Worker Comp Injury

by Chris Robinson

When an employee is injured or becomes ill at work, you, as the employer, should perform the following steps: 

1. Render first aid.  Always have a first aid kit available.

2. If injury or illness is severe, obtain emergency medical care for the employee immediately.

3. If injury or illness is not severe, suggest to the employee that they obtain treatment.  Allow employee time off to seek medical care.  Do not allow employee to aggravate injury.  If necessary, order employee home.  Obtain transportation for the employee home if injury or illness prevents them from driving. 

4. Gather all pertinent facts about the employee’s work-related illness or injury.  Record this information on a “workers’ compensation first report of injury or illness.”  This form is available from your insurance carrier.  Some states have “state specific questions” that must be answered.  Your insurance company can provide a list of questions for your state.

5. Report the employee’s work-related illness or injury to the insurance carrier promptly.  Most insurance companies will have a toll-free number for reporting.  The company’s representative will provide a claims reference number.  Retain this claims number and provide it to the employee.  The employee will provide this claims number to the medical provider for payment purposes.
   
    

By following these 5 steps, you can help reduce your workers’ compensation claim costs, which, in the long run, will save you money on your workers’ compensation premiums.