CLAIMS/LOSS PREVENTION Loss prevention can be defined as our application of good work practices to the reduction of accidents and injuries. Good loss prevention programs do not just happen, they are the result of the actions of people like you. How is a good loss prevention program of benefit to the Lodge or Family Center operation? Basically, a good loss prevention program is an effective way of recognizing, evaluating and controlling potential hazards in the lodge. No one wants to see a member or employee injured due to an accident and we especially do not want a lodge to be closed due to an expense of an accident. The fact is we have the responsibility and ability to make a difference. It is the combination of everyone s individual efforts that make that difference. Only through the day-to-day efforts of the Administrator, Board members, Staff, Members and Guests can we demonstrate continuous accident prevent or CAPS at the lodge. By doing, so we will promote an efficient, cost effective operation. Potential areas of loss are often identified by performing selfinspections; asking for employee and member input (such as interviews, suggestions and complaints); the prompt investigating of accidents; reviewing past performances; and using the material provided by Moose International, the C A P program guide and the materials distributed by Jim, our CAP chairman. Typical examples of hazards found around the lodges and Family Centers are: 1) Slips, trips and falls 2) Electrical hazards 3) Improper lifting 4) Irresponsible alcoholic beverage service; and 5) Unsafe equipment operation The lodge safety checklist is of special importance because it can help you identify the most common hazards that are generally found in the Lodge or Family Center operations. Feel free to customize this list so that it will fit any special need of your program. The checklist should be used at least quarterly and should be submitted to the Claims/Loss prevention Department at Moose International every April and October first. The annual lodge insurance report should be submitted not later then April first of every year. 1
The Lodge or Family Center CAP Chairperson is responsible for the Lodge loss prevention program. He should make information available so that all members and employees are aware of the program. Eliminating accidents and injuries at the lodge depends on the attitudes and actions of the Lodge Administrator, staff, members and guests. ALWAYS THINK SAFETY FIRST! The Lodges of the Illinois Moose Association had a total of 26 claims filed against them in six different categories. 17 of these claims are still open. There were 18 claims in the slip, trips and falls category resulting in reserved or paid payments of $98,799.76. During a 3 week period during January and February there were three claims totaling $16,372.00 that was directly related to slips and falls on ice. How easy would it have been to prevent these type of falls with a little salt. There were four claims in the alleged negligent act category with a reserved or paid total of $5,338.95. There was one claim in the struck by a falling object category with an open claim for $1000.00. This was a case of roofing shingles falling onto a car. There was one claim in the deaths category resulting in a payment of $8.00. This was a case where a member expired at a lodge. To protect itself, the Lodge diligently called it in to Loss Prevention. Because the death was of natural causes, nothing more came about it and the only expense was the $8.00 filing fee. There was one Claim, still open, in the Vehicle Miscellaneous category with a reserved payment for $2,500.00. This was a motorcycle accident that occurred when the member was leaving the lodge drive. Lastly, there was one claim in the employee practices category that is still open with a reserved sum of $35,000.00. This is a claim were an employee is looking for back wages. All claims filed against Illinois Lodges in 2008, either paid or in reserve, were $142,646.71 or almost $5,500.00 per claim. THE GOOD NEWS THERE WAS NO LIQUOR LIABILITY CLAIMS IN ILLINOIS DURING 2008. No matter how trivial it may seem, every accident that occurs at the lodge must be reported ASAP. Even when you did not see the incident or accident but rather heard that one occurred, you are required to investigate the incident and establish the facts. Your responsibility is fact finding, not fault finding. 2
Remember the six W s; 1) Who 2) What 3) Where 4) When 5) Why 6) Witnesses The lodge administrator or another appropriate representative should notify the Claims Loss Prevention Department at Moose International using the toll free number 1-800-544-4407 during the business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The bottom line remains that we all pay the cost when accidents are not promptly reported. Calling it in does not make it a claim. It is important that we all work together to manage every claim in a timely and cost effective way. Remember always ask yourself, What If? What if I had done this; would the accident or incident have occurred? All accidents have a cause. They don t Just Happen. Let s start eliminating the causes of losses and begin eliminating the accidents which occur within our lodges. I.M.A CAPS Chairman Jim McCue Deputy Regional Manager Mike Pelling 3
THE FOLLOWING IS ATTACHED FOR REFERENCE ONLY Closed Total Reserved Date of Loss Cause Or Open and Paid 1/19/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Inside Premises C $116.00 1/31/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Ice/Snow O $10,000.00 2/10/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Ice/Snow C $4,563.00 2/18/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Ice/Snow C $1,089.14 2/23/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Outside Premises O $5,000.00 2/27/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Stool/Chair/Object C $4,332.62 3/21/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Dance Floor O $35,000.00 3/27/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level O $5,008.00 4/9/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level C $455.00 5/31/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level O $5,008.00 6/3/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Elevated Surfaces C $8.00 7/11/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Inside Store C $1,820.00 9/8/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Elevated Surfaces O $7,508.00 9/21/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level O $2,508.00 10/28/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level O $3,000.00 11/14/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Pits/Shafts/Holes O $1,000.00 12/8/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level O $2,500.00 12/14/2008 Slip/Trip/Fall - Same Level ` $10,000.00 4
TOTAL SLIP/TRIP/FALL $98,799.76 Closed Total Reserved Date of Loss Cause Or Open and Paid 1/1/2008 Alleged Negligent Act - Laceration/Open Wound C $822.95 8/22/2008 Alleged Negligent Act - Dance Floor O $3,008.00 9/22/2008 Alleged Negligent Act - Physical Altercation O $508.00 11/10/2008 Alleged Negligent Act - Hit Ribs on Table O $1,000.00 TOTAL ALLEGED NEGLIGENT ACT $5,338.95 5/11/2008 Vehicle Struck by Falling Object - Wind Storm O $1,000.00 TOTAL STRUCK BY FALLING OBJECT $1,000.00 5/17/2008 Death - Cause Unknown C $8.00 TOTAL DEATHS $8.00 12/28/2008 Vehicle Miscellaneous - Motorcycle Accident O $2,500.00 12 feet from Lodge Driveway TOTAL VEHICLE MISCELLANEOUS $2,500.00 10/17/2008 Employment Practices - Wages O $35,000.00 TOTAL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES $35,000.00 5
TOTAL OF ALL CATAGORIES $142,646.71 (26 Claims) This report does not include unreported claims or open claims from previous years. 6