2025 MWCEA Schedule of Events
The MWCEA Conference is more than just a gathering—it is the premier event for workers’ compensation professionals seeking to network, learn, and explore cutting-edge strategies. Regarded as a cornerstone in the industry, this three-day program delivers insights from some of the most reputable voices in workers’ compensation, offering attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, legal updates, and best practices.
This year, the conference features a compelling key- note from Travis Falstad, an AI and emerging technology strategist with over 25 years of experience driving innovation across industries. His session will explore AI’s evolving role in the workplace, examining its profound impact on jobs, industries, and how professionals must adapt to the accelerating wave of technological change. Whether managing claims, overseeing return-to- work programs, monitoring medical expenses, or simply aiming to stay ahead in the evolving workers’ compensation landscape, this conference provides unmatched educational value.
This year’s programming includes expert analysis of appellate rulings from Maryland’s newly named Appellate Court and Supreme Court, helping professionals understand the implications of recent cases. A mock hearing will showcase arguments around suitable gainful employment, with attorneys debating alternative job options for an injured worker and a Workers’ Compensation Commissioner weighing in on the decision.
Medical recovery and rehabilitation take center stage, with a session dedicated to guiding injured workers through prosthetic support and wound care, ensuring smoother transitions post-injury. For those handling Subsequent Injury Fund (SIF) claims, a panel of attorneys and SIF representatives will break down the intricacies of the process, including financial structures and strategic case approaches. Meanwhile, compliance challenges will be tackled in a session on employer procedures, clarifying issues surrounding exemptions, exclusions, and hearing notices to ensure businesses stay on track with regulations.
Beyond the educational sessions, the MWCEA Conference is home to Maryland’s largest workers’ compensation expo, where attendees can explore claims management software, cost containment solutions, medical and pharmaceutical advancements, return-to-work services, and risk management tools. This extensive exhibitor space allows professionals to compare innovations, seek solutions, and connect with industry experts, all under one roof.
The conference concludes with the much-anticipated Tuesday night Beach Bash, a lively, Jimmy Buffett-style celebration featuring live music, Buffett-inspired beachwear, and exciting prize giveaways. Attendees can unwind, reflect on new insights, and enjoy an unforgettable closing gala filled with coastal vibes and camaraderie.
With opportunities to gain industry knowledge, expand professional networks, and immerse in the latest developments in workers’ compensation, MWCEA 2025 is the must-attend event of the year. Register now at mwcea.net and be part of this essential gathering.
Sunday, September 14
2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Registration (Atrium Level)
2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Exhibitor Set-Up
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Opening Reception (Atlantic Ballroom)
Join colleagues for the kick-off networking reception for the MWCEA Conference!
Sponsored by: Franklin & Prokopik
Monday, September 15
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration (Atrium Level)
7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast (Lower Exhibits)
7:00 a.m. Exhibits Open
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Opening Remarks (Atlantic Ballroom)
President’s Welcome: Michael H. Daney, Esq. (Erlandson, Vernon & Daney, LLC)
WCC Chair’s Welcome: Hon. Maureen E. Quinn (Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission)
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Legislative Update
Insights from legislative members on proposed and passed Workers’ Compensation legislation.
Moderator: Ashlee K. Smith, Esq.
Panelists:
Senator Pamela Beidle (District 32, Anne Arundel County)
Senator Arthur Ellis (District 28, Charles County)
Delegate Andrea Fletcher Harrison (District 24, Prince George's County)
Charles S. Schultz, Esq. (Berman Sobin Gross LLP)
Michael L. Dailey, Esq. (Schmidt, Dailey & O'Neill, LLC)
9:30 a.m. Kids’ Chance of Maryland Update
Edgar G. Dodd, III, President, Kids' Chance of Maryland
9:40 – 10:25 a.m. Keynote Address
Speaker: Travis Falstad (AI Innovation Leader, Emerging Tech Strategist)
A look at AI’s evolving role in transforming workplaces and industries.
