The moment an injury occurs, it launches a series of events that can last for weeks and even months. When it comes to Workers’ Comp injury reporting, the initial 24 hours are the most vital. To respond effectively to an incident, most of the action items must take place within 24 hrs.

Your managers have experience in taking care of injuries. Still, your managers need a clearly specified 24-hour injury reaction plan. This will help them offer even more efficient and regular responses. In addition, you can also be more sure that workers and supervisors recognize what to expect when somebody is injured. The strategy will certainly also provide the essential assistance when experienced supervisors are not immediately available to respond to an accident.

A Critical Period – The First 24 Hours

Wounded workers might really feel concerned about keeping their job, stressed over their wellness, and irritated or puzzled by company plans.

A rapid response strategy transforms a possibly adverse event right into a much more manageable situation for you and the staff member by addressing their issues up front, helping them obtain the treatment they need as well as decreasing case expenses.

Both organizations that collaborate with hurt staff members—such as the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons—as well as those that deal with risk management for companies—such as the Public Entity Risk Institute—agree that comprehensive and timely activity promotes the most effective end results for everyone involved. The lag in between when an injury takes place as well as the coverage of that injury has a considerable impact on both the time it takes to close the claim and the total cost of the claim.

A research study published by the Hartford Financial Services Group found the following:

• Claims reported throughout the second week after an occurrence had an average negotiation value that was 18% higher than that for insurance claims reported throughout the very first week.
• Waiting up until the 3rd or 4th week caused claim expenses to increase by 30%.
• Claims reported a month after the occurrence were normally 45% higher.
• According to the research, back injuries were particularly sensitive to delayed reporting; waiting just one week to report a back injury typically causes a 40% increase in the ultimate expense of the insurance claim.

Why It’s Common to Delay Reporting a Workers’ Comp Injury

The most typical factor for delayed reporting is that the injured party thinks the discomfort will go away. This produces problems. Why? Because most injuries that are not dealt with quickly take longer to recover. The 2nd most common reason for delayed reporting is a lack of employee training. About 97% of workers injured at work do not know what process to comply with; in a lot of cases, they will go to their own medical professional as opposed to reporting to their manager.

Less usual, however definitely widespread, is the belief that there will be an unfavorable response from a manager. This highlights the significance of manager training, creating a clear message concerning instant reporting, and keeping a positive work environment.

Delayed reporting often occurs over a non-injury concern. This can lead to a worker belatedly reporting a genuine or fabricated injury to settle some other grievance versus the company or manager. Cases of this nature are rarely settled quickly or cheaply.

Training as well as Communication

Time is so critical to this process. So, you must train all employees in advance. This allows them to know what to do and what their responsibilities are should an injury take place. For supervisors, training allows them to take a much more active role in facilitating the process for injured workers. Proper claim execution creates quicker coverage as well as better results.

Training prepares staff members to be aware of needed forms and the process of filing a claim. You need to assure staff members that you will treat them with care and compassion when filing a claim. During training, reinforce the idea that the goal is to get injured workers the treatment that is needed and get them back to work as quickly as possible.

To assist in a quick and seamless claim filing process, work with your broker to develop a step-by-step process for the first 24 hours after a workplace injury.

A Workers’ Comp Injury Requires Prompt Medical Treatment

Identify the type as well as seriousness of the injury; preferably, a team member trained in first aid can examine the severity of the injury and the appropriate action needed. Common injuries that lead to the most lost time and highest claims costs, such as sprains, stress, neck as well as back injuries should be a priority for prompt claim reporting. Have your carrier provide you with the MPN (Medical Provider Network) for your area. This is where you will send any injured worker for initial evaluation.

Prompt Reporting

After triaging the victim and supplying timely medical care, it’s crucial that the injury gets reported promptly. Timely reporting is one essential outcome of effective training as well as results in rapid return to work as well as lessened indemnity cases.

Expedited Return to Work

From the minute an injury is first treated, there should be considerations made as to when the worker will have the ability to return to his or her duties. Return to Work programs help to limit claim expenses. Whenever feasible, employers should facilitate a return-to-work policy to minimize indemnity payments, since even tiny indemnity repayments can have an adverse result on your insurance costs. To promote your Return-to-Work program, you need to do the following:

• Communicate to your staff that you respect their health as well as want them back on duty as soon as they are able.
• Give the injured employee forms to take to the physician. These forms permit the medical professional to render treatment.
• Follow up with the injured employee to see how the treatment is going. Together, you can create an appropriate Return to Work strategy.

Ask TPG Insurance Services how we can ease you from these stressful Workers’ Comp injury occurrences. We know you care about keeping your employees safe, but you also need to keep an eye on your liability. So, call 909.466.7876 now and get the help you need! Also, don’t forget to explore our Workers’ Comp content for reliable information on this important subject.