The workers’ compensation industry is currently navigating significant challenges, notably the shifting workforce dynamics due to the “grey tsunami” and “great resignation.” The core issue lies in the need for professionals who not only fill positions but also deeply understand the interconnected roles of all parties involved in the system and claim advocacy. The traditional view of workers’ compensation as a cost-centric and monotonous field is deterring the new generation of workers who seek meaningful and impactful careers. To address this, there is a call to shift towards a worker recovery model that emphasizes holistic care, focusing on restoring the injured worker’s health, job function, and overall well-being. This approach not only aligns with the values of the emerging workforce but also promises better financial and clinical outcomes for both employers and employees.

This presentation explores ways for claims adjusters, and those partnering with attorneys, to investigate auto and commercial motor vehicle accidents. The presentation addresses how early and quick investigation can assist with thorough liability evaluation, which will generate effective, efficient, and creative resolutions to prevent extensive litigation resulting in exposure.

There is a misconception that leads many to believe that incidents are unexpected or unplanned events in the workplace. That many not always be the case. Some incidents result from hazardous conditions and unsafe behaviors that have been ignored or tolerated for weeks, months or even years. The failure of people, equipment, supplies, or surroundings to behave or react as expected causes most incidents. Eliminating or reducing workplace accidents saves money, reduces absenteeism and in many cases increases productivity and employee morale. In many cases, it is not a matter of “if” the incident is going to happen, it is only a matter of “when”.

The breadth of modern investigations has grown rapidly over the past decade. Traditional social media and background checks, one-crew surveillance, and interviews are no longer the only tools at a professional’s disposal. More information than ever before is available to the end-users of intelligence, and yet traditional investigative patterns have persisted. This has wasted client money, led to unimaginative investigations with unimpactful results, and fostered a divide between what clients need and what investigators deliver. Understand how the private intelligence community has evolved via an examination of geospatial and geosocial investigations, patterns of life analysis, multi-crew and unmanned surveillance operations, and how to leverage these capabilities to maximum effect. Many investigative solutions that are considered “advanced” are far more accessible and affordable than many believe. This session will provide clarity to professionals and improve their understanding of a variety of modern techniques for uncovering and leveraging information. Specifically, the session seeks to educate the attendees on the four main disciplines of private intelligence gathering: Open Source Intelligence, Geospatial Intelligence, Signals Intelligence, and Human Intelligence. By utilizing a more diverse set of tools, the end-user of intelligence enables themselves and their organization to deliver a compelling defense against high-value litigation and threats. Learning Objectives • Understand the significance of the four disciplines of private intelligence and the differences between them. • Understand Pattern of Life Analysis (POLA): Learn how to study routine behaviors to identify predictable movement patterns and detect significant anomalies. • Master Predictive Recovery: Discover how to use a “Behavioral Baseline” to make calculated recovery attempts when visual contact is lost during surveillance. • Leverage Multi-Source Intelligence: Combine OSINT, geo-tagged content, and historical data to create a structured investigative plan before the first investigator ever leaves the office. • Learn the basic principles of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) as well as the three pillars of OSINT: Identity Resolution, Geographic Resolution, and Chronologic Resolution. • Understand what Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) is and how to utilize it to uncover photos, videos, posts, and witnesses tied to a specific time and location. • Understand what Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is and how it commonly manifests in the private sector. Specifically, cellular forensics, cell site analysis, vehicle tracking, and wireless network identification are examined. • Understand what Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is and how both manned and unmanned surveillance operations function. • Learn the most common mistakes made during surveillance operations from a tactical standpoint and how modern technology and proper techniques reduce this risk dramatically. • Discover the rationale behind utilizing more than one investigator on a surveillance case, the statistics supporting such cases, and an in-depth look at common mistakes and limitations of “one-crew” surveillance so you can avoid these situations. • What is needed to unmask the identity of anonymized individuals online who may be making threats towards you or your organization and common-sense steps to anonymize yourself online to avoid these potential threats.

This session will delve into the complexities of property claims and provide advanced insights to navigate them effectively.

Employee health is one of the strongest drivers of engagement, productivity, and retention — yet most workforce health strategies still focus on engagement and utilization rather than resolution. Nowhere is this more evident than in musculoskeletal (MSK) care, where employees often navigate a fragmented system of digital tools, providers, and specialists without a coordinated plan or clear outcome. The result is persistent pain, repeated care, rising claims, and increased workforce disruption. This session reframes workforce health through a new lens: resolution. Attendees will explore how unresolved pain — not lack of engagement — drives absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, and claims variability. Using national data, clinical insights, and real-world employer examples, this session demonstrates how early, clinically guided MSK intervention can reduce downstream risk, shorten recovery time, and improve employee experience. Participants will also learn how leading organizations are shifting from fragmented, activity-based programs to integrated, outcome-driven models that align benefits, safety, and workforce strategy — delivering measurable improvements in both employee well-being and total cost of care. This is a practical, educational session focused on outcomes, workforce performance, and sustainable risk and cost reduction — not a product presentation.

Public entities are often not aware of the changing landscape on federal workplace drug testing regulations. This gap in awareness leaves organizations vulnerable to claims, road violations and federal penalties. This session dives deep into the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Clearinghouse and how it benefits employers to utilize the platform and protect their roadways.

This course provides a comprehensive framework for establishing, maintaining, and continually improving an effective workplace safety and health program. Built around The Six Pillars of Safety Excellence: worker participation, hazard identification, hazard prevention, education and program evaluation, the class equips participants with the actionable strategies needed to transform organizational safety culture from reactive to proactive.

Presented by DHR Health

“Texas 811 – What You Don’t Know Can Kill You” is a powerful safety presentation focused on the life-saving importance of the Texas 811 damage prevention system. Participants will learn how underground utility strikes occur, the legal responsibilities of excavators under Texas law, and the critical steps required before digging. Through real-world examples, incident analysis, and practical field guidance, this session highlights the hidden dangers beneath our feet and explains how a simple call or online ticket to Texas 811 can prevent catastrophic injuries, fatalities, service outages, and costly damage. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of safe excavation practices, the locate process, and how to protect workers, communities, and infrastructure.

Every HR move—from the first interview to the final exit—is a high-stakes risk event for your city. This session moves past basic compliance to show Texas municipal leaders how to bridge the gap between HR and Risk Management to shield their budgets and reduce liability. We’ll dig into the real cost of risk, showing how simple documentation gaps can lead to $100k+ hits to insurance premiums. You’ll walk away with a “COI Masterclass” checklist to audit vendor insurance like a pro, plus a roadmap for shifting from a “culture of fear” to a “culture of safety” that actually lowers workers’ comp costs and boosts morale. It’s time to stop treating HR and Risk like silos—come learn the practical strategies leading cities use to turn HR into a strategic powerhouse.