10:25 – 10:45 a.m. Exhibitor Break
10:45 – 11:30 a.m. Flesh and Bone – Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Join us for a medical
update on the diagnosis and treatment of complex regional pain syndrome.
Moderator: Eric J. Buchner, MD (Sinai Hospital of Baltimore)
Panelists:
Angelina C. Chilcoat, OTR/L, CHT, AIPCC
Brian A. Janz, MD (The Centers for Advanced Orthopedics)
Commissioner: Hon. Kathleen A. Evans
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Son of a Son of a Union Sailor: The Interaction between Workers' Compensation and Other, Separate Employment Benefits For certain private sector and many public sector employees, the employer and worker may have entered into an individual employment agreement, be covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement, or receive a distinct benefit under Maryland law. When these situations arise, injured workers must understand their available options to proceed appropriately and in their best interest.
Moderator: Brian D. Katzenberg, Esq., Stavisky, Yoffe & Castro, P.A.
Christine N. Peterson, Esq., Baltimore City Department of Law
Jeffrey S. Stavisky, Esq., Stavisky, Yoffe & Castro, P.A.
Commissioner: Hon. James K. MacAlister
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. One Particular Harbor – CompHub Questions and Answers (Industry-Only Breakout) This 45-minute breakout session will provide an overview of CompHub, covering everything from signing up as a Practitioner and uploading CEUs for registration renewal to utilizing its day-to-day features for records and filings.
Moderator: Matthew Drzik, MS, CWPE, REHAB AT WORK
Panel: Theresa A. Cornish, COO, MD Workers' Compensation Commission
Cindy Cauthorne, DOA, MD Workers' Compensation Commission
Dorothy M. Thompson, DOO, MD Workers' Compensation Commission
12:15 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch and Learn: SIF Demystified / Employer Compliance: A Tale of Two Citings SIF
Panel: A case involving the Subsequent Injury Fund can seem complex and confusing—but it doesn’t
have to be. This session provides a clear breakdown of how to handle SIF cases, featuring insights
from attorneys representing Claimants, Employers, and the SIF itself. Additionally, the SIF will
offer an overview of its payment schemes. (~40 mins)
Employer Compliance: This session will focus on the key distinctions between LE 9-402 and LE
9-1005, the difference between exemption and exclusion, and the nuances between Show-Cause Orders
issued for Employer Compliance versus Hearing Notices related to claims. It will also cover Certificates of
Compliance vs. Exclusion Forms. (~40 mins) Moderator: Anthony F. Perrotta, Esq. – MD Subsequent
Injury Fund Panel: Edward Goldsmith, Esq. – MD Subsequent Injury Fund
James A. Lanier, Esq. – Warnken, LLC
David M. Schoenfeld, Esq. – Kiernan Trebach LLP
Stacey L. Roig, – MD Workers' Compensation Commission
H. Scott Curtis, Esq. – MD Workers' Compensation Commission
Commissioner: Hon. Stephane P. Romano
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Kids’ Chance of Maryland Cornhole Event
8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Bonfire on the Beach
Join your colleagues on the beach for networking, a cozy fire, and lots of fun!
SPONSORED BY: CHASENBOSCOLO
Tuesday, September 16
7:00 a.m. - noon REGISTRATION (Atrium Level)
7:00 - 9:00 a.m. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Lower Exhibits)
7:00 a.m. EXHIBITS OPEN
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. A Permanent Reminder of a Temporary Feeling: Prosthetic and Wound Care after a Work Injury Navigating the Waves of Recovery: From the first injury to the final resolution, we guide injured workers through the tides of workers’ compensation claims, ensuring smooth sailing in wound care and prosthetic support. Whether it’s adjusting to new shores or overcoming rough waters, we handle the complexities of prosthetics with expertise and care.
Moderator: Erin Cornett, Excelsia Injury Care
Panel: James J. Temple III, Esq., Franklin & Prokopik, P.C.
