Stakeholders Question Move to Make Virtual Dispute Conferences Permanent

The Texas Division of Workers' Compensation plans to ask lawmakers for the authority to make internet-based claims mediations the norm, long after the pandemic's social distancing requirements have been relaxed. But some stakeholders are pushing back, arguing that video and telephone meetings leave much to be desired and are resulting in delays and further litigation. At the very least, the current system of rotating remote benefit review conferences among different regions of the state needs to be fine-tuned. Review officers who are familiar with certain issues should pres...