If you’re not already holding regular claim review meetings with your internal team and external partners (adjusters, defense counsel, nurse case managers, etc.), you’re missing a huge opportunity. Because the best defense strategy doesn’t start in the courtroom—it starts in your conference room.
Let’s explore why these roundtables matter, how they work, and what they can do to drive down litigation and claim costs.
Click Link to Access Free PDF Download
“Avoid the 3 Primary Reasons Injured Workers’ Hire Attorneys”
What Is a Weekly Roundtable?
A roundtable is a structured, consistent meeting where key stakeholders involved in workers’ comp claims come together to review active files, discuss strategy, and make collaborative decisions.
Typical attendees include:
-
Risk managers or HR professionals
-
Claims adjusters (internal or TPA)
-
Defense counsel (or a representative from your legal team)
-
Nurse case managers or medical advisors
-
Safety managers or supervisors (as appropriate)
Each participant brings a unique lens to the claim—medical, legal, operational, and human. When you combine these perspectives, the result is smarter, faster decisions that move claims forward and reduce friction.
Litigation Starts with Missteps. Roundtables Help You Avoid Them.
Litigation often starts because someone missed a step:
-
A medical provider wasn’t properly coordinated with.
-
An injured worker wasn’t contacted soon enough.
-
A return-to-work opportunity wasn’t explored.
-
A questionable claim wasn’t flagged for early investigation.
Weekly roundtables create a rhythm of accountability and action. They force the team to pause, evaluate, and respond before problems escalate.
Brad Bleakney, a veteran defense and plaintiff attorney, put it simply: “If you’re not involving your attorney early, you’re missing one of the legs of the stool.” Roundtables provide a built-in mechanism for that early involvement—without the inefficiency of one-off emails and calls.
Case Study: The “What Do You Think?” Advantage
Asking that question—especially of your defense attorney—can drastically change your outcomes. Why?
Because attorneys have context. They know what plays well in court, which doctors are respected, and what documentation can make or break a case. But they can’t help if you don’t ask early.
Roundtables provide a consistent forum to say:
-
“Here’s what happened—what do you think?”
-
“Should we pursue an IME now or wait?”
-
“Does this case look like a potential denial?”
-
“Would you pay this ER bill to avoid escalation?”
These are conversations best had with a team, not in isolation. And weekly roundtables make them routine.
The ROI of Collaboration
Let’s be honest—getting everyone in the same (virtual or physical) room takes time. But the return on investment is real:
-
Faster resolution of claims
Claims move forward when everyone knows the next step and who’s responsible for it. -
Lower litigation rates
Early intervention and coordinated care reduce the fear and confusion that drive workers to seek legal help. -
More accurate denials and defenses
With multiple perspectives at the table, you’re more likely to deny the right claims and prepare proper defenses. -
Better documentation
Knowing a claim will be reviewed publicly each week encourages clean, clear documentation from everyone involved. -
Reputation-building with partners
Attorneys and TPAs want to work with organized employers who run proactive programs. You become a “model client.”
What Makes a Roundtable Effective?
A roundtable isn’t just a conversation—it’s a discipline. Here are a few key tips:
-
Be consistent. Weekly is ideal. Every other week at minimum. Don’t cancel unless absolutely necessary.
-
Set an agenda. Use a simple format:
-
New claims
-
Claims with litigation potential
-
Stalled claims
-
Claims near resolution
-
-
Document action items. Assign responsibility and deadlines. Follow up the next week.
-
Include the right people. Adjusters should attend. Defense counsel should be looped in regularly—even if only for specific files.
-
Foster open dialogue. No finger-pointing. Everyone is there to solve problems, not assign blame.
Roundtables Help You Avoid, Manage, and Win
Llitigation success comes in three stages:
-
Avoiding it
-
Managing it
-
Winning it
Roundtables support all three:
-
You avoid litigation by identifying red flags early and building trust with injured workers.
-
You manage litigation by aligning legal, medical, and operational strategies.
-
You win litigation by preserving statements, coordinating evidence, and creating a persuasive case—together.
Start Small. Start Now.
If you’re not holding regular claim reviews, start with a pilot. Pick a few high-risk or high-value claims and invite your key players to a 30-minute call. Ask the simple question: “What’s our plan?”
You don’t need a fancy template or an expensive consultant to begin. Just commit to the habit of collaboration.
Because your best litigation tool isn’t a brief—it’s a table. And the people you put around it.
Michael Stack, CEO of Amaxx LLC, is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and provides education, training, and consulting to help employers reduce their workers’ compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is co-author of the #1 selling comprehensive training guide “Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Workers’ Comp Costs: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%.” Stack is the creator of Injury Management Results (IMR) software and founder of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. WC Mastery Training teaching injury management best practices such as return to work, communication, claims best practices, medical management, and working with vendors. IMR software simplifies the implementation of these best practices for employers and ties results to a Critical Metrics Dashboard.
Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/
Injury Management Results (IMR) Software: https://imrsoftware.com/
©2025 Amaxx LLC. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker, attorney, or qualified professional.
