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A “Comp Conversation” with Michael BrennanJoin us for a conversation with Chairman Michael Brennan of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.Chairman Brennan discusses the past, present, and future of Illinois Workers' Compensation with Toney Tomaso of Heyl Royster and Jennifer White of Peterson White.  Their conversation took place at the DRI Annual Meeting which took place in Chicago in October 2025.  Michael J. Brennan is the Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC). He was first appointed in 2019 and reappointed in 2023, and his tenure has included creating a paperless filing system and implementing virtual hearings. The IWCC is responsible for resolving claims, ensuring legal compliance, and administering self-insurance for the state.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Functional Capacity Exams with Rob PearseIn this episode of Comp Conversations, Shane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl and Jennifer White of Peterson White sit down with Rob Pearse, a clinical exercise physiologist, to demystify what makes a good FCE — and how defense attorneys can use them effectively in workers’ compensation cases. From spotting red flags to interpreting effort validity this discussion offers practical insights for lawyers, adjusters, and anyone navigating the intersection of medicine and litigation.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Meade HeartfieldJoin Bethany and Ericka for a special interview with DRI WITL's current chair Meade Heartfield. Meade talks about her super inspirational passion project Inflammingo, committee news, her latest hot take, and her hopes for the committee after she steps down as chair (sad face!)Be sure to follow Meade on instagram (@meademark) and Inflammingo (@inflammingo).For more information about our WITL group, please visit our instagram page at @DRIWITL. If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please reach out to Bethany or Ericka on instagram or via email.Bethany - bwhite@evans-dixon.comEricka - ericka.esposito@sigsauer.comWe would love for you to share this podcast with your friends, subscribe to our channel, and give us a rating and review. Thanks friends! Stay tuned.To learn more about DRI and the Women in the Law Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

IntroductionWelcome to Say Hello to my WITL Friends - the official podcast for the DRI Women in the Law "WITL" Committee. DRI is the largest association for civil defense attorneys and in-house counsel nationwide. WITL is one of the affinity groups within the larger organization made up of women from across the US and Canada. We are so excited to feature many of the awesome and aspiring women in our group on this podcast.DRI WITL 2024-2025 podcast chairs Bethany White (@bathwhite) and Ericka Esposito (@ee1045) will bring you real and raw interviews, hot takes, the latest committee news, and of course ice breakers. For more information about our WITL group, please visit our instagram page at @DRIWITL. If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please reach out to Bethany or Ericka on Instagram or via email.Bethany - bwhite@evans-dixon.comEricka - ericka.esposito@sigsauer.comWe would love for you to share this podcast with your friends, subscribe to our channel, and give us a rating and review. Than

