Summer 2023 Newsletter

Sponsored by:

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President's Letter
By Kurt Leisure

Dear NRRDA Members,
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​As we head into the heart of summer, I am reflecting on the tumultuous recent spring weather and the promise of sunny days ahead; remember, I’m based in California! I also recognize that there is still a lot of uncertainty in this world, and there is not going to be a “back to the way things were”, at least from a risk management perspective. 

The emerging risks that are causing us to lose sleep at night mostly revolve around technology and what might be coming in the near future. Artificial Intelligence, the next cyber attack twist, the use of Chatgpt and the drain on power supplies from the move to electric vehicles, are just a few of these risk related discussions we are having. 

On the non-tech side, we are still struggling to manage active shooters and the fear of taking a defensible claim to trial because jury pools appear to be so unpredictable. Mental health and traumatic brain injury allegations seem to now be a part of every claim but understanding how these fit into our traditional claims approach is yet to be fully worked through.

As we confront these challenges, the member’s only NRRDA Lighthouse and Annual Conference committees are working to bring the experts to the table so we can network and navigate through solutions to these emerging risks. Our Lighthouse event, scheduled for the evening of October 25th and through the day on the 26th in Louisville, KY, is coming up quickly. We have some unique networking events planned that you will not want to miss.  Make sure that your membership is current; we expect this to sell out quickly.
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I hope you have an amazing summer with some scheduled vacation on the calendar. Look for updates on our website as well as in our posts on LinkedIn. We are here to support you, let us know what we can provide to you, our membership, to better engage and add value to your NRRDA membership.
 
Respectfully,
 
Kurt Leisure

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2023 Lighthouse Seminar - Barreling Toward the Future
October 25-26, 2023 - Louisville, Kentucky

- Registration is FREE for Industry Members, includes reception
- Attorney/Vendor Member registration - $495, includes reception

• In-depth, advanced content
• Intimate and interactive learning experience
• Members only, space is limited

- Registration opens August 1, 2023.
- Upon registration, attendees will receive the hotel reservation link.

Welcome Reception - Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory 
​October 25, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Round trip transportation will be provided.
​You must be registered to attend the reception.

​Join us at the iconic Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory for an exclusive evening of connection. Lighthouse attendees can tour the museum, take batting practice, enjoy a catered dinner that offers the best of local Louisville cuisine and savor a custom bourbon experience curtesy of Barrels & Billets.
 

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Educational Agenda
October 26, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm EDT

The Sobering Truth About Surveillance
​Surveillance systems are a fantastic deterrent to crime and a liability defense tool, but are you preserving enough footage and is this technology being used against you?  This session will dig into your legal obligations of preserving this critical evidence and what you need to know when discovery requests ask for your surveillance data.
Virtual Training:  The Good, The Bad and the (Hopefully Not Too) Ugly
Virtual training is here to stay.  There are many advantages to companies such as centralized supervision of training and the reduction labor hours required to put on programs.  But there are also downsides.  The panel will discuss the pluses from a corporate perspective as well as the potential for increased risk in terms of third -party liability, Workers’ Compensation and employment liability exposure
Tort Reform in 2023: From Florida to the Future
While Florida had the most significant Tort Reform changes in recent memory, there is still much work to be done.  We will discuss what has happened there and in other states, what may still be needed, and how these statutory changes impact the Retail and Restaurant industries and our best practices
Mental Health is it just “Angel’s Share”
This session will be a presentation and discussion on the real impact of mental health on productivity, work environment & culture and, ultimately, the outcomes on GL and WC claims. Regarding WC, how do we care for the whole person? Let’s talk about the 900 lb. barrel in the room.
​“He’s dead Jim!” Is civility dead and gone?
In this age of polarization and nuclear verdicts, how do we respond to the growing lack of civility in litigation and what do the ethical rules have to say about it.  This session will provide an in-depth discussion regarding professionalism, courtesy, and how to work with a difficult opponent.

Email [email protected] for the chance to register first on August 1.

Lighthouse Sponsorships

Support the sixth Lighthouse Seminar with one of the following high exposure sponsorship opportunities - limited availability on a first come first serve basis. Sponsors are acknowledged online and on all printed seminar materials. NRRDA thanks you for your support. Click here for the full list.

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2024 Annual Conference
February 21-23, 2024 - Rancho Mirage, California

Conference testimonials show NRRDA brings the content ​and opportunities.

"​Many of the courses offered professional insights even for non attorneys. The activities were well planned for maximum networking opportunities."

"Content was excellent. Networking opportunities were great. This event attracts decision makersand high level executives which is appealing."

​The materials and content are directed to the retail and restaurant industries and that focus enables the attendees to learn about cutting edge issues they face or may face in handling matters for such clients.

While the conference committee finalizes the program, you can learn more about hosting panel counsel meetings and Industry scholarships here.

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Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) 
By Heather Sanderson

A Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) is a financial agreement that reserves a portion of a workers’ compensation settlement to cover future treatment and prescription costs of an injury, illness, or disease. MSAs were designed to protect Medicare from paying for post-settlement treatment related to the underlying injury for which the employer/workers’ compensation carrier would remain liable for if the claim was not settled. Utilized when an injured worker is or will soon be a Medicare beneficiary, MSAs project future injury-related medical costs over the person’s life expectancy. 

​Read more here.