This article was created with the assistance of AI and edited by Angela Sabarese
In a recent webinar hosted by CLM, entitled, "Post-Mortem Lessons from Purdue Pharma: Ethical and Legal Implications for Workers' Compensation," a panel of experts, including moderator and industry consultant Dr. Claire Muselman; Gregory Hamlin, senior vice president of claims, Berkley Industrial Comp; Ron Carter, CEO, RxBridge; and Ya’Sheaka Williams, partner, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, engaged in a thought-provoking discussion that centered on how Purdue Pharma's aggressive marketing of OxyContin, falsely claiming low addiction risk, contributed significantly to the opioid epidemic. The panelists explored the ripple effects throughout the workers' compensation industry and the responsibility shared across the healthcare and insurance ecosystem.
All three panelists brought personal perspectives to the conversation. Hamlin noted, "If we expect that we’re going to do the right thing for these injured workers, and if our goal is outcomes—and my philosophy is that if you get better outcomes, it's also going to naturally cost less—but we’re loading people up with 200, 300 claims, is that even feasible to achieve? I think that’s the first thing we need to think about.” He emphasized building relationships with injured workers from day one so they're more receptive when difficult conversations about medication become necessary.
Strategies for Preventing Opioid Crises
Williams highlighted the legal perspective, stating, "We have the responsibility as the employer carrier to be saying, we don't feel comfortable with the level of medications that are being prescribed to this injured worker and the long-term effects of that." She advocated for greater oversight of prescribing physicians and involving nurse case managers to advocate for injured workers.
Carter addressed the crucial role of education: "No one willingly signs up for opioid addiction. They do so more out of ignorance than they do out of anything else." He emphasized the importance of data sharing and technology in identifying potential misuse patterns.
The panel concluded that preventing future crises requires a multifaceted approach: better education for adjusters and injured workers, early intervention strategies, technological solutions for monitoring prescriptions, and an unwavering commitment to ethical claims management that prioritizes worker well-being over cost containment.