1.           IMMEDIATE NOTICE – Report claims within 24 hours of the injury.  Require employees to report incidents within that timeframe and report them to your insurer immediately – even if for Notice Only on medical only claims.  Statistics overwhelmingly confirm that claim costs are reduced if this step is followed.

 2.         DIRECT MEDICAL CARE – Utilize the established medical provider whenever possible. 

 3.         Document the injury –Require the employee to provide a detailed, written account of how the incident occurred, then have them sign and date it.  Also, have any eye-witnesses provide their own written accounts of the accident.  The quicker you gather the information, the better. 

 4.         Drug/Alcohol test at time of injury – Include a statement in your employee handbook requiring drug testing at a certified hospital/clinic at the time of injury.  In addition, to be effectively used as a defense:   a written program must be in place and your management team must participate annually in a formal drug testing awareness program. 

 5.          Return to Work Program – Bring employees back to work in whatever capacity they are able within their restrictions.  Employees feel valued if they are needed back at work (even doing other work) and they are able to keep in touch with their friends/co-workers.  Returning to work also reinforces good attendance and work habits.

 6.         RETRAINING – Prevent a recurrence of injuries by retraining employees on the correct way to perform tasks.  Use the information developed by the Formal Safety Committee.

 7.          COMMUNICATION – 3 Points of Contact

1. Communicate with the injured employee.  Stay in touch if they are NOT on light duty.  Have them come to work if at all possible.  Be able to see them at least once a week.
2. Communicate with the Medical Provider to make sure they understand the situation (availability of light duty, job requirements, etc) and to make sure appointments are kept.  Whenever possible, attend appointments with employees.
3. Communicate with the claims adjuster on a regular basis and involve Molyneaux staff at any time.  Severe injuries may have long Return to Work curves so it is important to keep posted on when they can return.   If needed call provider. 

Stay in touch with those who impact the results

For assistance with implementing any of these strategies, contact our sister company: