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Workers Compensation Industry – Lagging In Technology

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Workers Compensation Industry – Lags in Tech

The Workers Compensation industry seems to be very far behind in any type of technological advancement.    Last year, I decided to explore what Android Apps were available for the Workers Compensation industry.  Six months ago, the same search was repeated in the Google Play Store.

Old computer Workers Compensation Industry web server
Wikimedia Commons – Coolcaesar

Each year, only one app was usable.  Most apps were advertising by mainly attorney firms.  The usable app was provided by Sedgwick.

Many companies have approached me concerning  apps provided to their clients. I usually then ask why is it not available on the App stores.   Having an app on one of the stores is a great marketing angle.  (see Sedgwick above) Some of the providers allowed access to their apps.  Most fell well short of my expectations.

I often provide telephonic advice to investment companies exploring WC companies including ancillary service providers, Third Party Administrators, carriers, etc.

One of the major factors mentioned by me is how far behind the Workers Compensation industry is when compared to:

  • Other lines of Property and Casualty insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Banking
  • Investment Services
Picture of Workers Compensation Industry Android phone apps store
(c) 123RF

Many investment advisers are very knowledgeable concerning health insurance but not necessarily WC.  When I compare WC to health, I always mention to subtract 10 -15 years and that is where WC is on the technology timeline.

One would not expect a WC provider to apply for a drone license.  However, basic access to claims on a smartphone would be a great improvement.

If there are any WC companies that have a great app or a new technology, please feel free to contact me.   The technological advancement does not have to be an app.   This is one advancement that will be at the forefront soon.

As a side note, I was a former computer systems engineer and programmer for a number of years before my foray into the Workers Compensation industry.

I will check on any new apps in the Android App store in the coming weeks.  If there is something of interest, it will appear on this blog post haste.

Technological advancement in the WC industry appeared at the NWCDC Conference in Las Vegas last year.   However, these organizations were not directly related to WC.

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James J Moore - Workers Comp Expert

Raleigh, NC, United States

About The Author...

James founded a Workers’ Compensation consulting firm, J&L Risk Management Consultants, Inc. in 1996. J&L’s mission is to reduce our clients’ Workers Compensation premiums by using time-tested techniques. J&L’s claims, premium, reserve and Experience Mod reviews have saved employers over $9.8 million in earned premiums over the last three years. J&L has saved numerous companies from bankruptcy proceedings as a result of insurance overpayments.

James has over 27 years of experience in insurance claims, audit, and underwriting, specializing in Workers’ Compensation. He has supervised, and managed the administration of Workers’ Compensation claims, and underwriting in over 45 states. His professional experience includes being the Director of Risk Management for the North Carolina School Boards Association. He created a very successful Workers’ Compensation Injury Rehabilitation Unit for school personnel.

James’s educational background, which centered on computer technology, culminated in earning a Masters of Business Administration (MBA); an Associate in Claims designation (AIC); and an Associate in Risk Management designation (ARM). He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a licensed financial advisor. The NC Department of Insurance has certified him as an insurance instructor. He also possesses a Bachelors’ Degree in Actuarial Science.

LexisNexis has twice recognized his blog as one of the Top 25 Blogs on Workers’ Compensation. J&L has been listed in AM Best’s Preferred Providers Directory for Insurance Experts – Workers Compensation for over eight years. He recently won the prestigious Baucom Shine Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer contributions to the area of risk management and safety. James was recently named as an instructor for the prestigious Insurance Academy.

James is on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the North Carolina Mid-State Safety Council. He has published two manuals on Workers’ Compensation and three different claims processing manuals. He has also written and has been quoted in numerous articles on reducing Workers’ Compensation costs for public and private employers. James publishes a weekly newsletter with 7,000 readers.

He currently possess press credentials and am invited to various national Workers Compensation conferences as a reporter.

James’s articles or interviews on Workers’ Compensation have appeared in the following publications or websites:

  • Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS)
  • Entrepreneur Magazine
  • Bloomberg Business News
  • WorkCompCentral.com
  • Claims Magazine
  • Risk & Insurance Magazine
  • Insurance Journal
  • Workers Compensation.com
  • LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites
  • Various trade publications

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