Search this Site

Search Term Submit Search

Browse Topics

• COSE Education Programs
  • Member Education Series
  • SBC 2008
  • SBC 2009
  • SBC 2010
• COSE Business Networks
  • COSE Arts Network
  • COSE Home Business Network
  • NEOSA- The COSE Technology Network
• Finance
  • Access to Capital
  • Business Financial Planning
  • Financing Solutions
  • Investment Management
  • Receivables Management
  • Tracking Business Finances
  • Wealth Planning
• Human Resources
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Creating a Positive Culture
  • Diversity Awareness and Education
  • Employee Development
  • Leadership Skills in Employees
  • Recruitment and Safe Hiring Practices
  • Termination of Employees
  • Workers' Compensation
• Legal
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights
  • Building and Maintaining Your Legal Infrastructure
  • Intellectual Property
  • Liabilities Within the WorkForce
• Marketing
  • Branding
  • Customer Retention
  • E-Marketing Tips and Trends
  • Lead Generation
  • Marketing 101
  • Marketing Plans
  • Public Relations
  • Search Engine Marketing
  • Social Media
• Personal and Professional Development
  • Goals: Setting and Achievement
  • Personal Evolution
  • Professional Advancement
• Sales & Networking
  • Customer Service
  • Networking Strategies
  • Prospecting
  • Relationship Selling Strategies
  • SME Cleveland
• Small Business Advocacy
  • COSE Advocacy Information
  • Health Care Reform
• Small Business Tools
  • A Checklist of Tools for Business
  • Business Insurance
  • Buying and Selling a Business
  • Crisis Communications
  • Growth Strategies
  • Investing in a Franchise
  • Owning a Franchise
  • Peer Advisory Groups
  • Strategic Planning and Execution
  • Succession Planning
• Sustainability
  • Energy
  • Greening Your Business
  • Waste Reduction, Recycling and Composting
• Technology
  • Business Software and Applications
  • Business Technology
  • Developing and Implementing a Website
  • Disasters: Prepare & Recover
  • Document Management Software
  • Innovation in Technology
  • SEO
  • Telecommunications
• Wellness in the Workplace
  • Healthy Lifestyles

• Mindspring
• Topics
• Human Resources
• Workers Compensation
• Ive Fallen and I Cant Get Up What To Do When an Injury Occurs in Your Workplace

Ive Fallen and I Cant Get Up What To Do When an Injury Occurs in Your Workplace

written on April 02, 2009 by COSEWorkersCompensation contributor

Many issues need to be addressed when an employee is injured, including who to call and when.  Obviously, 911 is first, in emergency or life threatening situations.  With minor injuries such as abrasions, lacerations, and bruises a visit to the ER or health clinic maybe  all that's necessary. 

There are other injuries that should be immediately reported to your MCO and your TPA (COSE Compensation Services).  You should contact us as soon as possible in the event of a work related death or for any serious injuries such as head injuries, amputations, multiple fractures, repetitive motion injuries, etc. so that we can be involved in management of the claim from the start. 

Additionally, it is in your best interest to make us aware of injuries to the back (neck, mid-back and lower back), knees, and shoulders as these are the types of injuries that often require more care and result in higher claim costs.  Always contact your account manager if you question the validity of the claim, or have knowledge of a history of similar conditions for the injured worker. 

It's important to obtain witness statements and keep detailed documentation from the onset of a claim.  You may also want to photograph an accident scene as soon as possible after the injury occurs in order to document the scene as it was at the time of the injury. 

We put together the following step-by-step guidelines which you may find helpful.  For further assistance, contact your COSE Account Manager.

SOMEONE WAS HURT ON THE JOB; NOW WHAT?

AT THE TIME OF INJURY:

TO DO IMMEDIATELY:

• Call 911 if necessary
• Provide emergency first aid if necessary
• If 911 is not needed, transport injured worker to hospital/clinic/urgent care
• Gather names of witnesses and secure statements - hand-written by witnesses, if possible, and signed and dated. This should be done immediately after the incident.

TO THE INJURED WORKER:

• If possible, have the injured worker immediately complete an incident report, sign a medical release, and complete a FROI.  The incident report should be completed in ink by the injured worker, signed, and dated.  This should include a detailed explanation of their accident (how it happened, where it happened, witnesses)

WHO TO NOTIFY:

• Spouse or significant other of injured worker, if necessary­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
• MCO _______________________at ___________________ (MCO name and phone number)
• TPA COSE Compensation Services at (216) 592-2270 ­­­
• ESS ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________ at _________________
• OTHER:__________________________________________

GOING FORWARD - FIRST FEW DAYS/WEEKS:

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Release to work or documentation of disability from medical provider
• Follow up appointment information
• Call from BWC regarding incident and asking if you certify the claim.  If you are not sure, do not agree to certification of the claim, or payment of compensation; call your TPA.

 ON-GOING:

• Updated medical from MCO and questions regarding light duty work; contact from the  BWC regarding wage continuation in lieu of payment of Temporary Total.
• Correspondence from BWC - do not ignore this!
• Hearing notices - it is important for the employer to attend hearings, if at all possible - do not disregard any correspondence from the Industrial Commission!
• Call your TPA with any questions or concerns and stay in contact for updates on the claim.

 

Submitted by Patricia Ryba, COSE Compensation Services 216-592-2494 pryba@cose.org