Employees subjected to work-related illness and injuries are advised to file a worker’s compensation claim. It is the responsibility of an employer to review the state laws and comply with them. State laws set parameters regarding employee-required coverage, reporting, posting, and determining what is constituted in a worker’s compensation claim.
Below are the recommended steps to follow while administering a worker’s compensation claim.
Educate The Team
Legal organizations are required by the law to educate the legal team and supervisors regarding injury reporting requirements and worker compensation coverage. Employers have to create procedures and policies, include them in procedure manuals and employee handbooks, and post them on their websites. Employers have to develop and train supervisors on where, when, and how to report work-related illnesses and injuries.
Report Incidents To Appropriate Parties
The organization’s procedures and policies enable employees to report incidents to designated company representatives, usually a human resource manager or a safety committee member. The representative establishes whether the first aid is performed on the scene or if there is additional emergency care when a victim is at the health care facility. A severe injury is an exception as the employer is advised to take immediate actions to secure the worksite where the incident occurred.
Complete Injury Reports
The report requires the employee or employee’s assistance to complete the following information.
- Date of injury
- Place where the incident occurred
- The date that the worker received the form
- Date when the worker returns the form to the employer
A representative will share the employee claims and benefits available to the worker during the meeting. Items covered in this discussion include.
Injury Report
Make a report of occupational illnesses within the required time. It is advisable to make a move for a period not exceeding 48 hours. The time frame enables the employer to investigate the cause of the incident and take further safety measures to prevent other occurrences.
Physician Selection
Some state laws enable employers to initially select a physician designated to care for workers with work-related illnesses. The representative’s responsibility is to inform employees of various options for seeking medical attention.
Medical Expenses
Employees in health care facilities ask patients if the injuries are work-related. The representative has to share the victim’s contact details with the employer to send the medical bills to the right employee. Employees are advised to retain medical records received during medical visits.
File Injury Reports
The company has to file the incident report with The House of Workers Compensation carrier. Employers have to check with the carriers to establish proper methods of submitting a commentary. Some carriers prefer using a telephone system, while others prefer electronic submissions. Depending on the state laws, some employers have to submit the report to the worker’s compensation agency.
Maintain Contact With The Worker’s Compensation Carrier
Companies must stay in close contact with the carrier on the worker’s claim. The employer may be required to present medical documentation to the employee’s compensation carrier. Such documents include the employee’s return to work status, number of lost workdays, and salary continuation to establish wage replacement benefits.
Stay In Contact With The Employee
The representative’s responsibility is to inform the victim about when to expect a call from the workers’ compensation carrier. The representative has to establish a regular follow-up schedule regarding the worker’s progress by mobile phone or email to equip the employee with a piece of mind while recovering.
Establish A Timeline For Returning To Work
It is imperative to establish a timeline for the worker’s return to work. A representative must determine potential restrictions that require accommodation and prove whether the employer will handle the employee’s needs. Employers must establish policies that dictate how leave interacts with employee compensation.
Return The Employee To Work
Employers should focus on returning the worker after recovering from injuries. Employee needs have to be considered, and worker’s compensation carriers assist workers with a return to work program. An employee’s return to work has to include a doctor to enable the worker to return to light duties that are less mentally and physically demanding.
The worker’s compensation act ensures that workers receive adequate support through income support and injury management to return to work. It works hand in hand with the health and safety legislative framework to minimize costs of work-related injuries by improving health and safety management in the workplace.
