WORKERS COMPENSATION THE BUCK STOPS HERE

Transcription

1 WORKERS COMPENSATION THE BUCK STOPS HERE In its infancy, workers compensation was intended to provide medical attention to an employee that was legitimately injured while in the performance of fhi his/her job bfunctions. Throughout the years there has been an ever increasing concern in regards to workers compensation fraud and the judicial systems liberal actions taken against motor carriers. In today s market it is important t that t we as carriers prepare ourselves before the applicant is hired and throughout his/her employment. As Risk Management professionals our proactive policy s can mean the difference in success or loss.

2 FIRST REPORT OF INJURY In the event of an injury it is imperative that the carriers have thoroughly hl trained their front line supervision i in first response. Each carrier should possess a first report of injury form which should be filled out in its entirety. Associates that are not incapacitated should be instructed not only complete the form but should also show their supervisor if possible how the incident occurred. Once again if the associate is not incapacitated and medical attention is required he/she should be instructed t that t once their treatment t t is complete they will be required to return to the facility for instruction and an interview with the Director/V.P. of Risk Management.

3 LIGHT DUTY OR TRANSITIONAL ASSIGNMENT Upon receiving information from the treating physician that the injured associate has received a release to return to the work force under a light duty restriction, it is imperative that the carrier return the associate back into the work force. Carrier s should place the associate into a position that follows the guidelines implemented by the treating physician without exception. Many studies have shown that the quicker the associate returns to the workplace in any manner will hasten his/her return to full duty.

4 MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER SELECTION The importance of selecting a medical review officer initiates the proactive response a carrier projects. Interviews should be made with several physicians and your core policies discussed. The carrier should listen intently to the responses of the physicians and make a determination based on his replies whether or not he will adhere to the carrier s safety culture. A through examination of the medical facility should be preformed to insure that all aspects of the carrier s requirements can be met. Un-announced inspections should also be performed by an officer of the carrier to insure that the standards that have been set forth are followed. The medical review officer should understand and accept that these inspections will be held without any resistance from the medical review officer or their staff.

5 FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EXAMINATION Also, of great importance is the use of a functional capacity examination. This test will exclude applicants that cannot perform the physical requirements of their day to day duties. The test should be accurate within their job descriptions and administered in a consistent manner.

6 POST OFFER/MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER QUESTIONNAIRE Upon completion of both the physical capacity evaluation and the D.O.T. Physical the employee may now be brought into the carrier s facility and requested that he/she fill out a post offer/ medical review officer questionnaire. The questions associated within the post offer questionnaire are detailed and concise. Upon completion of the questionnaire the Director or V.P. of Risk Management will be requested to examine each post offer and to interview each applicant that has listed areas of concerns. Once the interview is concluded the applicant should be directed to a waiting area while a decision on his employment is made.