SAN JOSE/SAN FRANCISCO -- State Compensation Insurance Fund will hold a comprehensive workers’ compensation seminar for policyholders on August 8 in San Jose. The seminar will cover the basics of workers' compensation; provide an overview of the claims and audit processes, and educate employers about the importance of injury and illness prevention.

Featured speakers at the seminar will be State Fund Underwriting Manager Blanche Castillon; State Fund Loss Control Representatives Jim Kilpatrick and Michael Suess; State Fund Audit Managers Bobbi Estrada and Diane Lopez-Nelson, and State Fund Assistant Claims Manager Dennis Moranz.

The seminar will be conducted in four parts, with the first part focusing on workers’ compensation basics. In this section, employers will learn about the primary issues affecting their workers’ compensation policy rates including:

• Premiums – how they are calculated and the factors considered in calculations
• Classifications – how this affects rates
• Experience modification – what it is, how it is calculated, how it affects rates
• Policy Discounts – an examination of available discounts

In the second portion of the seminar, State Fund Loss Control Representatives Kilpatrick and Suess will explain to employers the necessity of having an Injury and Illness Prevention Program that suits their business. Highlights include:

• The importance of an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
• How to create an effective IIPP tailored to an individual business
• An explanation of State Fund Loss Control services and how policyholders can take advantage of them at no additional cost

The third part of the seminar will clarify the claims process for employers and explain the benefits of having a “return-to-work” program. Covered in this section will be:

• Basic claims process
• Claims reform and how it affects employers
• Explanation of “return to work” programs

In the final section of the seminar, State Fund Audit Managers Estrada and Lopez-Nelson will explain State Fund's auditing process and explain why keeping accurate payroll records is crucial for saving premium dollars. This section will also cover:

• Who gets audited and how often
• The factors prompting an audit
• What to do when there is an audit dispute

The seminar is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at State Fund’s San Jose District Office, 6203 San Ignacio Avenue. Registration and complimentary continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. To register, please call Mathew Fears at (408) 363-7442, or send a fax to (408) 574-6557. To register via email, please email, MMFears@scif.com.

The San Jose seminar is part of a series of educational programs State Compensation Insurance Fund is holding throughout the state in order to help employers create safe workplaces. State Fund has the largest safety and health services program among California workers’ compensation insurance carriers.

Additional seminars in this series of educational programs are also available.