Important Tips to Avoid Workers’ Compensation Issues in the Workplace
Effectively managing workers’ compensation claims can help avoid potential issues during the process. Without having proper knowledge, you may have to deal with fraudulent claims that may negatively impact your business finances. On the other hand, you risk damaging the integrity of your business if you do not approve your employee’s legitimate claims.
Following are some tips that will assist you in managing workers’ compensation step by step.
Assess the Injury
One of the first things to know about workers’ compensation is how to assess different injuries. Look at a report of the workplace incident. If you delay acting, that will only make things more expensive in the long run. Once your employee suffers an injury, take immediate action. Dispatch a nurse immediately to check your employee’s injuries and speak with a supervisor or witnesses to collect information regarding what happened.
Gather Important Facts
Consult with your adjuster while reviewing the facts of the claim. Pay close attention to the language as that will help you figure out if this is a case of fraud or abuse. The goal is to make sure that your workers recover as quickly as possible. If your employee hires a personal injury lawyer, make sure that all the conditions in the claim are related to the workplace incident.
Investigate Potential Fraud
Your business should have protocols in place for evaluating fraudulent workers’ compensation claims. If an injury happens in the workplace, make sure that you adhere to the established policies and procedures. This reduces the risk of unnecessary claims. Common issues of fraud include employees seeking to claim benefits for injuries that happened outside of the workplace and exaggerated injuries to secure more compensation. If you detect fraud, report the issue as soon as possible.
Monitor Prescription Drugs
Workers’ compensation claims may be impacted by the type of medication prescribed to your employees. You can monitor the number of prescription drugs that your employee is using. If expensive drugs or narcotics are an issue regarding the claim, act before things get expensive.
Track the Recovery Process
Make sure that your employees are adhering to the necessary treatment methods outlined by the doctor. If your employees do not follow the recovery regimen, the injuries may become worse, which will cost you a lot of money in the long run. Have your supervisor track the progress of your injured employee every few weeks.
Ensure Smooth Transition Back to Work
Once your employee is cleared to come back to work, they will no longer be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. As a leader, it’s your job to ensure that your employee has a smooth transition back to the workforce. There may be some social issues initially as they come back, so try to make things comfortable for them.
Manage Expenses Post Claim
Explain to your employee the benefits of eliminating medication that isn’t going to help them feel better. This can reduce some of your expenses involving other claims.
Talk with an insurance expert at Remland Insurance to make sure all your insurance needs are covered. To get started, contact us today!
