WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025

AI – Harnessing the Power of Emerging Trends

This session will explore the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a business setting, including theft prevention, employee management, surveillance, and handling personal injury claims. Examples of popular AI technology will be shown, such as Generative AI for camera technology, Samsera Technology, and GP4. The risks of using AI will also be discussed, including ethical issues, privacy concerns, and general safety/risks with using this technology.

Facilitators

• Maryalyce Cox, MehaffyWeber (Houston, TX)
• Hailey M. Hopper, Pierce Couch Hendrickson Baysinger & Green, L.L.P. (Oklahoma City, OK)

Love It Or Hate It – New Technology is Entering the Retail Space

Following up on the AI discussion, other new technology will be addressed that has recently started appearing across the country to manage risk, workplace efficiency, compliance, and litigation. Technology for records collection, cell phone data retrieval, social media tracking, and building automation have all evolved tremendously in the past few years. Are these new technological developments ultimately more helpful or harmful to claims management? How are plaintiffs utilizing new technology information against business defendants?

Facilitators

• Jacqueline Bushwack, Rivkin Radler LLP (Uniondale, NY)
• Nicholas P. Resetar, Roetzel & Andress (Cleveland, OH)
• Shannon Petroni, Marshall Investigative Group, Inc. (Nashville, TN)
• Margot N. Wilensky, Connell Foley LLP (Newark, NJ)

The Numbers Don’t Lie – Trending Litigation and Verdict Statistics

A recent study reflects that from 2013 to 2023, there were 1,288 verdicts in excess of $10 million across the country. Of those verdicts, 9 of every 10 were tried in state court. Only 140 of these verdicts were tried in Federal court. Is this the trend others have experienced? What can we do to posture claims for removal to Federal court? This study also revealed that 75% of the cases reported did not include punitive damages.  How can we improve upon investigation and discovery to combat subjective damages, such as pain and suffering, being claimed at trial to avoid a runaway verdict?

Facilitators

• Tamara B. Goorevitz, Franklin & Prokopik, P.C. (Baltimore, MD)
• Constantine G. Nickas, Wicker Smith (Coral Gables, FL)
• Kristin A. VanOrman, Strong & Hanni, PC (Salt Lake City, UT)

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025

Medicare – Where Are We Headed?

This 30-minute session will provide a succinct overview of the recent changes in Medicare compliance and how they affect settlement.

Facilitators

• Thomas S. Thornton, III, Carr Allison (Birmingham, AL)
• Michael J. Chmielewski, ACE Hardware Corporation

The Science Behind Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (“TBIs”) are on the rise across the country in all types of claims. Gone are the days of hearing this term only in large loss claims. They are making their way into smaller claims and driving up medical damages in cases that may have been easy to settle before. This discussion will break down the science of TBIs into layman’s terms and will show examples of when they start to appear in medical records, which physicians are best trained to address them, and how to combat them in litigation.

Facilitators

• Bryan N. Price, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC (Charleston, WV)
• Christina Marinakis, Immersion Legal (Los Angeles, CA)
• Alison H. Sausaman, Carr Allison (Jacksonville, FL)
• Dawn R. Freyder, S-E-A, Limited (Tampa, FL)

Putting the Company’s Best Foot Forward in Deposition and Trial

Arguably, the most important defense liability witness is the “person most knowledgeable,” more formally known as the 30(b)(6) witness testimony across the country to use against defendants and identify inconsistencies. Is one individual 30(b)(6) witness for all claims ideal for streamlining information dissemination?

Facilitators

• Frank Gattuso, Sweeney & Sheehan, P.C. (Philadelphia, PA)
• Michael J. Judy, Dysart Taylor (Kansas City, MO)
• Kaylen Kadotani, Hanson Bridgett LLP (San Francisco, CA)

The Great Migration from the Defense to Plaintiff’s Bar and the Impact on Defending Claims

Increasingly, the timeline for receiving a letter of representation from a claimant’s attorney and the time for litigation filing has shortened despite statutes of limitations providing for longer. Similarly, there has been a rapid increase in policy limit demands, with very little information provided to properly evaluate such a demand. How can businesses adequately adjust claims when plaintiff firms have not been responsive to requests for information? This session will also touch on managing different levels of insurance and reporting requirements. Is notice required to protect the company even when a vague demand or letter of representation is sent? How are these claims handled when a claimant is not represented?

Facilitators

• James M. Girman, Pion, Nerone, Girman & Smith, P.C. (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Ryan C. Holt, Sweeny Wingate & Barrow, P.A. (Columbia, SC)
• Eddy Silverman, Williams Kastner (Seattle, WA)