Consistency Is The Key Workers Compensation Claim Management
Every activity related to the administration and management of a worker injury should be performed in a consistent manner. If this is not done at least two outcomes may result, and both are bad:
§ Employees will view the workers compensation claim management process to be unfair, unreliable and threatening. As a result, they will be hesitant to participate in the accident investigation process, perform their role in the Prompt Injury Response and Temporary Return To Work Programs, and may retain an attorney.
§ Actions on the part of the organization, as well as individual members of the claim management team, may be deemed discriminatory. Also, there are potentially severe fines and civil penalties associated with this discrimination.
The following are proven methods that your claim management team should use consistently in accordance with its claim management policies and in strict compliance with state and federal employment laws:
1. A Prompt Injury Response Program designed to be delivered consistently every time an employee is injured on the job. While the nature of virtually every injury is different, the way in which the claim management team responds to it should be the same. This program should provide a prompt injury response “track” that designed to put the entire claim management team in motion so that the employee receives prompt, quality medical care, the “root cause” of the injury is determined, compensability is established, the claim adjuster is promptly notified and, if needed, initial steps are taken to initiate the Temporary Return To Work Program.
2. A Temporary Return To Work Program designed identify possible temporary duty jobs, obtain formal approval from the treating physician that these jobs match the injured employees physician limitations, and formally offer these jobs. All must be done in strict compliance with the American With Disabilities Act (ADA). Temporary Return To Work Programs are an essential component in a successful workers compensation claim management program.
The Resource Library within the CompEraser system is loaded with all the tools, forms and checklists you must have to consistently implement Prompt Injury Response and Temporary Return To Work Programs. Resources also include the formalization of your safety team, injury prevention, safety training, workers compensation disability management, plus more. These resources are available 24/7 and used irrespective of which workers compensation carrier you select. Its patent-pending technology also provides unique financial reports for monitoring the effectiveness of your safety and health program on an on-going basis. For more information visit our website at www.CompEraser.com.