What Defense Attorneys Need to Know about CRPS with Dr. Jeffrey SummersIn this podcast, we hear a conversation from our live event with Dr. Jeffrey Summers, a pain management physician, regarding complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Dr. Summers discusses the making the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome under the AMA Guides and the Budapest criteria and the differences in those methods. He discusses his thoughts on how some physicians have over-diagnosed the condition and gives some useful ideas in how to verify or rule out the diagnosis.  Listen as Jennifer White, Shane Dawson, and Steve Armstrong interview Dr. Summers with questions posed to him by our live audience.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Mandatory MSA Reporting with Jim AndersonShane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Jennifer White of Peterson White, LLP interview Jim Anderson, a Partner with Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC. In this episode we chat about the key changes CMS implemented in April 2025 regarding mandatory Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) reporting.   Jim shares tips for workers' compensation defense practitioners to proactively prepare for mediations and settlements to assist their clients through the pitfalls and hurdles in protecting CMS's interests.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Do's and Don'ts with Cambi McLain-JohnsShane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Jennifer White of Peterson White, LLP interview Cambi McLain-Johns, a regional WC Complex Claims Manager with Erie Insurance Exchange.  In this episode we chat about the Law Firm Do's and Don'ts of interreacting with carriers and insureds. We also discuss the importance of communication and mentorship as well as expound how law firms are able to grow their client base and foster loyalty with a few simple tips.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Realities of Workplace Violence with Andria Lure RyanSteve Armstrong of Armstrong and Peake PLLC and Jennifer White of Peterson White LLP interview Attorney Andria Lure Ryan of Fisher & Phillips regarding hospitality worker fatalities caused by workplace violence. Andria discusses the realities of workplace violence in the hospitality industry where employees are exposed to danger in areas such as bars, hotels, resorts, and other places.   Andria also provides practical methods of preventing workplace fatalities for all employers including the hospitality industry.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Legal Bill Review with Tanya CrosseShane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Jennifer White of Peterson White, LLP interview Tanya Crosse, Director of Legal Spend Management at Epiq Legal Solutions.  In this episode we chat about "managed invoice review" otherwise known as "legal bill review", a topic in which most civil defense attorneys are highly invested.  Tanya shares tips for practitioners to make the process less stressful as well as some interesting war stories detailing when defense firms fail to follow outside counsel guidelines.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Mastering Dual Defense: Navigating Workers' Compensation Claims and OSHA Compliance with Melissa BaileyJennifer White of Peterson White LLP and Steve Armstrong of Armstrong Peake PLLC interview attorney Melissa Bailey of Ogletree Deakins regarding her knowledge and expertise of OSHA defense litigation. In this episode, Melissa covers how an employer can be impacted if they admit liability in OSHA claims. She covers the Unpreventable Employee Misconduct (UEM) defense and the role of supervisors in OSHA defense. An employer's ability to do business can be affected if they admit to liability.  Also covered is how some states add on a multiplier penalty in the workers’ compensation claim if there is a safety violation. Listen as well for some of her thoughts on how an employer in a workers' compensation claim should answer discovery and how that may impact the OSHA defense at a later date. She also gave us the Gem Industrial Inc. case that has a good description of general UEM elements and the Angel Brothers Ente

Investigative Techniques and Best Practices Defending Claims with Jim AndersonShane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Jennifer White of Peterson White, LLP interview Jim Anderson, of Infoquest/Command. In this episode, Jim discusses the different types of investigative tools, tips and tricks for obtaining the best results and other concerns employers and carriers have with regard to the defense of claim through investigative techniques.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Walking the Line: Discovering and Admitting Social Media Evidence with your Ethics Intact panel discussion on Ethics in Social Media Discovery at 2024 DRI Annual MeetingThink you know all there is to know about using gathering, using and admitting social media evidence in your case? Are you staying within ethical bounds in your practice? Listen and find out! Join Shane Dawson and Steve Armstrong for round table discussion with Marcus Pierre, Associate Attorney at Christovich & Kearney, LLP,  Amber Barlow Garcia, Partner at Deutsch Kerrigan, L.L.P., and Michael Petri, Founder of Webutation, Inc. as we hear from them on how to investigate claims effectively on social media while avoiding ethical pitfalls.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Trends in Workers' Compensation Fraud with Joe DePoloShane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Jennifer White of Peterson White, LLP interview Joe DePolo, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge overseeing a team of investigators and analysts in Southeastern Ohio.  Currently fraud accounts for millions of dollars in losses in Ohio and billions of dollars lost across the United States.  Mr. DePolo discusses the trends in different types of workers’ compensation fraud, as well as some the tools and technology used to help detect and stop fraud.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Negatives of Marijuana with Dr. Jeffrey HazelwoodShane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Jennifer White of Peterson White, LLP interview Dr. Jeffrey Hazelwood, a pain management physician, on the topic of the possible negatives of prescribing medical marijuana for pain management in workers' compensation claims.  Dr. Hazelwood discusses recent studies, addiction statistics, the effects of polypharmacy and the expected real life outcomes of continued use of medical marijuana in his field. Dr. Jeffrey Hazelwood is a pain management physician who has offices in Tennessee.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

ERISA Liens in Workers' Compensation Claims with John KolbIn this episode, Shane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Steve Armstrong of Armstrong & Peake PLLC interview attorney John D. Kolb regarding ERISA liens in workers' compensation claims. John focuses on obtaining recoveries for his clients in ERISA matters, not just in workers' compensation claims, but in other fields as well.To learn more about DRI and the Workers' Compensation Committee visit www.DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Hard Truths About Soft Skills and Challenging People with Tommie Jo BrodeIn this episode, Shane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP and Steve Armstrong of Armstrong Peake PLLC interview Tommie Jo Brode of Venice Solutions Group regarding soft skills and how to deal with challenging people in challenging situations.Tommie is an attorney and consultant who focuses on workplace communication often between management and employees. Good communication can reduce litigation and costs for employers, both in the workers' compensation context and in the employment law context. Tommie graduated from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, and she works with clients regionally.  Tommie represents clients regionally from offices in Ohio and Florida.  She has defended employers in workers' compensation claims, along with EEOC, ADA, FMLA and other claims. She has also managed workers' compensation programs as well.  You can find Tommie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommie-jo-brode-469b1194/.To learn more a

Medical Marijuana for Patients Injured at Work with Dr. Scott RosenthalIn this episode, Shane Dawson of Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP, and Steve Armstrong of Armstrong and Peake PLLC interview Dr. Scott Rosenthal, a pain management physician, on the topic of medical marijuana for patients who are injured at work.Dr. Scott Rosenthal is a pain management physician who has offices in Philadelphia, along with other offices in Pennsylvania. Dr. Rosenthal finds medical marijuana appropriate for some of his patients who are injured at work, including patients with neuropathic pain. He is board certified in anesthesiology with a certification in pain management and he obtained his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship and pain management at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was recently part of a team involved in the study of medical marijuana at Temple University.To learn more about DRI and the Wo

The Air Ambulance Controversy with Steve TiptonThis week, Ryan Hathcock of Chartwell Law and Steve Armstrong of Armstrong and Peake PLLC are joined by Steve Tipton of Flahive, Ogden & Latson to discuss the air ambulance billing controversy, and how the Airline Deregulation Act from the 1970s affects workers' compensation billing for air ambulance providers.   Steve Tipton has been defending employers and insurers for many years on these claims.  This is a rare situation where employers’ and plaintiffs’ interests may align.He discusses the arc of these claims with recent Federal litigation. Air ambulance providers argue that workers' compensation fee schedules do not apply and that they can charge their market rates. Employers and insurers argue that workers' compensation laws should apply and that they should be able to charge their reasonable and customary rate, and that air ambulance fees should be reigned in. You can find Steve Tipton here on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-tipton-65a85416/

Incoming Chair, Matt Berard of Bowman and Brooke LLP in Detroit, Michigan, talks with incoming Vice-Chair, Stephanie Short of Great American Insurance Company in Washington State, about the upcoming year for the DRI Aviation Law Committee.To learn more about DRI and the Aviation Law Committee visit DRI.org.#DRILawyer#DRICommunity

Injury to Insight: The Future of AI In Workers Compensation with Michael MilsteinThis week, Ryan Hathcock of Chartwell Law, www.chartwelllaw.com, and Steve Armstrong of Armstrong and Peake PLLC, www.armstrongpeake.com, are joined by Michael Milstein of Downey & Lenkov to discuss the growth of Artificial Intelligence in the handling of workers’ compensation claims. Michael takes a dive into the use of AI by insurers and claims professionals and how the data obtained through AI can assist attorneys in better predicting the outcome of claims including the claim value and potential fraud. Michael discusses the uses and the state of AI in workers’ compensation currently, with an eye toward the future of AI for insurers and attorneys. There are also serious risks that must be considered when personal information is involved in data collection and when attorneys choose to rely on AI without checking for its accuracy. You can find Michael on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-milstein-741a9a58/ at hi