Owners of small businesses are called on to manage many aspects of their businesses. One area, workers’ compensation insurance, must not only be provided but also maintained at a high level to be cost effective while providing employees with excellent benefits if they are injured at work.
A solid workers’ compensation management implementation program is one adaptable to every infrastructure in every state and includes these key points.
1. Start at the beginning with the assessment.
2. Develop a policy, program, and procedures.
3. Integrate practices into your every day work culture.
4. Measure return to work and data benchmarking before and after to see how you’ve improved.
5. Train employees, and document decreased work related injuries.
6. Bring the data to your insurer and bargain for a better insurance rate.
Before you can begin to think about a workers’ comp program, you must first put into place and maintain a safety program. Here are a few key steps.
1. Begin by using immersing everyone (owner(s), supervisors, employees, contract workers, etc.) in the single, most important idea: safety is not an option. Everyone needs to be aware of the consequences of ignoring safety rules, tied to their performance evaluations.
2. Use ISO900 standards for a safe work environment. Ask your insurance company about this.
3. Structure the work environment so tools, machinery and office equipment are neatly stored.
4. Mark walkways with day-glo yellow tape and keep them free of debris.
5. Use non-slip grids and handrails to prevent slips and falls.
6. Use signs to warn of hazards, in both words and pictures.
7. Post safety reminders to employees to wear protective personal equipment. Signs need to be in English and any other language prevalent in your workplace.
8. Appoint a safety coordinator.
9. Require employees to attend safety meetings and to participate in safety control.
10. Fully train all employees in the safe performance of their job tasks, highlighting particular safety standards, techniques, issues and consequences for non-compliance.
Train in safety to the expectations of your particular workplace and environment. (workersxzcompxzkit)
Competent management of a work comp program is more than preparing your payroll and reporting claims. The employer must create an atmosphere of safety and implement an active workers’ compensation program at every level.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Podcast/Webcast: Claim Handling Strategies
Click Here:
http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/podcast/ Claim_Handling_Strategies/index.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers' comp issues.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@ ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
Oh, yes, we are famous for our dangerous chimp here in Connecticut, but this isn't about the injury to the chimp's victim, it is about the injury to the police officer that killed the chimp during an attack so vicious that it tore off the hands and face of it's victim…
A Connecticut police officer was denied workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress he claimed suffering after he shot and killed a raging chimpanzee kept as a pet. His claimed was denied because state laws only provide compensation if a person (not an animal) is killed. The policeman suffers from mood swings, flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety.
The officer has appealed his work comp claim, although he has returned to work. He is requesting payment of his medical bills and recognition given to the kinds of injuries suffered when dealing with wild animal pets.
A new piece of legislation proposed by state senator Andrew McDonald revises current law by including payment for mental and/or emotional suffering claims when an animal is killed in the course of a police officer’s duties. The bill is designed to cover this particular officer’s work comp claim as well as any future similar claims by others.
McDonald said, “This officer was placed in a very dangerous situation and he displayed tremendous bravery and control . . . he put himself in harm’s way to protect citizens.” The animal’s attack was ferocious, he added.
The 200-pound animal attacked and nearly killed a woman who was assisting the chimp’s owner in luring him back into his cage. The woman suffered serious life-altering injuries and, one year later, is still recovering in a special hospital in Ohio. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The chimp was killed by the officer when the animal tore parts off his police cruiser and opened the cruiser door trying to get at the officer.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Podcast/Webcast: Claim Handling Strategies
Click Here:
http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/podcast/ Claim_Handling_Strategies/index.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers' comp issues.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@ ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
Common sense should tell us if we are injured at home, we cannot file a workers’ compensation claim. But, not all sense is common or sensible.
A civilian supervisory detention officer, employed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for 24 years, was convicted for filing a false workers’ comp claim. The worker claimed an industrial/on-the-job injury and filed for work comp. She was convicted of workers’ compensation and insurance fraud.
The investigation centered on how the alleged injury occurred, the actual location where she claimed she was injured and what information she had given to her treating physicians. Investigators found the woman did not tell the LAPD, her doctors or investigators with the City Attorney’s Office the injury actually occurred at her home before she reported to work on the day she claimed she was injured at work. (workersxzcompxzkit)
As part of the criminal conviction for workers’ comp fraud, the court ordered the individual to pay full restitution to the City of Los Angeles in the amount of $7,654.71 for all salary and medical benefits the City paid as part of her fraudulent claim. In addition, she was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and placed on two years of summary probation.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Podcast/Webcast: Claim Handling Strategies
Click Here:
http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/podcast/ Claim_Handling_Strategies/index.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers' comp issues.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@ ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
In an effort to crack down on employers not following labor laws, the Department of Labor (DOL) is requesting an additional $67 million in funding as it prepares enhanced rule enforcement. The funds are part of the recently released budget for fiscal year 2011.
