Deconstructing Comp

Darrell Mathis: O-Block Grit and Work Comp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk with Darrell Mathis, Director of Workers’ Compensation for the City of Chicago, and explore his work to modernize and manage one of the nation's largest municipal programs. Darrell shares his 33-year journey from the private sector to public service, offering candid insights into program reform, transparency, and talking about “paying what we owe.” He discusses how Chicago has transformed litigation strategy, reduced claim backlogs, and improved fairness for injured employees, all while supporting first responders facing unimaginable risks. City of Chicago is self-insured and works with a TPA to administer claims. With over 33,000 employees and 3,600 open claims, Darrell’s team is setting a new benchmark for municipal excellence in workers’ compensation. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of leadership, accountability, service mindset, and compassion in public-sector risk management.Darrell also opens up about his own health journey and how dedicating himself to the City of Chicago and the work he loves became a key part of his recovery.Key TakeawaysHow municipal code changes, litigation reform, and payment integrity reshaped Chicago’s comp program.Why “paying what we owe” builds trust and accelerates resolution.The real challenges of managing 3,600 open claims and a $700M reserve.Strategies to motivate and retain adjusters in a high-pressure environment.Chicago’s commitment to care for catastrophically injured police and firefighters.Darrell’s vision to make Chicago the global gold standard for workers’ compensation programs. Darrell mentioned some folks who help him keep the lights on at the City of Chicago Workers' Compensation program: Donald “Taylor” Chittick – Asst. DirectorTiffany Williams – RTW Project ManagerKathleen Heenan – Workers’ Compensation LiaisonTomeka Long – Workers’ Compensation LiaisonAshley Chen – AdminDarrell mentions his devotion to faith and service. He is an ordained Deacon at the Progressive Baptist Church. His Pastor is Dr. Charlie E. Dates. As an officer of the Church, he is involved with many aspects of the ministry. Black Boy Lit is an initiative of Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church. Dr. Dates is the Pastor of both churches.  Additionally, he and his wife chair a capital campaign for the church, called DREAM. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Jeff Adelson: Soft Skills in a Tough System

Send us a textIn this episode, co-hosts Yvonne Guibert and Rafael Gonzalez talk with expert defense attorney and educator Jeff Adelson in a candid conversation about two often-overlooked forces in workers’ compensation: ethics and empathy. Together, they explore how small shifts in behavior, perspective, and communication can create better outcomes for injured workers and claims professionals alike.From managing ethical gray zones to acknowledging the human side of every claim, Jeff brings decades of insight, humor, and heart to the conversation. This episode challenges us to rethink the role of compassion in claims management and reminds us that doing the right thing and doing good business are not mutually exclusive.💡 Highlights for Newer Professionals in Workers’ Comp✔️ Know the Rules on Represented PartiesJeff shares an important story about being asked to communicate directly with a represented worker. This is a legal and ethical no-go: always respect representation boundaries; communicating without counsel is prohibited and can jeopardize a case.✔️ Doing the Right Thing Isn’t Always EasyIn a pivotal moment, Jeff explains how his firm gave up a significant contract rather than compromise its ethics. It's a lesson for anyone new to the industry: ethics must come before convenience or profit.✔️ Ethical Issues Aren’t Always Black and WhiteThe episode touches on how clerical issues or unclear situations, like a temporarily inactive attorney, require careful, thoughtful handling. Consulting with ethics counsel and taking the high road is always a sound strategy.📘 Terms to Know (Episode Reference)Ethics (in Workers’ Compensation) The moral principles that guide behavior and decision-making within the workers’ comp system, including how injured employees are treated, how claims are handled, and the integrity of legal, medical, and administrative actions.Empathy The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In claims management, empathy can foster trust, improve communication, and lead to better outcomes by acknowledging the human side of the injury.Moral Hazard A situation in which one party is more likely to take risks or act unethically because they do not bear the full consequences of their actions — often discussed in the context of fraudulent claims or system abuse.Conflict of Interest A situation where a person or entity involved in the claims process (e.g., provider, attorney, or claims adjuster) has competing interests that could improperly influence decisions or outcomes.Good Faith Handling The expectation that claims administrators and insurers will act fairly, honestly, and in the best interest of all parties — especially the injured worker — throughout the claims process.Compassion Fatigue Emotional exhaustion can affect professionals who regularly deal with others’ trauma or suffering. Often experienced by adjusters, nurse case managers, or clinicians, it may lead to detachment or burnout.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

