Claims Management Techniques in Workers' Compensation Cases

• Overview

Dealing with a workers' compensation claim is never easy - find out how to effectively work through a claim and avoid issues that can arise.

The aftermath of a workplace accident produces difficult and costly ramifications for management personnel in all business and industries. Many parties are involved in every aspect of a claim, including your insurance carrier or servicing agent and counsel, but each of them has to be dealt with in a very different manner. Learn how to successfully investigate an accident and use this information to communicate with these parties, as well as gain the necessary tools to effectively address the numerous and complex issues that arise after an on-the-job injury.

Authors

Zachary M. Rubinich, Rawle & Henderson, LLP Richard K. Tavani, Esq., Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP

Agenda

Accident Investigation

• What Constitutes Notice of Injury?

• Documentation and Witness Preservation

• Assessment of Allegations: Does This Make Sense?

Interaction With Insurance Carrier or Servicing Agent

• What Information Does Your Claims Representative Need?

• Who Is in Charge of the Case?

• Appropriate and Inappropriate Input

Interaction With Counsel

• Ethical Considerations: Communication With the Represented Employee

• Communication With Defense Counsel: Whose Lawyer Is It?

Post-Injury Re-Employment

• The Good - Mitigation of Loss

• The Bad - Risks Inherent With Re-Employing the Injured Worker

• The Ugly - Subsequent Accident and Employee Morale

Managing the Managers

• Education and Training

• Management Culture