Accidents happen. This is especially true on most job sites, which is why workers' compensation insurance exists. Unfortunately, if you don’t know exactly how to respond when the situation arises, the filing process can be confusing. For this reason, we’ve created a workers' compensation guide to help explain what you should do when an employee is injured on the job.
The Most Important Thing to Remember
We understand that when accidents happen things can be chaotic. Amid all of the chaos, it is vital that you report injuries on the job, even those that appear to be minor, immediately. Even if your employee did not visit the emergency room or even go see their doctor, the event needs to be recorded while it is fresh so any and all details can be relayed accurately.
Steps to Take
In order to make the process go as smoothly as possible for all parties, there are certain steps you must take when accidents or injuries occur. It is important to follow these steps so your employees can get compensation for their medical bills and lost wages promptly.
- Instruct employees to report injuries immediately.
- Encourage employees to seek appropriate medical care when injuries occur.
- Serious injuries should warrant emergency room, hospital, or physician care.
- Smaller injuries requiring medical care may warrant urgent care or occupational health facility visits.
- Send all of the information to your insurance executive promptly. This allows your Arnold Insurance executive to start a case file with the correct carrier so the claim can be filed quickly.
Once the claim is filed, a representative from the carrier should reach out to you and your employee to verify they have the correct information.
General Safety Tips
While there is no safety protocol on the planet that can prevent all accidents, there are some general safety tips that will help employers, like you, avoid some accidents along the way. Here are some things you can implement right away in your business:
- Post safety signs, stickers, and tags. Then make sure all your employees follow them.
- Keep the workplace clean and clear of liquids, clutter, and debris to avoid falls or slips.
- Involve your employees in safety planning for your organization. Invite their input and you can benefit from their insights. Allow them opportunities to make suggestions and take the opportunity to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to safety.
These simple safety tips aren’t all that complex, but they can go a long way toward reducing your risks and your need to file workers' compensation insurance claims.
Final Thoughts
It is always best to know exactly what you need to do when an employee gets hurt on the job. Knowing what to do means you can act quickly to resolve the issue. If you have questions about workers' compensation and your policy, please reach out to your Arnold Insurance executive.
Our job is to protect you, your business, and your employees!