David Langham: Floridiana and Work Comp

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael catch up with Judge David Langham, Deputy Chief Judge of the State of Florida, and a prolific writer, blogger, educator, and speaker. If you're curious about the history of Florida’s workers’ compensation system, and you want to learn what "stare decisis" is, don’t miss our conversation with Judge Langham. He's widely recognized as the leading legal authority on this topic. In addition to a concise and thorough history lesson on the Florida work comp system, we discuss a few other key points specific to Florida. To access books and resources Judge Langham mentioned during the episode, including his free downloadable book: "Floridiana and the Workers' Compensation Adjudicators," visit www.dwlangham.com.Visit his Blogger profile to check out Judge Langham's blogs (there are several). Note: stare decisis is a legal term. According to LexisNexis, it means "to stand by things decided and not disturb settled points." They further explain, "The doctrine of stare decisis, or binding precedent, is the principle by which judges are bound by previous judicial decisions, especially of superior courts. To 'stand by things decided', the basis for the doctrine of precedent, there is no room for further examination or interpretation of a point or principle of law; the court is bound to the reasoning in the prior decision, unless there is a unique exception or the matter is before a higher court."¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Rosa Royo: Getting Creative in Miami

Send us a textIn this episode, Yvonne and Rafael chat with friend and colleague Rosa Royo, Director, Workers' Compensation and Loss Prevention at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This is Rosa's second time visiting us at Deconstructing Comp. This school system is the third largest school system in the country with 450 school sites, 335,000 students and over 40,000 employees (based on most current statistics). We start off the episode talking about what each of us are doing creatively that we have not done before, or haven't done in a while. Rosa talks about playing string instruments, Rafael talks about getting back into tennis, and Yvonne talks about doodling and art. Rosa talks about the need to pivot quickly and why it is important to regularly review your program for areas that are weak and need to be strengthened. She discusses how post-pandemic workers' compensation care  is strained due to not having adequate access to providers and providers aging out of the system. She spends much of her time reviewing her provider network and ensuring she is doing her best to fill the gaps where they are exist. Rosa also talks about the importance of communication, a common theme in our episodes. She personally signs over 4,000 get well cards per year that are sent out in packages to injured workers. It is a small gesture that Rosa says pays high dividends: 16% reduction in litigation when she started this practice. Dive into the full episode and hear what else Rosa has to say. ¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Gina Jacobs: Defending Claims With Purpose

Send us a textIn this episode of Deconstructing Comp, Yvonne and Rafael welcome Gina Jacobs, a defense attorney with Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP, to share what it’s like navigating workers’ compensation from the defense side. Joining from Orlando, Gina brings a candid look at how defense counsel approaches claims, collaborates with employers and carriers, and works toward fair resolutions within Florida’s workers' compensation system.Gina’s journey into law is one of purpose and passion. After spending more than 10 years as a claims professional, working with Crawford & Company, Zenith Insurance, and Gallagher Bassett, she made the leap to law school to deepen her understanding of the industry she already loved. Today, that background shapes her work as a defense attorney, giving her rare empathy for claims adjusters and a deep appreciation for how every stakeholder impacts the outcome of claims.Throughout the conversation, Gina shares how she balances advocacy with understanding, why communication remains at the heart of every successful case, her commitment to partnerships, and how she’s using her experience to mentor and educate the next generation of professionals in workers’ compensation.This engaging episode offers a thoughtful and balanced look at what it means to defend claims while staying true to the people and purpose behind the process.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp