WIWC Forum

2026 WIWC Forum Session Agenda
In the agenda below, click the speaker’s name to read their bio. As we get closer to the forum, many sessions will have a posted presentation in PDF format designed for note taking. Clicking any link on this page will open the attachment in a new browser tab.

Wednesday, October 7^th
11:30am – 12:30pm	Registration – Vendor Display Area Open Coffee & Beverages Served
12:30pm – 12:45pm	Welcome Address & General Announcements Carrie Zarate, Stubbe Case Management - WIWC Forum President Bio coming soon Anne Loehr, Paradigm - Moderator Bio coming soon
12:45pm – 1:45pm	Mastering the Multiplier: Understanding Your Experience Mod and How to Lower Workers’ Compensation Costs Your experience modification factor can have a significant impact on your workers’ compensation premiums but many employers don’t fully understand how it’s calculated or how their day-to-day decisions affect it. This session breaks down the experience mod in practical terms, explains the factors the influence your premiums, and highlights proven strategies to help control workers’ compensation costs. Attendees will also learn about common pitfalls that can unnecessarily increase premiums and leave with actionable tip to improve their organization’s bottom line. Kate Musser, R&R Insurance Services, Inc. Bio coming soon Brad Stehno, R&R Insurance Services, Inc. Bio coming soon Luke Schulz, Schmitz Redi-Mix Bio coming soon
1:45pm – 2:00pm	Afternoon Break – Vendor Display Area Open
2:00pm – 3:00pm	What’s New in Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation? A Legal Update Attorney Larson will provide an update on recent changes to the Worker’s Compensation Act. She will also provide a review of recent Labor and Industry Review and appellate cases of importance. Attorney Susan Larson, Arthur Chapman Bio coming soon
3:00pm – 4:00pm	Causation Beyond the Medical Record: The Information That Drives Better Decisions Learn how each stakeholder can contribute critical information in analyzing causation issues. Discussion will include straightforward and complex causation decisions and how better information gathering can lead to stronger and more defensible claim outcomes. Bill Luebke, AF Group Bio coming soon Michael Borkowski, MD Bio coming soon Steven Koshere, Harley Davidson Bio coming soon
4:00pm – 4:30pm	Door Prize Giveaway (must be present to win)
4:30pm – 6:00pm	Industry Networking Social Hour Complimentary Hors d’ oeuvres and beverages provided. Our industry’s best opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Thursday, October 8^th
7:00am – 8:00am	Registration and Vendor Area Open
8:00am – 8:15am	Welcome Address & General Announcements Carrie Zarate, Stubbe Case Management - WIWC Forum President Bio coming soon Amy Oelke, CompIQ - AM Moderator Bio coming soon Scott Law, Athletico - PM Moderator Bio coming soon
8:15am – 9:15am	Neurotrauma 2026: The Advancement of Neurosciences Through World-Class Clinical Care and Groundbreaking Research and Innovative Education Dr. McCrea will discuss advances in point-of-care blood biomarker testing and a new framework for classifying Traumatic Brain Injury. Learn how this development may transform care for the injured worker. As the founder of Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS), Dr. Kurpad will contribute neurosurgical perspectives and clinical insights. Michael McCrea, PhD, ABPP, Medical College of Wisconsin Bio coming soon Shekar Kurpad, MD, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin Bio coming soon
9:15am – 10:15am	You Be the Judge: Idiopathic Injury Edition In this interactive presentation, Attorney Cafaro will evaluate real-world idiopathic injury scenarios and engage the audience to decide whether the claims are compensable by exploring the legal principles, key facts, and practical considerations that shape these challenging coverage decisions. Attorney Rollie Cafaro, Cafaro Law Office SC Bio coming soon
10:15am – 10:45am	Break – Vendor Display Area Open
10:45am – 11:45am	CRPS: Practical Considerations for Diagnosis and Management in the Injured Worker Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) presents unique challenges in workers’ compensation cases. This session will review current diagnostic criteria, common clinical presentations, evidence-based treatment approaches, and practical considerations for managing injured workers with CRPS while promoting functional recovery and return-to-work outcomes. Oscar Wille, MD, Kinetic Spine and Pain Bio coming soon
11:45am – 1:00pm	Lunch and Vendor Break
1:00pm – 1:45pm	Keynote Presentation Experience an unforgettable keynote with magician Caleb Hyatt, whose blend of incredible illusions, quick wit, and engaging personality will leave you amazed. More than just a performance, Caleb creates an interactive experience that captivates audiences, inspires wonder, and provides the perfect blend of entertainment and lasting memories. Caleb Hyatt, Hyatts Magic Bio coming soon
1:45pm – 2:45pm	Shoulder versus Neck, the Challenges of Identifying the Pain Source In this presentation, Dr. Babu will be discussing how he diagnoses pain from these body parts. Symptoms including radiating or mechanical pain, neurological signs, joint stiffness. He will discuss tests to help unlock the diagnosis such as maneuvers, and diagnostics. Finally, treatment options once a diagnosis has been achieved. He will present case studies to review this process within the work comp claims setting. Jacob Babu, MD, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute Bio coming soon
2:45pm – 3:00pm	Break – Vendor Display Area Open
3:00pm – 4:00pm	Voices from the Bench: Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judges Address Issues You Need To Know About The Administrative Law Judge panel will give their perspectives on key workers’ compensation trends and decisions. Be ready to present those questions you need to get answered. ALJ Sean Spencer, Division of Hearings and Appeals - Office of Worker's Compensation Hearings c ALJ Amanda Luedtke, Division of Hearings and Appeals - Office of Worker's Compensation Hearings Bio coming soon. ALJ Sam Weinberg, Division of Hearings and Appeals - Office of Worker's Compensation Hearings Bio coming soon. Attorney Susan Barranco, Barranco Law - Moderator Bio coming soon.
4:00pm – 4:15pm	Door Prize Giveaway
4:15pm – 6:00pm	Industry Networking Social Hour Complimentary Hors d’ oeuvres and beverages provided. Our industry’s best opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Please note this agenda is subject to change.