As employers, safeguarding employees and providing the proper safety equipment are top priorities. However, accidents can happen. Regardless of the industry, it’s important for all employers to follow proper protocols to ensure optimal health and well-being of employees. In addition to the following requirements, consider utilizing a Nurse Triage service to better solve your workers’ compensation needs and reduce reported claims by up to 20 percent.
Report the injury.
First and foremost, report the injury to your workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Even if the injury does not seem serious, employers cannot prohibit employees from seeking medical attention or avoid reporting the claim.
Cooperate with your insurance provider.
You are responsible for cooperating with your workers’ compensation carrier, and their attorneys, in investigating the matter; it is likely that these parties will need documentation from you of the injured employee’s payroll history and they may request a copy of the injured employee’s personnel file, says Find Law. The more you cooperate, the more efficient the process will be. Remember, time is money and getting an injured employee back to work will only protect your bottom line.
Welcome the employee back to work.
If the employee suffers an injury that requires time away from the workplace, it is your responsibility as an employer to follow up with their medical diagnosis, their progress, and their treatment. Once they are physically capable of returning, you must welcome them back to work. Bear in mind that any retaliation against an injured employee, including discrimination or unlawful termination, will likely result in civil litigation.
Curb fraud.
Employees are not the only ones who commit workers’ compensation fraud. It is illegal for employers to refrain from reporting the injury in hopes of reducing workers’ compensation premium costs, especially since the injured employee will soon find out why they are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled.
At Company Nurse, we help employers in addressing work injuries immediately. We provide medical expertise at the point of injury, so injured employees are channeled to the most appropriate level of care by qualified and trained nurses. If an injury is identified, we will report it to everyone on the distribution list in order for them to do their respective jobs efficiently. For more information on how you can experience a 20 percent reduction in reported claims, and a total claims cost savings of up to 30 percent, contact us today at (855) 488-5337.