The Oregon Workers' Compensation Division (WCD) is rolling out the red carpet for an essential gathering in Portland this May. The 21st annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference, a two-day event ripe for knowledge-sharing, networking, and skill-refreshing for those in the workers' compensation sector, is set to take place May 9-10 at the Holiday Inn Portland - Columbia Riverfront on 909 N. Hayden Island Drive, as confirmed by the Oregon government newsroom.

With a lineup covering claim filing, dispute resolution, return-to-work programs, and the ever-crucial topic of mental health in the workplace, it's the place to be for employers, insurers, attorneys, and those in safety and HR roles, and, let's not forget the guardians of the workforce, union reps along with the medical and vocational experts who handle the aftermath when things on the job go south.

The conference is a concerted effort by WCD, an arm of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, working in tandem with the International Workers' Compensation Foundation. 

As the grand finale on Friday, the conference will wheel in a panel talk to beat all, poised to deliver a hefty dose of reality on common workplace compensation scenarios the star-studded lineup includes Sydney Montanaro, a staunch advocate for workers at Thomas, Coon, Newton, & Frost, and Lauren Oda of SBH Legal, who's in the employer and insurer's corner, will be joining forces to give attendees a look through the lens of their ample experience brokering peace and waging war in the name of their clients.

"The panel, moderated by WCD Resolution Section Manager Kirsten Schrock, will explore common situations in workers’ compensation and provide the speakers’ own unique outlook. Each panelist will share their views based on the experience of representing their clients, offering different perspectives, as well as areas of common interest," according to a statement obtained by the Oregon government newsroom.