Theodore M. Ehudin, Esq., White Marsh Law LLC
Tracy Williams, MS, BSN, RN, WCCM G2918, WCP®, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company
Atiq Ur Rahman, M.D., MedStar Harbor Hospital and Ascension Saint Agnes
Commissioner: Hon. Delia T. Schadt
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. Offsetville: Welcome to Offsetville, where the sand is warm, the statutes are evolving, and the math matters. This panel dives into the intricacies of retirement offsets under LE §§ 9-503 & 9-610 and SPP § 29-118. Our panelists will guide you through when offsets apply, how to calculate them, and the latest legislative changes. Whether you're navigating smooth waters or choppy claims, we've got your map. (No Flip-Flops Required)
Moderator: Fatima Garland, Esq., Office of the Montgomery County Attorney
Panel: Anthonia St. John, JD, RN, Prince Georges County, Maryland
Wendy Karpel, JD., Office of the Montgomery County Attorney
Blaine Kolker, Esq., MaxLawLegal
Anthonia St. John, Esq., Prince George’s County Office of Law
Commissioner: Hon. James R. Forrester
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. EXHIBITOR BREAK
10:45 - 11:30 a.m. Searchin’ for My Lost Compensation: Our panel will explore what is suitable gainful employment. By way of a mock hearing, the Vocational Rehabilitation Expert will present alternative employment options being considered by a sample injured worker. Hear the arguments from experienced attorneys for and against these alternative options, and the decision reached by our panel’s WCC Commissioner.
Moderator: Shelby Dubato, LCSW-C, CCM, CDMS, CLCP, CRC (Moderator and Vocational Expert Witness)
Panel: Matthew D. Trollinger, Esq. – Trollinger Law, LLC
Nancy Courson Cooke, Esq. – The Law Offices of Dirska & Levin, LLC
Commissioner: Hon. Allan H. Kittleman
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Only Time Will Tell: Recent Case Law Updates and Their Impact An in-depth look at workers' compensation decisions from the newly named Appellate Court of Maryland and Supreme Court of Maryland, featuring expert commentary on appellate cases heard since October 2024. Explore key rulings and their implications for future claims and legal interpretations.
Moderator: Lyndsey B. Meninger, Esq., MBA, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company/Injured Workers Insurance Fund
Panel: Matthew Engler, Esq. Berman, Sobin, and Gross, LLP
Lauren Waltrop, Esq., Humphreys, McLaughlin & McAleer, LLC
Commissioner: Hon. Tracey Parker-Warren
12:15 PM- Break /Get Box Lunch
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Fins to the Left, Claims to the Right: Death Benefits Demystified When the music stops, the claims begin. This session cuts through the fog of Workers' Compensation death benefits—how to file, who gets paid, how much, which statute applies, and more. Whether you're new to the topic or need a refresher, come ready to demystify the process!
Moderator: Matthew D. Gordon, Esq., Law Offices of Mitch Gordon
Panel: Rachel W. Samakow, Esq.—Chesapeake Employers' Insurance Company
Kenrick F. Roberts, Esq.—Berman, Sobin, Gross, LLP
Commissioner: Hon. Asha Joseph Jefferson
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Kids’ Chance One Mile Fun Run/Walk (Beach side/Hotel)
8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. MWCEA Closing Fins Up Party!: (Atlantic Ballroom)
SPONSORED BY: Dr. Jeffrey D. Gaber & Associates, P.A.
Wednesday, September 178:30 a.m. BREAKFAST WITH THE COMMISSIONERS:
SPONSORED BY: RESCUE MEDS
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. ALFRED M. PORTH MEMORIAL AWARD
9:15 - 9:45 a.m. MD Workers' Compensation Commission Report
Hon. Maureen E. Quinn, Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission
9:45- 10:00 a.m. GRAND PRIZE DRAWING
You must be present to win! Limit one prize per attendee!
Presenter: Andrea J. Ball, Executive Director, MWCEA