One of the most popular buzz words in today’s economic marketplace is “teamwork.”  Just as this business skill is prized in your employees, you will discover that it is a skill that can work to your advantage in the event that an employee is injured on the job.  The key team players are you (the employer), our Human Resources Department, the healthcare provider, the insurance carrier, and of course, the injured employee.

Team assignment #1: Respond Promptly
Working together, you can engineer a win-win situation that will help your employee heal sooner and reduce the costs associated with the injury.   Get prompt medical attention.   “. . .Intervention is much more cost effective than medical cost containment,” writes Stephan R. Bruce, senior vice president of CNA Risk Management.   Don’t attempt to cut costs by waiting a day or two to see if the pain will “just go away.”  Poor or delayed medical care may save you in the short run, but long term costs include lost productivity, decreased employee morale, and potential litigation. 

Team assignment #2: Have a “Return-to-Work” Plan
Our Human Resources Department is the team leader for this assignment.  In a nutshell, a Return-to-Work (RTW) program offers an injured employee the opportunity to go back to work in a modified or light-duty position until he or she fully recovers.

Conclusion:
Keeping up with the intricacies of a Workers’ Compensation claim can be daunting.  Your best bet is to use all of your resources.  Helping you manage workers’ comp. claims, implementing safety programs, and assisting your company with a Return to Work program are just a few of the benefits you are buying when you enroll with a PEO.

Source: Bruce, Stephan R.  “Four Steps for Closing Workers’ Comp Claims Quickly,” The PEO Insider.