Here are some helpful tips for businesses to consider in regard to workers’ compensation.
DO …
- Purchase workers’ compensation insurance and make sure premiums are paid on time
- Display a workers’ compensation poster with pertinent information
- Prepare ahead of time just in case an injury is reported, and communicate injury reporting procedures to all employees
- Report an injury immediately to your supervisor (and Tilson if you are a client) and provide a copy of the report to the employee
- File First Reports of Injury properly
- Send affected employees for medical treatment as soon as possible after an injury
- Identify witnesses to the accident (names and phone numbers)
- Encourage the employee to give the doctor a complete and accurate history, keep all physical therapy and/or doctor’s appointments, and follow the treatment plan
- Stay in touch with the employee after the injury
- Plan ahead for return-to-work strategies and accommodate the employee if he/she has restrictions
- Make safety a priority by posting appropriate safety procedures and precautions
DON’T…
- Refuse to file a claim even if you doubt the validity
- Ask the employee to fill out the First Report of Injury
- Wait for the medical report before filing the claim with your insurer
- Forget to put safety first
- Provide any false or misleading information to your insurance carrier
- Ignore requests for information from the insurer
The best way to avoid workers’ compensation problems is to avoid as many injuries as possible.
