Best Workers' Comp Communication Tips

Getting hurt on the job can be annoying at best, and fatal at worst. Workers’ compensation takes care of the medical and liability costs involved in the event of a work-related injury. But workers’ compensation claims can become a tedious and painful process for all parties involved - especially if there are any communication gaps. Keeping everyone in the loop, from employees and supervisors to medical providers, will help you and your nonprofit organization:

• Reduce claims-related costs

• Close claims that no longer need to be open

• Understand the right kind of care an injured or ill employee may need

• Help employees get back to work sooner

• Minimize the chances of court proceedings, trials, and other litigation

Every relationship benefits from open communication. Here are the best ways to keep the lines open with employees, supervisors, and medical providers:

1. Communicate with staff from the get-go. Don’t leave the talking for the last minute - the most effective method to build an open and trusting relationship with your team is to foster open and transparent communication for their very first day on the job. Make sure to discuss not only their job requirements and training, but also their benefits, financial protections, and healthcare options.

2. Equip supervisors to reduce workers’ compensation claims. This doesn’t mean preventing claims from reaching upper management - supervisors can limit the risk of illness and injury on the job by ensuring job tasks are explained thoroughly enough to be done as safely as possible by competent employees. This results in fewer accidents, better performance, and fewer workers’ compensation claims.

3. Keep in touch with injured employees’ medical providers. Even before treatment begins, open up the channels of communication with the healthcare providers looking after your wounded workers. This will not only help you figure out with the medical provider the treatment parameters and expenses, but will give you a chance to discuss the best back-to-work practices for the injured employee (like how long they actually need to stay home or what they can or cannot do after treatment).

Workers’ compensation doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. With a good system of communication with all involved parties, your organization can make sure your team gets the best quality of care without the stress, high costs, and fraud that usually occur in the claims process.

Contact Carriage Trade to find out more about workers’ compensation and other types of insurance for your nonprofit organization.