We all know how to improve our effectiveness
by learning from the past. But with today’s
complex issues in workers’ compensation, we need
to anticipate future issues and how to handle them.
At this conference, we will learn from insightful
speakers, network, collaborate with others dedicated
to solutions, and gain a better understanding of the
issues affecting our clients. Join us in October as
we bring tomorrow into focus for today’s cases.
Featured Speakers
 David J. DePaolo, JD, MBA
David J. DePaolo, JD, MBA is the founder, President and Chief Executive of
WorkCompCentral which is a leading provider of News, Information, Research,
Education and Services to the entire workers’ compensation industry.
Mr. DePaolo
is well versed on a variety of subjects including but not limited to compliance, injury
insurance, reform, return to work and industry trends. He received his BA from San Diego State University, his MBA from California Lutheran University and his JD from Pepperdine University.
 The Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal
The Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal, Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme
Court, will participate in a panel discussion regarding the March 6, 2013 brain
injury opinions.
Chief Justice Toal began her service as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of
South Carolina on March 17, 1988, becoming the first woman to serve as a Justice of
this body. She was re-elected in February 1996 and installed as Chief Justice on March
23, 2000 for the balance of the term of her predecessor. She was re-elected again in February 2004 and installed as Chief Justice on June 9, 2004 for a ten-year term.
Prior to her election to the SC Supreme Court, Chief Justice Toal practiced law for 20 years first as an associate
with the Haynsworth Law Firm in Greenville and then as an associate and partner with Belser, Baker, Barwick,
Ravenel, Toal & Bender in Columbia.
A native of Columbia, SC, she attended parochial school and public school graduating from Dreher High School
in 1961 where she was recognized as the state’s top debater. She obtained her BA degree from Agnes Scott College and her JD from the University of South Carolina School of Law where she served as Managing Editor,
Leading Articles Editor and Book Review Editor of the SC Law Review. She is a member of the Order of the Coif, Mortar Board and Phi Beta Kappa.
Keynote Speaker
 J.R. Martinez
J.R. Martinez is a hero, actor, winner of Dancing with the Stars and author of Full of
Heart, My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit. Born Jose Rene Martinez to a single
mother from El Salvador, his dream was to become a professional football player.When
his plans were derailed by a sports injury, he decided to enlist in the Army, where he was
assigned to the Infantry Regimen of the 101st Airborne Division. J.R. saw it as a way to
give back to a country that that already given so much to him and his family.
In March 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq. Less than a month later, the Humvee he was driving hit a land mine. Three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, but J.R. was trapped inside. Suffering smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34% of his body, J.R. spent the next 34
months in recovery, undergoing 33 different surgeries, including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.
In 2011, he won season 13 of Dancing With the Stars. His dance moves combined with his powerful story garnered even more notice, including the cover of PEOPLE magazine and numerous honors and recognition
by groups nationwide. His book Full of Heart, My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit, was published in October 2012.
J.R. remains devoted to inspiring people all over the country who are facing their own challenges. And while J.R.'s
experience was certainly difficult, he credits it for the life he is living today. By reaching out to help someone else, he discovered a gift he had within himself.
According to J.R.: "The more heroes we have, the better off our world will be. All of us can have an unimaginable effect on one person with the simple concept of making him or her feel cared for, appreciated and that they matter.
Most important, you will learn far more than you ever expected, and that is what's in it for you."
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