WC Claim Headaches From Snow and Ice Injuries
Snow and Ice injuries can cause a large amount of WC claim headaches.
Last night, the temperature in many parts of the southeast US approached zero degrees with a blanket of ice and snow to make things even colder. Many news reports from Atlanta showed what can happen with just two inches of snow that melted and refroze to greet drivers on their way home.
Black ice can be daunting as the road, parking lot or sidewalk can seem to be melted or clear of any ice. Drivers in the southeast can easily speak to these conditions over the last few days. Colder climes are usually prepared for such ice and snow storms.
Some of the worst injuries that start as innocuous slip and falls can turn out to be very expensive WC claims. One of the most trying injuries for WC claim staffs are the slip and falls in the parking lots. The ingress-and-egress rules are very dissimilar for each state.
One WC court case can change how adjusters handle these claims. Each state is to its own on these rules and laws. The following are three great resources on preventing ice/snow slip and fall injuries. One even has a payroll envelope stuffer. They are:
- Workers Compensation Fund
- Zurich
- English Government
The most severe injuries that I have seen lately on snow/ice injuries are truckers that slip and fall when getting out of the truck. One claim resulted in four knee operations with the claim ending with a Permanent Total disability rating with lifetime benefits. That one is here in my office as I write this article.
There are many articles on trucking safety on snow/ice. One interesting note is none of the articles such as this one from the American Trucking Association mentions getting in and out of the trucks during icy conditions.
An interesting fact is that heatstroke accounts for the most weather-related injuries and not injuries involving cold weather.
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