As I mentioned in Part 1, I was on a medical malpractice jury in June 2024. There were several things that I learned through that process that I think work comp stakeholders should consider on each individual claim. People put into unfamiliar circumstances are reliant on experts. Many of the medical terms used throughout the trial were foreign to everyone on the jury. Since we could not do any research…
I had the privilege of being the foreperson on a medical malpractice trial in June 2024. Based on the expressions of most of the people during voir dire, “privilege” wasn’t the first word that was on their mind. Once selected, however, the countenance of the chosen changed dramatically. From the case summary we heard, the stakes were high. If the two defendants were found guilty, they would be financially burdened,…
Everyone under the age of 80 probably recognizes the term FOMO – fear of missing out. This is a primary strategy of marketing, to make the potential consumer want to buy the product for fear of missing out on (fill in the blank). That underlying fear is what makes social media so compelling as connections post their vacation pictures or their new car or their wonderful family. FOMO isn’t inherently…
According to AI, the human brain remembers negative things more than positive things due to: Emotional processing Survival Negative bias Evolutionary defense mechanism Vividness Heightened awareness This explains a very common comment as a new year arrives – “I’m sure glad that year is over with.” A lot can happen in 365 days (or 366 days in the case of 2024). Unless you keep a journal that documents the daily…
Steve was a highly paid Union oil pipeliner in October 2015 when he was involved in a fiery truck crash as another driver drove through a stop sign. It took more than two hours for the “jaws of life” to extract him. A passerby held his hand while he was trapped, even calling his wife who was over 1000 miles away to let Steve tell her things he wanted her…
NOTE: This is a guest article written by Nikki Mehrpoo. Nikki is a highly respected authority in the fields of Workers' Compensation and Immigration & Nationality law, with extensive experience spanning over 27 years, specializing in all aspects of compliance, policy development, technology, curriculum development and legal advocacy. She is renowned for her extensive knowledge bridging the gap between HR, Labor, Employment, Workers’ Compensation and Immigration matters and has become…
Everything we go through in life is preparation for what is to follow. I wrote down this remark from a recent video because it told my life story. It probably tells yours too. If I got mulligans for my life thus far, there are definitely actions / lack of actions / words / reactions / attitudes / choices / thoughts / priorities / relationships / etc. that I would change.…
If you have been a human for a while, you’ve been subjected to criticism. Sometimes it is accurate (“You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”) and sometimes unfair (“That referee has to be blind to have called it a strike!” from row 35 in section 412). Sometimes it happens to people just minding their own business while other times it happens because you’re a highly visible personality. Criticism…
This article was written by someone who wishes to remain anonymous to make an important point about honesty in the job application process. With an earnest desire to join the workers’ compensation ecosystem, an adjuster without work comp experience may feel the need to embellish their qualities to secure an interview. That is the wrong initial step to take into an industry that requires honesty. Ultimately, the knowledge / experience…
If you say life is not fair, you are absolutely correct. It never has been and never will be. That statement implies helplessness, frustration, and uncertainty. It also implies an unpredictable future. Whether you shake your metaphorical fist at yourself, others or God, this statement indicates you’re at a crossroads. What typically comes before or after that observation is a simple but complicated two words: Why me? If you're an…
