Workers Comp Claims Spike May Show Need For More Training
Does a Workers Comp Claims spike have an easy solution? In my last post, the learning curve was what I thought would be the reason for an upcoming workers comp claims spike or explosion in claims. Rookies tend to make mistakes, whether in sports or at work. I would also -*count workers that have not performed a job or job function as part of this group, even though they are not rookies.
New York, New Jersey and employers in many other states, especially construction and demolition, will likely see a spike in claims. The easiest way to handle this inflow of claims from an employer’s point of view is to have a few very simple strategies in place.
I am going to reiterate some of my Keys To Cutting Workers Comp Costs as these are easy to use in case of an accident:
ASAP First Reports – this is very important during a claims spike as adjusters may be overloaded. Get your reports in first.
- Fax, email, or report the injury online ASAP.
- If an employee is out of work, follow-up within two business days to see if your injury report has made it to the adjuster.
- Note any questions or concerns by attaching a note to the first report of injury.
Dr. Network – the most critical key
- This is the most critical part of any WC claim without question.
- WC courts consider physicians the only impartial parties/witnesses in a claim.
- A physician panel needs to be in place.
- Treating physician controls medical cost, length of time out of work, and any permanent disability
Return to Work Program – employers sometimes forget this area when overloaded with work and claims.
- The medical providers that are seeing the WC employees should know if you have a RTW program in place
- Employees should know a return to work (RTW) program is in place.
Employee Treatment – your workers are still your employees even after an injury
- Reduces fraud
- Helps Return To Work program
- An out of work employee is still your employee
- Keeps employee in the loop
These four keys may seem very basic. However, we find that most employers with high E-Mod/X-Mods/LDF’s are not following one of more of these keys. Now is a good time to put them in place before the claims come rolling in quickly for your company.
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