CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Catastrophic Claims : Crisis Management in
Workers ’ Compensation
BY : LAURIE PARSONS , WCLA , FCLA , DIRECTOR OF CLAIM , A . I . M . MUTUAL
IT WAS a freak accident . With one misstep , a construction worker fell four stories out of a building onto the asphalt below . An air conditioning unit then toppled out of a window above , landing on him . The rest of the crew was nearby and witnessed the terrible accident .
Workplace accidents like these are considered catastrophic in workers ’ compensation claims , and they demand fast , specialized attention from our claim , medical , and injury prevention professionals . Thankfully , these claims aren ’ t the norm , but when they happen , the situation is often chaotic , overwhelming , and — sometimes — tragic . Employers are looking for help right away and in the days afterward . And the help needs to be responsive , prioritized , and expedited .
That ’ s what A . I . M . Mutual ’ s Catastrophic Injury Response team — our CAT team — does . When a traumatic incident happens at a policyholder job site , it often means single or multiple employee injuries . In the majority of cases , these injuries are among the most serious we see .
At A . I . M . Mutual , we have designated personnel — all trained workers ’ compensation specialists — prepared to assist employers under the most difficult of circumstances . Our heightened response makes all the difference in the aftermath of plant explosions , horrific falls , workplace violence , and other cases of workplace trauma .
Recently we welcomed a new partner to the CAT team : Riverside Trauma Center . Together with Best Doctors Occupational Health Institute ( BDOHI ), they work with employers to be sure all employees receive the medical care they need , including bystanders . Increasingly we ’ ve found that coworkers are profoundly affected by a traumatic event at work .
In the case noted earlier , the construction worker survived but still suffers from lasting injuries . From a claim perspective , the CAT team response was immediate , on the scene within 24 hours for an investigation , assisting the employer , and working with BDOHI to get the injured employee the best possible care . It ’ s a comprehensive approach few other carriers provide .
Still , we knew there were other injured parties to consider : the construction crew , who ’ d been traumatized by what had happened to their friend and colleague . Today we can help with that as well .
A . I . M . Mutual is uniquely structured with a regional claim staff — always on call — who can assess emergency situations and put an immediate plan in place . They are onsite quickly , joined by injury prevention staff and other members of the CAT team as needed . The CAT team understands these claims are complex and usually long in duration . Still , with a collective goal of a successful return to work — whenever possible — their expertise paves the way .
ABOUT LAURIE PARSONS
LAURIE PARSONS , WCLA , FCLA , is Director of Claim for A . I . M . Mutual . She has specialized in workers ’ compensation for 20 years and is licensed to handle claims in Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Connecticut , and Vermont .
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