February 2026 ASSP Chapter Meeting [HYBRID]

Please join us for our February 2026 Chapter Meeting!

We will be discussing “Strategies for Detecting Fraudulent Workers Comp Claims and Getting Employees Back to Work” with Sue Roudebush of Taft.

 

Please see all details below.

If you plan on coming in-person, please RSVP to Samantha Haning (samantha.haning@vertiv.com) via email! We will need your RSVP for lunch quantities.

 

WE WILL BE OFFERING CEUs AT THIS SESSION FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES.

 

Date:

Friday, February 27, 2026

 

Location:

Team Fishel

1366 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215

 

 

Proposed agenda:

9am-10am: Networking and Light Refreshments

10am-11am: Presentation and Meeting

 

Speaker Bio:

Sue Roudebush

Our presenter is Ms. Sue A. Roudebush. Sue practices employment law, focusing on workers’ compensation and OSHA law and procedure. She represents self-insured and state-funded
employers during all stages of their workers’ compensation matters, including claims investigation and management, administrative hearings, litigation, appeals on mandamus before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Ohio, and settlement.
In addition to several years in private practice, Sue worked as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General in the Workers’ Compensation Section. Sue regularly writes and presents on workers’ compensation and OSHA topics. Her programs are presented at safety council meetings, continuing education seminars, and internal client education and training events.

COVID-19 Management Counseling
Helped clients understand their legal obligations under new labor and employment laws passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drafted work-from-home, leave, and reopening policies; advised on mass layoff obligations, terminations, furloughs, unemployment issues, and alternative work arrangements; and recommended best practices for essential workers, safe reopening, employee testing and health assessments, employee travel, and face covering requirements.
Workers’ Compensation Settlement Defense
Represented a medical center in defending a workers’ compensation settlement that was challenged by an employee, who, despite agreeing to the settlement, argued that the settlement amount was insufficient to cover their interests for the reimbursement of medical costs. Defended this settlement in front of the Ohio Industrial Commission, which is the adjudicating body of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, allowing the medical center to leave its fully negotiated settlement agreement intact.
Testimony Before The Ohio Senate

Testified before the Ohio Senate on behalf of an Ohio business trade organization regarding House Bill 308, which impacts workers’ compensation benefits for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to their employment.
Corporate Employment Reorganization
Implemented a corporate reorganization for a privately owned retailer operating in numerous states. This involved merging approximately 13 corporations out of existence and establishing one consolidated entity to employ all Ohio employees. Work was completed in five business days due to the impending close of the client’s fiscal year.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty Under Workers’ Compensation
Defended a client against a claim of breach of fiduciary duty under Ohio workers’ compensation laws governing self-insured employers. Secured a favorable settlement and avoided re-opening workers’ compensation claims against the client.
Protection of BWC Funds
Pursued injunctive relief against the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) on behalf of several national and state trade associations to prevent the OBM from using up to $2 billion in Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation funds for state purposes. Secured memorandum of understanding on behalf of the associations prohibiting the OBM from raiding the funds and preventing other state agencies from taking similar action in the future.
Cost Control on Workers’ Comp Claims
Used both aggressive and strategic techniques to help a new client with multiple derailed claims get their claims costs under control. For example, fighting to have only the necessary treatment allowed and unrelated conditions denied, we successfully argued that an injured worker had reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) to terminate compensation. Out of options, the injured worker ultimately settled her claim.

 

 

 

Event Topic:
Strategies for Detecting Fraudulent Workers Comp Claims and Getting Employees Back to Work

Workers’ compensation is intended to cover an employee’s medical treatment and wages, but only IF the injury or disease was sustained from their employment.  While insurance companies will defend against the claim, what can you do to determine if the claim should be allowed?  Attendees will learn best practices for investigating workers’ compensation claims to aid in the defense, when necessary.  Employers will also learn tips for getting their employees back to work as soon as possible, and most importantly, safely!