, Current trends in the treatment and surgery of
Workers’ Compensation injuries including the Impact of Robotics on recovery times, return to work, aftercare, and overall outcomes
Judge Shane Curtin
Topic: General Trends in Workers' Compensation, Best Practices for Presenting Evidence to The Commission Include the
use of Affidavits, Medical Experts, Police Reports, Etc.
Jay Jones
Topic: Indian Workers' Compensation Law, An Overview of the Current State of Workers' Compensation Law Affecting Tribes
and Jurisdiction at the Oklahoma Commission, and Key Differences and
Similarities between Indian and State Workers' Compensation Laws
Angelica Ortiz
Topic: Ethics in Workers' Compensation Law, Legally Required and
Practical Ethical Considerations in the Handling
of Workers’ Compensation Claims
4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks:
General Q&A session
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding registration, location, or other information related to our 2024 Workers' Compensation and Insurance Defense Seminar. We look forward to assisting you and seeing you at the seminar!