Understanding Workers' Compensation

About the Book

Across America, businesses both large and small continue to confront the rising costs of workers compensation insurance. Workplace injuries can be avoided and their impact on a company and on the injured worker can be minimized.

In Understanding Workers' Compensation: Managing Workplace Injuries and Lowering Costs John W. Valente, J.D., explains the basics of workers' compensation and outlines strategies for taking some of the aggravation out of the process. While not providing legal advice, Mr. Valente reviews the cost of workers' compensation, the anatomy of the claim, litigation effect on the workplace, workplace safety concerns, investigation of workplace accidents and returning the injured worker to work. This book gives valuable insight into the world of workplace injuries, a world that many enter into but few understand. This book provides information that allows the business owner, manager, human resources professional or supervisor to begin the internal discussion of how to manage workplace injuries.

About the Author

John Valente, J.D., is a leading expert in the field of workplace injury management, having represented employers and insurance carriers since 1991.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Suffolk University School of Law, Mr. Valente began employment at the Rutland, Vermont law firm of Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd. He was named to the Board of Directors in 2001. In his role with the firm, Mr. Valente has provided representation and counsel to national, regional and local employers and insurance carriers encountering workplace injury claims. Mr. Valente has tried to conclusion many cases before the Vermont Department of Labor and Industry, the Vermont Superior Court and the Vermont Supreme Court. He has served as an arbitrator for the Vermont Department of Labor and Industry and as a mediator for cases pending at the Vermont Department of Labor, various Superior Courts of the State of Vermont and the Vermont Supreme Court.

Mr. Valente is also a respected media relations specialist, having provided services for Boston College Department of Athletics, various print and radio media outlets and countless other organizations. Notably, Mr. Valente has coordinated hundreds of press conferences, including serving as interview coordinator for NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments and assisting in conducting press conferences for the Boston Marathon. He has also provided public relations and crisis communication services as a consultant to Barton and Associates Public Relations.

As a seminar leader and presenter, his presentations consistently earn the highest ratings from audiences at conferences and seminars ranging in size from 10 to 400 attendees. He has lectured for private companies, trade associations and insurance carriers and at state and national workers' compensation insurance seminars. He regularly trains supervisors in how to investigate work place injuries and assist injured workers in returning to work. Among his most requested presentations is "Avoiding Aggravation and Reducing Cost in Workers' Compensation Claims."

Mr. Valente has also served on and held leadership positions with the Board of Directors of the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, Rutland Region Community Television, Paramount Center, Inc. and Crossroads Arts Council.