Allow me to introduce myself. I am the founder of Workers Compensation Roundtable on LinkedIn and a former bartender who moved on to workers comp. After college, I spent several years bartending – great fun – but when it came time to do something real, I was impressed by what a good time the law students hanging out at the bar after their evening studies were having, and I said to myself, “I CAN DO THAT!”
As Litigation Manager At Fortune 500 Corporation I Learned Workers Comp Could Be Fixed
Fast forward 4 years… As litigation manager at a Fortune 500 corporation, with over 80 operating units I learned about manufacturing freezers, coolers, slicers, grinders, automotive parts and even chiropractic tables. I also learned all the ways people got injured on products and in the workplace. BUT, most importantly, I learned the importance of communication. Communicating with Senior Management, GMs, Supervisors and Employees — everyone in the chain had to know that workers’ comp was a huge cost to our company. They also had to know that it COULD be fixed!
The problem was, I knew nothing about workers comp! When I noticed the costs on the loss run going up, I was not sure whether I was the “insured” or the “insurer.” So, like some of you, I learned from the ground up and developed a program that reduced our corporation’s loss costs 50%. I did it by not taking “no” for an answer from the insurance company, broker or TPA. I did not want to hear excuses like, “That’s not the way we do it.”
After reducing costs 50% our program was featured in the Wall Street Journal. That is when I started the original Workers Compensation Roundtable of which you are a member today.
New England Workers Comp Roundtable Began in Early 90’s
When the WCJ article came out, companies from everywhere called and wanted to learn the keys to cost containment. After American Tourister and Bates Casket visited us, I began an informal group of risk managers that met twice yearly, each meeting hosted by a member to share new techniques and strategies. The host provided lunch and a small gift from their company (that was especially fun when Heublein hosted since their product was liquor). We met at News Corp, Heublein, Stanley Works, American Tourister, Melville Corporation, ASEA Brown Boveri, Fleet Bank.
Today, many things in the world have changed but the keys to cost containment have not.
When I moved back to CT, Marsh asked me to develop an Injury Management Program for their clients. Later I had the same opportunity at Aon, and Aon’s Comp Camp. While training brokerage clients, I worked directly with companies of all sizes in all industry sectors. The problems of the companies were often similar, with slight variations depending on the industry. The solutions were usually simple once the problems had been correctly identified.
After 25+ Years of Hands on Experience, I Wrote a Book Containing Workers Comp Best Practices
After 25+ years of working hands-on with companies, I have written a book containing techniques and strategies that were most helpful to reduce workers comp costs. No client has achieved less than 20% reduction in losses. Many have become Best-In-Class, and most reduced their costs 50% or more.
There is so much value in being a part of a cost containment community such as the Roundtable. Because of this we are now offering $75.00 OFF our COMPREHENSIVE BOOK to our Roundtable members. Enter WC75 in the coupon code box at http://corner.advisen.com/wcbooks
The chapters are:
1. Work Comp Fundamentals
2. Cost Containment Basics
3. Training & Building Commitment
4. Roles & Responsibilities
5. Reporting the Claim
6. Post Injury Response
7. Communication with Employees
8. Working with Your Insurance Adjuster
9. Safety & Loss Control
10. Wellness
11. Return to Work
12. Indemnity Cost Containment
13. Medical Care
14. Medical Cost Containment
15. Fighting Fraud & Abuse
16. Rehabilitating the Injured Employee
17. Managing Prescription Drug Use
18. Claims Resolution & Settlements
Click to review the complete Table of Contents and Sample Pages.
To get $75.00 OFF the book for the month of June enter the Coupon Code: WC75 into the box http://corner.advisen.com/wcbooks
If you want something more CONDENSED, try our MINI-BOOK which is a one-page summary of every chapter in the Comprehensive Edition.
Brokers and Agents: bulk rates are available. View branded book samples. Many brokers and agents provide the branded book as a gift to clients and prospects.
Thank you for listening to how The Roundtable began, and for sharing your experiences in our LinkedIn Workers Compensation Roundtable! Please feel free to invite your friends to join our great group!
Best,
Rebecca Shafer
Risk Consultant/Attorney
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 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. She is the author of the #1 selling book on cost containment, Workers Compensation Management Program: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%. Contact:RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.
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