Medical worker treating burns on male's hand.
The Workers' Compensation Institute (WCI) is broadening the scope of its 2026 Annual Conference with the introduction of a new educational track dedicated to liability claims — an area gaining increasing attention across the risk and insurance landscape.
Scheduled for August 23-26 in Orlando, the event will carry the theme "WCI Goes Glam — Bold Ideas & Big Impact," reflecting an emphasis on fresh thinking and meaningful industry impact.
Although WCI is widely known for its deep focus on workers' compensation, the conference has long served as a platform for addressing adjacent and emerging issues affecting claims professionals. The addition of a liability-focused breakout underscores how quickly this segment is evolving, with organizations facing more frequent claims, rising costs and greater complexity in managing exposures.
Conference organizers note that the new track was developed in direct response to attendee demand, as well as the growing operational and financial implications of liability claims for employers and carriers alike. As these claims continue to expand in scope, so too does the need for practical, forward-looking strategies.
Leading the new breakout sessions will be industry experts Max Koonce, Marc Salm and Irina Simpson, who will guide attendees through three targeted discussions centered on today's most pressing liability concerns. The sessions are designed to move beyond theory, offering real-world perspectives and actionable takeaways.
Topics will include navigating litigation in a rapidly shifting environment, identifying strategies to mitigate high-severity losses and leveraging emerging technologies to combat fraud. The session focused on fraud prevention will highlight how tools such as analytics and artificial intelligence are being applied to uncover suspicious activity, enhance claims oversight and improve overall outcomes.
The new track is expected to resonate with a wide audience, including liability adjusters, risk managers, attorneys, and employers with significant exposure. By addressing both strategic and operational challenges, WCI aims to provide attendees with insights that can be directly applied within their organizations.
As liability issues continue to intersect with broader claims management responsibilities, WCI's expanded programming signals a clear recognition of the need for more comprehensive education — ensuring the conference remains aligned with the realities facing today's industry professionals.
(Featured image credit: Microgen/Shutterstock)
PropertyCasualty360's 2026 Workers' Comp Risk Management Award for Excellence honors outstanding loss control, safety and return-to-work programs. The award is presented during the WCI Annual Conference. The hard deadline to nominate is May 15, 2026. Submit your nominations today!
Maura Keller is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer and editor.
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