Karl Seelbach

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, employers face a number of challenges. One of these challenges is keeping employees and customers safe. This is a daunting task, particularly in light of everchanging guidelines from federal, state and local governmental agencies. As the Trump administration issues new guidelines for opening up America, businesses of all shapes and sizes are trying to figure out how to safely operate in this “new normal” and what to expect in the… Show more

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, employers face a number of challenges. One of these challenges is keeping employees and customers safe. This is a daunting task, particularly in light of everchanging guidelines from federal, state and local governmental agencies. As the Trump administration issues new guidelines for opening up America, businesses of all shapes and sizes are trying to figure out how to safely operate in this “new normal” and what to expect in the months ahead.

COVID-19 is sure to bring a wave of future litigation on a variety of topics, including contract disputes, insurance coverage, landlord-tenant issues, medical malpractice, labor issues, etc. For Texas employers who do not have workers’ compensation, there is a legitimate concern that work injury lawsuits alleging COVID-19 exposure will spike. More than 3,000 complaints... Show less

The presentation addressed employer best practices for communications with employees, obtaining appropriate medical care and establishing a return to work plan, onsite investigations, effective incident reporting forms, collecting witness interviews and statements, preserving surveillance video, preserving equipment involved in the incident, and addressing catastrophic claims.

Co-presenter on above topic, discussing ethical duties of claims managers and employers and the proper handling of employee injury claims.

The PartnerSource Employers' Conference is ideal for risk management, finance, safety, claims, employee benefits and human resource professionals who are interested in learning about positive alternatives to workers' comp.

Discussion of ARAWC Legal Committee's ongoing licensing and brand protection efforts. Audience included leading national, regional and state employers, third party administrators, insurers, brokers and other experts dedicated to delivering improved outcomes for injured employees and their families.

Leading Nonsubscription Cases and Topics

Topics covered:

Changes to Disability Guidelines
Trends in arbitration awards
Medicare conditional payments: Protecting the employer
Accident investigation: Do’s and Don’ts
Using your benefits plan to defend cases post Austin v. Kroger

No responsible employer would question the need for a strong safety program. Safety programs effectively reduce employee injuries and related costs. Implementing a comprehensive safety program is not just the right thing to do, it is fiscally smart without regard to an employer’s legal obligations. Effective management and employee training is the key to a successful, effective safety program.

In addition to being a great idea, Texas law imposes a limited duty to...

Law360, New York (September 2, 2015, 12:22 PM ET) -- The Texas Supreme Court’s long-awaited recent decision in Austin v. Kroger Texas LP mostly benefited premises owners and nonsubscriber employers with its primary holding that no legal duty is owed with respect to open, obvious or known dangers. Austin involved Kroger’s potential liability for a slip-and-fall on a spill brought by an employee who was charged with responsibility for cleaning up the spill; thus, there was no dispute that the… Show more

Law360, New York (September 2, 2015, 12:22 PM ET) -- The Texas Supreme Court’s long-awaited recent decision in Austin v. Kroger Texas LP mostly benefited premises owners and nonsubscriber employers with its primary holding that no legal duty is owed with respect to open, obvious or known dangers. Austin involved Kroger’s potential liability for a slip-and-fall on a spill brought by an employee who was charged with responsibility for cleaning up the spill; thus, there was no dispute that the employee knew about the condition. The lengthy Austin decision reconciled arguably inconsistent authority... Show less

Law360, New York (June 17, 2015, 12:36 PM ET) -- On June 12, 2015, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its long-awaited opinion in Austin v. Kroger Texas LP. The decision clarifies and arguably changes key elements of premises liability and nonsubscriber law. The opinion is very important to all premises and business owners as well the growing number of employers in Texas who do not subscribe to the voluntary Texas workers' compensation scheme.

The case involved a Kroger grocery store… Show more

Law360, New York (June 17, 2015, 12:36 PM ET) -- On June 12, 2015, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its long-awaited opinion in Austin v. Kroger Texas LP. The decision clarifies and arguably changes key elements of premises liability and nonsubscriber law. The opinion is very important to all premises and business owners as well the growing number of employers in Texas who do not subscribe to the voluntary Texas workers' compensation scheme.

The case involved a Kroger grocery store employee, Randy Austin, whose job included keeping the floors at his store clean. Austin was... Show less

On June 12, 2015, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its long-awaited opinion in Austin v. Kroger Texas LP. The decision clarifies and arguably changes key elements of premises liability and nonsubscriber law. The opinion is very important to all premises and business owners as well the growing number of employers in Texas who do not subscribe to the voluntary Texas workers' compensation scheme.

The case involved a Kroger grocery store employee, Randy Austin, whose job included keeping… Show more

On June 12, 2015, the Supreme Court of Texas issued its long-awaited opinion in Austin v. Kroger Texas LP. The decision clarifies and arguably changes key elements of premises liability and nonsubscriber law. The opinion is very important to all premises and business owners as well the growing number of employers in Texas who do not subscribe to the voluntary Texas workers' compensation scheme.

The case involved a Kroger grocery store employee, Randy Austin, whose job included keeping the floors at his store clean. Austin was... Show less