5 Questions on High-Risk Industries, CLM Session with Michele Punturi & Michelle Leighton

In advance of the CLM Focus Conference coming up Feb. 11-12, we're presenting a series of conference-preview pieces to better understand what the sessions will offer and why they're relevant to the workers' compensation industry. Today, we catch up with Michelle Leighton and Michele Punturi, who will be presenting Workers Comp Risk Management Best Practices: Insights from High-Risk Industries alongside Casey Flynn and David Shoaff.

Q. How would you define or describe the need for education and learning in high-risk industries, and why is it important that workers' compensation professionals in that space attend a session like this? 

Leighton & Punturi: High-risk industries face unique and constant challenges in workers’ compensation, where workplace injuries can have a profound impact on an employer’s financial health and operational stability. Education and learning in high-risk industries are vital because these environments are inherently dynamic, with constantly changing risks, regulations, and technologies. Workers’ compensation professionals are at the forefront of managing employee well-being and mitigating organizational liability, making it essential for them to stay informed. This session will explore innovative strategies for injury prevention, risk mitigation, and cost management, helping professionals reduce the frequency and severity of claims. Attendees will learn best practices for implementing tailored risk management strategies, from effective talent acquisition and safety programs to streamlined injury management and post-injury employee reintegration. 

Q. Who should attend this session, and who stands to learn the most and apply the insights? 

L&P: This session is designed for all stakeholders involved in workers’ compensation claims, including employers, safety professionals, claims adjusters, brokers, defense counsel, and medical providers. Each attendee will gain practical, actionable insights to enhance their ability to manage return-to-work programs and implement best practices within high-risk industries such as construction, retail, and healthcare. By attending, these individuals can learn practical strategies to improve claims outcomes, adopt proactive risk management techniques, and ensure a safer, more resilient workplace. 

Q. What experiences have led you to focus on this topic and present on it? 

L&P: With over 30 years of legal experience exclusively dedicated to defending self-insured entities, insurance carriers, and employers in workers’ compensation matters, I (Michele Punturi) have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by high-risk industries. My co-presenter, Michelle Leighton, brings equally extensive risk management expertise as a claims advocate and consultant in an insurance brokerage landscape, working closely with employers to develop strategies that balance employee support and cost containment. Together, we have partnered with clients in sectors like construction, retail, and healthcare to tackle complex issues related to risk management, return-to-work programs, and workplace safety. These experiences have shaped our insights, and we are excited to share them with peers. We will also be joined by panelists Casey Flynn and David Shoaff, who will share their insights as employers in high-risk industries.  

Q. What will attendees gain from this session that they didn’t have before? 

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to optimize and apply their existing tools in innovative ways, enhancing their effectiveness in managing workers’ compensation challenges. They will also gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation in high-risk industries, including innovative approaches to claims advocacy, proactive risk mitigation, and effective medical management and return-to-work programs. 

Q. What makes you proud about presenting on this topic and session? 

Managing and defending workers’ compensation claims in high-risk industries plays a crucial role in strengthening a company’s financial health, fostering a culture of safety, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. There is a lot of pride with presenting this topic because it highlights the critical role workers’ compensation professionals play in supporting employees and protecting businesses. It is deeply rewarding to share knowledge that can help employers reduce liability, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to safer and more sustainable workplaces. This session is an opportunity to share insights and strategies that can truly make a difference—not just in reducing claims or costs, but in fostering safer workplaces and better outcomes for injured workers. Supporting professionals in these industries allows us to make a meaningful impact together. 

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