Published 6/22/2026
Editor's note: To learn about recent, state-level advocacy efforts concerning workers' comp, please read the "Florida shows workers’ comp reimbursement can rise without higher premiums" article.
Navigating workers’ compensation requires more than strong clinical judgment — it demands a clear understanding of documentation, legal expectations, and return-to-work outcomes. A new online workshop presented by AAOS and the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators is designed to help orthopaedic surgeons meet these challenges with confidence and precision.
The Workers’ Compensation and Musculoskeletal Injuries Course, Nov. 5-7, will offer practical strategies for managing cases under scrutiny, strengthening documentation to support defensible care, and addressing the complexities of claims management. Led by nationally recognized experts in orthopaedics, law, and claims administration, the curriculum reflects the latest updates in this rapidly evolving area. Attendees will gain insights to improve clinical decision making, protect their practice, and achieve better outcomes in difficult claims environments.
At the conclusion of this course, learners should be able to:
- assess individuals with musculoskeletal pain related to workplace injuries and medical liability cases;
- determine causation and generate comprehensive, well-supported reports;
- develop effective treatment plans, including appropriate return-to-work recommendations;
- navigate the administrative and legal complexities of workers’ compensation and medical liability cases;
- evaluate and distinguish between surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for work-related injuries;
- implement strategies to prevent unnecessary disability and promote recovery in injured workers;
- conduct impairment evaluations and prepare accurate, defensible reports;
- strengthen report-writing skills and optimize office management for handling work-related injuries; and
- apply scientific principles to support return-to-work decisions and document them with clarity and precision.
For those looking to enhance their medico-legal skills further, the Half-Day Expert Witness Course on Nov. 5 is ideal for surgeons involved in litigation or those seeking to expand their expertise in legal proceedings. Participants will sharpen testimony skills, refine report writing, and learn how to effectively communicate complex medical information in legal settings.
Course directors George B. Holmes, Jr., MD, and J. Mark Melhorn, MD, FAAOS, will guide the discussion alongside seasoned faculty with extensive expert witness and claims experience. Together, they will provide actionable guidance that bridges clinical practice and the courtroom.
At the conclusion of this course, learners should be able to:
- recognize the purpose of independent medical examination (IME)/qualified medical evaluator (QME) reports;
- establish specific steps for processing the history, record review, physical examination, and clinical studies;
- understand how to incorporate impairment ratings into their reports;
- determine medically necessary healthcare based on clinical assessment and evaluation;
- understand causation, apportionment, basic regulations, and laws;
- improve their skills in report writing, deposition, and testimony;
- create a standard format IME/QME report; and
- develop skills to defend their IME/QME report.
Attendees who attend both programs will save $150 on registration. For those who cannot attend live, registration includes access to all recorded sessions, available for 60 days after the course.