CLAIM REPORTING
THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON YOUR CLIENT ’ S CLAIM REPORTING
BY : MARK LYNCH , SENIOR REGIONAL CLAIM SPECIALIST & CLAIM TECHNICAL ANALYST , A . I . M . MUTUAL
Mark Lynch
Mark Lynch began his claim career in 1984 and has specialized in workers compensation since 1989 . He has held supervisory as well as field positions and is currently Senior Regional Claim Specialist & Claim Technical Analyst for A . I . M . Mutual . Mark is licensed in MA , NH and VT and has extensive experience investigating and handling serious accidents and fatalities .
WORKERS ’ compensation laws vary from state to state , but employers everywhere are interested in the same thing : controlling their costs and getting the best service for their premium dollars . Employers play a critical role in getting the ball rolling in both areas with the prompt submission of the initial report of injury .
In order to promptly submit the initial report , it is necessary for employers to create a culture that encourages injury reporting . Employees , supervisors , and managers all need to understand why expedient claim reporting is so important . Here are five top reasons : 1 . Your Employee ’ s Health
Delays in reporting can mean delays in diagnosis and treatment . That often results in a prolonged recovery time , impacting when ( and if ) an employee can return to work . A . I . M . Mutual may also lose the opportunity to help with initial treatment options . We can recommend an approved occupational health center , for instance , and provide valuable medical management and patient advocacy . It can make all the difference . 2 . It Matters . To Everyone
If you take the full amount of time allowed by statute before notifying us , your injured worker may wait as long as 30 days before receiving a check . Remember , we need time on our end to investigate the claim and issue payment . Any delays cause anxiety for the injured worker , jeopardizing the trust and engagement needed for a faster , more successful return to work .
We also see a direct correlation between delayed claim reporting and attorney involvement . Sometimes injured workers seek legal advice out of a sense of frustration early in the process .
Consider , too , that co-workers care a great deal about how you treat an employee injured on the job . And if coworkers are assuming the extra workload , it ’ s always best to facilitate a return-to-work plan as soon as possible . Nothing can happen without your First Report .
3 . We Can Do Our Job It wasn ’ t work related . Or was it ? All too often , employers wrestle with uncertainty in workers ’ compensation claims . Never wait ! Let us determine whether the injury occurred on the job or if it ’ s a lost-time case . It ’ s what we do . And hoping a claim will go away on its own is never a good strategy . 4 . The Investigation Isn ’ t Compromised
Waiting can mean memory lapses among witnesses or workplace evidence vanishing . Our ability to determine compensability can be hampered if critical information is forgotten or destroyed . In fact , whenever possible , use your smartphone to take a few photos of the accident area right after the injury happens . Forward those photos to us to help with the claim investigation . Report a claim — whether major or minor — within 24 hours . 5 . Time Equals Money
You may be subject to state fines and , in some cases , OSHA reporting violations if you miss claim filing deadlines . In addition , an injured worker is far more inclined to keep the communication channels open if the process goes quickly from the outset . Your involvement is the key to making an injured worker feel valued and needed back at work .
Reporting all claims quickly helps us investigate workplace accidents promptly and determine the root cause . We can then make safety and health recommendations for you to consider . These injury prevention measures help you avoid similar workplace accidents in the future , keep costs down , and effectively manage your workers ’ compensation insurance program .
Ultimately , reporting claims promptly gets initial and ongoing treatment under way sooner , helping to limit the time an employee spends out of work and increasing the likelihood of a successful return to work .
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