- 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. - 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. - 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. - FIRST AID PROGRAM
Having a first aid program in place will help reduce frequency. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
