When one of your employees is injured, it’s important to act fast to treat the injury and file a workers’ compensation claim.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, sets the standards that employers are expected to follow to ensure workplace safety. However, employers should also know what to do when safety measures fail and an employee is injured at work.
The more prepared a business is, the less likely it is that a work injury will prove costly. There are four main steps that can help business owners plan ahead.
The first step in protecting employees is being prepared for a possible workplace accident. A quick response can not only reduce the severity of a workplace injury, but also how much the injury ends up costing the business.
Business owners should plan ahead by developing risk and response plans to minimize hazards and prevent work injuries. This includes:
The best way for employers to handle a potential injury at work is to minimize risk, but be prepared for the worst.
As soon as an accident or injury happens, business owners should follow these steps:
In the minutes following an injury, the difference between preparedness and panic is huge. Keeping a cool head after a worker is injured on the job can help minimize the severity of injury for the employee and protect the business owner from additional liability.
If an employee is injured at work, the employer should work with the employee to file a workers' comp claim with the company’s insurance provider.
It's in a business owner’s best interest to maintain open communication between the injured employee, the doctor, the claims adjustor, and the insurance agent. This can help speed up the claims process, which allows the employee to receive the funds needed to pay for treatment.
Employers should consider creating written documents in advance that outline the workers' comp process and return-to-work policies for the business. Providing these immediately to new employees is a good way to build trust and lower claims costs.
If an injured employee sues, the employer should still try to keep the lines of communication open. The longer a litigated claim lasts, the more expensive it tends to become. Employers should share all relevant information with attorneys and claims adjusters, including any documentation. Settling a claim early can prevent a much costlier, drawn-out lawsuit.
The employer's liability insurance included in most workers' comp policies will help pay your legal fees and other costs.
Ideally, a workers’ comp claim can be settled without litigation. And by following some basic safety precautions, business owners should be able to avoid the need to file a workers’ comp claim in the first place.
Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to compare workers' compensation insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. companies. Once you find the right policy for your small business, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.