Eight Steps for Managing an EMERGENCY Injury in a post loss injury program.
As is well known, the keys to managing your workers’ compensation costs are documentation and following procedures.
1. The supervisor makes the decision about obtaining medical care, such as on-the-spot first aid, when a subordinate is injured on the job.
2. Follow your location’s procedures for notifying emergency services such as an ambulance.
3. Remain with the employee until medical professionals arrive and you are satisfied the employee is receiving adequate care.
4. Obtain the name of the contact person at the medical facility to contact about the employee’s condition over the next few hours/days.
5. Obtain the name and address of the medical facility treating the employee.
6. The supervisor must have ready and give the employee a copy of your company’s Injury Instructions, Workers’ Compensation Brochure, and Work Ability Form.
7. Supervisor also sends the Work Ability Form directly to the medical provider with instructions to complete and return to the supervisor within 24 hours of treatment.
8. Supervisor faxes report package (Work Ability Form and Employee Report; Supervisor Report and Witness Report) to injury coordinator.
When an Injury is NOT an Emergency
Seven Steps To Follow When Emergency Services Are Not Required
Even if emergency services are not required following an on-the-job injury, your company is not off the hook. You are still responsible for treating the employee fairly.
However, as always, procedures put in place before work-related injuries occur, aid supervisors in following and properly documenting the chain of events.
1. Direct the employee to preferred medical providers where statutorily permitted.
2. Work Ability Form (WAF) must accompany the employee.
3. The treating physician must sign and return WAF to the supervisor within 24 hours of treatment.
4. The employee also brings the Transitional Assignment Form (TAF) to the physician.
5. Physician must complete and sign TAF.
6. Employee must return TAF to supervisor within 24 hours of treatment. (workersxzcompxzkit)
7. The supervisor then faxes TAF to injury coordinator and works with injury coordinator to assign an appropriate transitional duty position to injured worker.
Author: Robert Elliott, J.D.
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