How To Implement An Prompt Response Program For Your Workers Compensation Clams – Strategy 1
Require Immediate Reporting Of The Worker Injury By The Injured Employee
Prompt reporting of the worker compensation claim by the injured employee is the first step in providing prompt, quality and compassionate medical care. Your organization should have a written and communicated policy that clearly states that the injured employee must report any and all injuries or illnesses to his or her Supervisor immediately. This means not going home and seeing if they feel better the next day, but immediately. The written company policy should clearly state that the injured employee must report their injury to their Supervisor or Human Resource Department, or anyone else in management they feel comfortable telling. Any violation of this policy will result in a written safety warning and disciplinary action be initiated per claim management policy. This policy is not designed to threaten the employee. Instead, it is to begin the process of providing prompt, quality medical care and making sure that workers compensation benefits are paid promptly in accordance with state workers compensation law. Such a delay may also be an early warning of potential employee fraud.
Once the Supervisor is made aware of the injury or illness they should immediately contact the Claim Coordinator and Safety Director so that your Prompt Injury Response Program can begin. This initial notification can take any form - a phone call or bringing the injured employee to the Claim Coordinator. The key is that the employee provides immediate notification of their injury or illness and that the Claim Coordinator be made aware of the event. This is a critical first step and all other actions depend upon the prompt notification and injury response.
As is the case with most employee injuries, other employees in the department or surrounding area will be affected. As is naturally the case, it is very upsetting to see someone get hurt. Supervisors should take the time to settle these employees down and to make sure they are OK. Once this is accomplished the Supervisor should begin the formal investigation of the incident.
By the organization’s prompt and fair handling of the situation it is demonstrating its genuine concern for the safety and welfare of the employees. In this way departmental employees will look up to their Supervisors and claim management team as people who take decisive action that is in their best interest and whose first concern is their health and safety. Departmental employees will take to take pride in working for someone who shows genuine concern for them.
CompEraser comes with on-line, on-demand resources needed to design and implement an effective PROMPT INJURY RESPONSE system, including this important step in the process. Resources also include the formalization of your safety team, injury prevention, OSHA compliance, 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.
