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Return to Work Challenges in Workers’ Comp: Employer Considerations; Effective RTW Programs

A live 90-minute CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A

This program is included with the Strafford CLE Pass. Click for more information.
This program is included with the Strafford All-Access Pass. Click for more information.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

1:00pm-2:30pm EDT, 10:00am-11:30am PDT

or call 1-800-926-7926

This CLE webinar will discuss employer challenges when managing an injured employee's leave and return to work (RTW) and best practices for counsel to help clients navigate the process. The panel will discuss the importance of having an RTW program in place, key components of an RTW program, and best practices for helping employers to remain compliant throughout the employee's leave and the process of getting them back to their job.

Description

Managing an employee's return to work after a workers' comp injury that requires leave is challenging for employers. Even if the employee is allowed to return to work, job modifications may be required. Therefore, it is imperative for employers' counsel to understand the common issues their clients face and how to deal with these issues, including ensuring that an effective RTW program is in place.

The RTW program should include clear guidance on returning to work in compliance with state workers' compensation laws. Therefore, counsel and clients should understand state-specific requirements and any other federal and state leave laws that may impact the program. Key components of an RTW program include policies that outline program eligibility and steps for reporting injuries, describe the roles of parties to the RTW process and their obligations, and establish a process for evaluating employee recovery and the possibility of transitional work assignments or job accommodations upon their return.

Listen as our expert panel provides a comprehensive overview of employer obligations and considerations for when employees who have suffered a workers' comp injury are ready to return to work. The panel will describe the importance of having an RTW program in place and provide key considerations for program development.

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Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. Employer responsibilities and challenges
    1. Establishing an RTW program
      1. Purpose
      2. Parties to the program and their obligations
      3. Employee eligibility
      4. Insurance and provider coordination for injury management and assessment
      5. Communication with injured employee
      6. Job accommodations and/or transitional work assignments
      7. Documentation
      8. Exit criteria
      9. Employee training
    2. Interaction with other leave laws: FMLA, ADA, state law
  3. Practitioner takeaways

Benefits

The panel will review these and other important considerations:

  • What challenges are faced by employers when an employee who sustains a workplace injury is put on leave and then is ready to return to work?
  • What are the key components of a compliant and effective RTW program?
  • How may other federal and state leave laws impact the development of an RTW program?

Faculty

Albritton, Barret
Barret S. Albritton

Partner
Chartwell Law

Mr. Albritton brings over 20 years of experience representing and defending businesses, large self-insured...  |  Read More

Atkinson, Brittany
Brittany Atkinson

Partner
Chartwell Law LLP

Ms. Atkinson practices workers’ compensation litigation defense, representing insurance carriers, large...  |  Read More

Devine, Adam
Adam T. Devine

Partner
Chartwell Law LLP

Mr. Devine defends self-insured employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators. He leverages his...  |  Read More

Pidani, Courtney
Courtney Pidani

Attorney
Chartwell Law LLP

Ms. Pidani represents insurers, self-insured entities, and third-party administrators in all stages of workers’...  |  Read More

Attend on July 15

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You may pre-order a recording to listen at your convenience. Recordings are available 48 hours after the webinar. Strafford will process CLE credit for one person on each recording. All formats include course handouts.

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