A lot of employers use in-house video cameras and surveillance devices to monitor employees and customers. This is not only for workers compensation issues but also liability issues. Customer injuries are another facet of risk management. It is important to properly document, record, and use surveillance for even minor injuries. They can also deter criminal activity.
Installing Surveillance Cameras in the Work Environment
Employers install surveillance cameras not to “spy” on workers, but to be able to record events when no witnesses are present. Again, it is about legitimizing, substantiating the claim and the injury. Take for instance a worker who reported being on the ground for 20 minutes before being able to get up and seek help after an injury, but what evidence is there to support this report with no witnesses? Surveillance cameras are the silent witness. Finding even one fraudulent workers compensation claim can save a lot of money for the employer. (WCxKit)
If workers are aware of being recorded, surveillance lessens horseplay in the workplace. Many workers comp claims result from horseplay. In such case, the claimant lied to the doctor about a pallet falling, when the worker was actually injured while running and flipping into a rolling cart while coworkers stood by and laughed.
This injury required surgery. Since cameras caught the worker behaving inappropriately, the claim was disproved 100%. The employee deceived the boss, doctors, and the adjuster about how the injury occurred. In this case, it changed the compensability completely. (WCxKit)
In the end, an employer finds it very beneficial to have cameras installed especially when insurance premiums are also reduced.
Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing, publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. See www.LowerWC.com for more information. Contact: [email protected].
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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.
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