Attention Business Owners! 5 Important Steps After an Employee Injury

Routine training and diligent efforts to maintain a safe and efficient work environment are essential for protecting the health and well-being of employees. Unfortunately, however, these efforts are not always sufficient for preventing all work-related accidents. When these events occur, here are five critical steps that every employer should take.

Report The Claim Right Away

Timely reporting of workers' compensation claims can significantly diminish their overall costs. Studies have shown that lag time between an injury event and actual reporting can drive up settlement cots. The total loss costs for claims that are reported thirty days or more after the actual event are approximately 37 percent higher than claims that are reported right away.

Start Investigations Immediately After The Injury Has Occurred

Accidents should be investigated by claims adjusters or immediate supervisors right after injury events have occurred. Witnesses are more likely to give accurate accounts of an incident when it's still fresh in their minds. In addition to revealing a number of contributing factors, these efforts can also help employers identify the best preventative actions.

Obtain A Medical Release

Injured parties should be asked to sign a medical release as soon as possible. This will expedite the transfer of all relevant medical records. Although it isn't possible to force employees to sign this release, it is vital to request it and explain the benefits of doing so. Workers should know that a signed medical release can expedite the claims process for all parties.

Establish A Point Of Contact

The business should maintain contact with the claims adjuster throughout the entirety of the claim. Establishing a constant, in-house point of contact will prevent important information from getting lost or overlooked. The in-house point of contact should additionally have the task of keeping all key personnel updated on any new developments.

Create A Return-to-Work Plan

Attorneys like Steven P. Roberts personal injury lawyers can assist employers in creating modified return-to-work plans for injured employees. These plans can limit total loss costs by reducing the likelihood of lost wages. A return-to-work plan also shows employees that they are both valued and supported throughout their recoveries.

Although prevention is the most important part of controlling loss costs, there is still much that employers can do to protect their interests when injury events occur. Timely reporting and a solid plan for expediting the claims process are critical. With the right actions, company owners can minimize the long-term effects that workers' compensation claims have on their businesses.