Proposed Budget Highlights
1. A portion of the funds allocated for worker protection programs would permit the agency to bring on an additional 350 employees – 177 of which would be investigators and other enforcement staff.
2. The Wage and Hour Division would obtain $244 million in funding (up $20 million) and hire 90 new investigators and enforcement staff.
As part of a joint operation with the Department of the Treasury, the DOL budget includes $25 million to focus on employee misclassification and hire 100 more enforcement personnel. (workersxzcompxzkit)
The DOL is discussing plans for a $50 million initiative to promote paid-leave experiments on the state level.
Podcast/Webcast: Claim Handling Strategies
Click Here:
http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/podcast/ Claim_Handling_Strategies/index.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers' comp issues.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@ ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
More than 9.6 million people with disabilities and their families rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Many, however , may be paying more taxes than necessary or missing out on important credits and deductions, according to a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services. Those with disabilities may be unaware of certain tax provisions designed to decrease their tax liability. Some of these people with disabilities may have originally experience an occupational injury.
Three Critical Areas to Consider
1. Understand How SSDI and Other Benefits are Taxed
Monthly SSDI Benefits
Up to 50% of SSDI benefits may be taxed. The amount taxed is determined by adding up one-half of your SSDI benefits plus ALL of your other income sources. You pay taxes on any amount above a base level. In 2009, the base level was $32,000 for couples filing jointly and $25,000 for individuals.
The average 2009 monthly SSDI benefit was under $1,100, or $13,200 annually. That means many SSDI recipients own no taxes. However, a tax return should be filed to take advantage of available credits and deductions.
Lump-sum SSDI Benefits
It can take two to four years to receive disability benefits, resulting in a lump-sum back payment amount. Paying taxes on this amount in one year is a mistake and may be financially devastating. The IRS allows taxes assessed on your lump-sum payment to be spread over previous tax years, using your current-year tax return, without filing an amended return. However, the calculations are complex, and it’s highly recommended filers seek tax assistance.
Other Benefit Sources
Many disabled people may rely on additional taxable income. Usually, workers’ compensation benefits and compensatory damages for injuries are not taxable.
Taxability of long-term disability (LTD) insurance benefits depends on how the premiums are paid. If paid with after-tax dollars, the benefits are not included in taxable income. If paid with pre-tax dollars, as part of a cafeteria plan for example, or paid by the employer, the benefits are considered taxable income.
2. Explore Tax Credits Providing A Dollar-for-Dollar Tax Reduction or Refund
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) (Up To $5,657)
EITC is a refundable credit. When applied any amount higher than a person’s tax bill can be received as a tax refund. To be eligible, a taxpayer or spouse was employed for a part of 2009, earned below $13,440 to $43,279, depending upon filing status and the number of children claimed, and had investment income of no more than $3,100.
Credit for the Disabled (up to $7,500)
Disabled persons are eligible for this credit if they receive taxable disability income from a former employer’s accident, health or pension plan, and have 2009 adjusted gross income under $17,500 for single filers; under $20,000 for joint filers with one spouse eligible for the credit; or under $25,000 for joint filers with both spouses eligible.
Dependent Care Credit
If someone is paid to care for a dependent or spouse with physical or mental impairments while the primary caregiver works or looks for work, a tax credit of up to 35% of day care costs may be taken.
3. Use Tax Deductions to Further Lower Tax Costs
Standard Tax Deduction May Increase
Blind or visually impaired taxpayers may be entitled to a higher standard tax deduction.
Medical Deductions May Apply
Taxpayers who itemize can deduct medical costs equaling more than 7.5% of their adjusted gross income. Deductible expenses include medical and dental costs, travel expenses for treatment, long-term care insurance, medical insurance premiums and, for those with visual, hearing and physical disabilities, costs for certain equipment. (workersxzcompxzkit)
Deduct the Costs of Seeking SSDI Benefits
If you hire a representativeto help you get your SSDI benefits and you itemize, you can deduct the fee you pay your representative for tax advice and preparing your return.
We don't give tax advice, so check with your accounting and legal professionals to see whether this information may apply (or may not) in your situation.
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
Podcast/Webcast: Claim Handling Strategies
Click Here:
http://www.workerscompkit.com/gallagher/podcast/ Claim_Handling_Strategies/index.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers' comp issues.
©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@ ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
Posted in
Implementation and Rolling Out Your Program, Management Commitment, Safety and Loss Control |
