1. SAFETY
    Make it a priority and make sure your employees know it that you do. OSHA shows that employers who
    establish employee safety programs are able to reduce costs related to injury and workplace illness by
    up to 40 percent.
  2. TRANSPARENCY
    Have a clear workers’ compensation policy that is communicated and acknowledged at the time of
    hire. This includes a clear directive about reporting injuries, where to seek medical treatment and
    advice of your return to work program.
  3. COMPASSION
    Making the effort to make sure your employees’ know they are valued will make a difference in the
    outcome of the claim. Don’t give them a reason to seek support, or advocacy somewhere else.
  4. FIRST AID PROGRAM
    Having a first aid program in place will help reduce frequency.
  5. INVESTIGATION
    A good post-accident investigation is more than a root cause analysis. It will ask questions to help
    determine if the alleged injury is related to the current industrial incident as well as clear description of
    the alleged injury.
  6. COMMUNICATION
    Ongoing engagement with your injured worker is imperative for success. This includes not only regular
    follow up by an employer representative, but also setting expectations for the injured worker. Be sure
    they know who their claim adjuster is and how they can contact them by email and/or phone. Who their
    employer contact is if they have concerns about their claim handling or their medical treatment and/or
    provider. Also, a clear instructive how to and to whom they are to communicate their work status after
    each medical appointment.
  7. KNOW YOUR MPN
    Know your medical clinic provider and be sure they know you. Know who to contact to advise of any
    suspicions before an injured worker is seen, know how to obtain work or treatment status, and where to
    send complaints. Be sure they have your current insurance information. Be sure they know your
    modified duty capabilities and have job descriptions if available.
  8. JOB DESCRIPTIONS
    Are an effective tool in keeping injured workers from collecting benefits. Claim administrators regularly
    request this information at the onset of a claim. Have pre-set modified duties that can easily be sent to
    a doctor for approval.
  9. RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM
    An early return to work helps employees remain functional as they recover while providing your
    organization with the valuable use of their talents and contributions. It also helps control workers’
    compensation costs.
  10. COLLABORATION
    Typically multiple departments are impacted by worker’s compensation claims, including safety,
    human resources, risk management/finance and or upper management. Everyone needs to be on the
    same page as to expectations, protocol and the importance of a united approach.