Workers compensation insurance, whether it is a legally required type of insurance or one that your business selects because of its financial benefits, is can be an important financial protection. This type of plan can offer financial protection for your business to cover the losses of your employees if they become ill or are injured on the job. With medical costs rising, this type of financial net can be very valuable for any type of business. However, to make the most out of it, your employees need to know how to handle a potential claim.

When Someone is Hurt

If an employee approaches management with a concern about a potential illness or injury that stems directly from their job tasks, it is important to take action at that time. Business owners or management is responsible for reacting quickly. This may mean calling for immediate medical care or it may be just documenting what occurred. Once the immediate urgency of the situation is past, it is then the responsibility of the management team or owner to contact the workers compensation insurance company to file a claim.

There are a few things to keep in mind with this business insurance:

• Even if the injury is very minor and does not require medical attention, it should be documented. The details of the event including what happened, when it happened and how must be documented in writing. Employees should sign that they understand they can obtain medical care for their injury.
• Employees must be able to provide information to the employee about where they can seek medical care. Be sure to have emergency room numbers and locations available for easy access.
• Management needs to fully document the incident for workers compensation insurance providers. This includes documenting any evidence of the injury or illness such as gathering witness statements, pulling surveillance cameras and documenting anything the employee said or did.

It is then necessary for the insurer to be notified of the incident if it resulted in the employee seeking medical attention. Even if employees have health insurance, if the incident happened on the job, your workers compensation insurance must learn of the incident and document it. By working hand-in-hand with your insurer, you can learn how to reduce claims, how to document them properly and how to file that claim accurately.

Need more information? Call Tanenbaum Harber Insurance Group at (954) 883-2900 for more information on workers compensation insurance.