1st Edition

Managing Workers' Compensation A Guide to Injury Reduction and Effective Claim Management

By Keith Wertz, James J. Bryant Copyright 2001
312 Pages
by CRC Press

312 Pages
by CRC Press

Workers' compensation causes headaches throughout all levels of an organization. Injuries affect production, costs, and morale. Managing Workers' Compensation: A Guide to Injury Reduction and Effective Claim Management lays out - in logical order - management and safety procedures that reduce injuries and the aggravation that follows. The authors cover hiring, training, and managing employees with... Read more
WORKERS' COMPENSATION OVERVIEW
Introduction
Basic Principles
Historical Pespective
Methods of Coverage
Key Participants
Facts vs Fiction
What are the Costs?
Summary

AVOIDING CLAIMS THROUGH SAFETY MANAGEMENT
Manage or be Managed
OSHA Safety and Health Program
Safety Committees
Personnel Management
Training
Incentive Awards
Summary

IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OF WORKPLACE HAZARDS
Introduction
Hazard Identification Methods
Hazard Control
Performance Assessment
Summary

SAFETY INTERNET RESOURCES
Overview of the Internet
Accessing the Web or "Going on Line"
Advantages Provided by the Internet
The WIIFM Formula
Information Management
Conclusion

UNDERSTANDING AND INFLUENCING WORKERS' COMPENSATION PREMIUMS
Introduction
Calculating Premiums
Influencing Workers' Compensation Premiums
Summary

THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS COORDINATOR
Introduction
What is a Workers' Compensation Claims Coordinator
Selecting a Workers' Compensation Claims Coordinator
Roles and Responsibilities of the Claims Coordinator
Summary

UNDERSTANDING AND IMPLEMENTING A MODIFIED DUTY PROGRAM
Introduction
Benefits of a Modified Duty Program
Resistance to Implementing Modified Duty
Getting Started
The Modified Duty Process in Action
Summary

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
Introduction
Benefits of Conducting Accident Investigations
Focus of Accident Investigation
Deciding which Accidents to Investigate
Who Should Investigate
Gathering Information
Identifying Surface and Root Causes
Mitigating the Causes
Evaluating Control Strategies
Summary

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS
Introduction
Benefits of Substance Abuse Programs
Applicability of Drug Testing
Creating a Clear Policy
Involvement of the Supervisor
Educating Employees
Employee Assistance Programs
Obtaining Assistance
Conclusion

COMBATING WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD
Workers' Compensation Fraud
Effects of Workers' Compensation Fraud
What Constitutes Workers' Compensation Fraud?
Factors that Effect the Potential for Fraud
Warning Signs (Red Flags)
Investigating Suspect Fraudulent Claims
Methods of Detering and Detecting Fraud
Conclusion

COMMON AND COSTLY INJURIES
Introduction
Ergonomics
Slips/Trips/Falls

Appendices
Sample Safety Programs for "Your Company"
OSHA Checklist: Self-Inspection Checklist
Company Safety and Workers' Compensation Cost Profile
Sample Modified Duty Program
National Resources for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Information
Directory of State Workers' Compensation Administration

Biography

Keith Wertz, James J. Bryant