49th Annual Torts Update 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • OnDemand seminar
  • Tort Law
Up to 4.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
49th Annual Torts Update 2026

New decisions. Real consequences. One morning to get current.

The 49th Annual Torts Update delivers quick-hitting, case-based updates in Wisconsin torts practice, so you come away ready to advise clients and handle what comes next. You’ll explore developments in UIM coverage, food delivery service liability, expert testimony, and more. Each session is built around specific cases with practical takeaways you can apply right away.

What’s on the docket:

  • Medical malpractice update – Recent case law including the constitutionality of the COVID-19 Immunity Statute’s prohibition of a jury trial
  • Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage developments – Limits when the individual is not “occupying” the vehicle, permissible UIM exclusions, and two recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decisions
  • Criminal act exclusions – Homeowners insurance exclusions for criminal behavior, including coverage issues involving minor-involved injury
8:30 am
Coverage issues involving Door Dash and Other Food Delivery Services

Lawrence J. Drabot

  • Ramirez v. Voyager Indemnity Insurance Co.
  • Food Delivery drivers and when automobile insurance has a delivery exclusion
  • Common exclusions in automobile policies
8:55 am
Medical Malpractice Update

Mark E. Larson

  • Wren v. St. Mary’s Hospital
  • Constitutionality of the COVID-19 Immunity Statute’s prohibition of a jury trial
9:10 am
UIM Coverage Update

Ashley M. Schutt

  • Gohlke v. West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.
  • Fredrich v. Farmers Group Property & Casualty Insurance Co.
  • Limits when the individual is not “occupying” the vehicle
  • Insurers UIM exclusion and if it is permissible
9:30 am
Criminal Act Exclusions

Monte E. Weiss

  • Westbrook v. American Family Mutual Insurance Co.
  • Homeowners insurance exclusions for criminal behavior
  • Minor involved injury
10:05 am
Negligent Hiring Claims Against Interstate Trucking Brokerage Companies

Edward E. Robinson

  • Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC
  • Preemption and state tort law claims against trucking brokers
10:30 am
Safe Place Law and Punitive Damages

David J. Turek

  • Lorbiecki v. Pabst Brewing Company
  • Understand what was affirmed and what was reversed
10:55 am
Letters of Protection and Expert Testimony

Amy Hetzner

  • Kyllonen v. Artisan and Truckers Casualty Co.
  • Treating physician opinions and whether they are barred in a personal injury case
11:05 am
The Ethics of Using AI

Sarah E. Peterson

  • Mata v. Avianca, Inc. (S.D.N.Y. June 22, 2023)
  • United States v. Heppner (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2026)
  • Tremblay v. OpenAI, Inc. (N.D. Cal. Aug. 8, 2024)
  • Warner v. Gilbarco, Inc. (E.D. Mich. Feb. 10, 2026)
  • Filing briefs with fabricated ChatGPT cases
  • Claude AI and whether the output is work-product
  • Are counsel’s LLM prompts protected work-product
  • Are a pro se litigants AI searches protected work-product
12:05 pm
Program Concludes

Program Chair

Michael P. Crooks
von Briesen & Roper, S.C. · Madison

Program Chair & Presenter

Edward E. Robinson
Cannon & Dunphy, S.C. · Brookfield

Presenters

7 total
Lawrence J. Drabot
Ratzel & Associates, LLC · Brookfield
Amy Hetzner
Schmidt, Rupke, Tess-Mattner & Fox, S.C. · Brookfield
Mark E. Larson
Gutglass Erickson Larson & Schneider, S.C. · Milwaukee
Sarah E. Peterson
State Bar of Wisconsin · Madison
Ashley M. Schutt
Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. · Waukesha
David J. Turek
Gass Turek, LLC · Milwaukee
Monte E. Weiss
Weiss Law Office, S.C. · Mequon

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Understand the legal issues emerging in Wisconsin tort practice so you’re prepared for the cases that land on your desk
  • Get an overview of recent major court decisions on tort matters and receive the information you need to represent your clients with confidence
  • Explore current ethics topics in legal practice, including the use of AI, through case studies drawn from real courtroom decisions
  • Stay current on insurance coverage developments across UIM, criminal act exclusions, and emerging areas like food delivery service liability
  • Civil litigators
  • Insurance lawyers
  • Torts and personal injury attorneys
  • General practitioners

Book Bonus!

Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability
Save 25% on Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability.* This new resource delivers clear, in-depth coverage of product liability law, covering evidentiary considerations, damages, and more. Use discount code CA3987 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.