Avoiding the Bugs Bunny Trap: Why Most Employers Struggle with Workers’ Comp

Picture this: Bugs Bunny, lounging in a rowboat, casually munching on a carrot, feet kicked up on the rim. Suddenly, a leak appears. No problem—he plugs it with one paw. Then another leak. Another paw. Then a dozen more leaks spring up, and Bugs frantically tries to plug them all, arms and legs flailing. He’s overwhelmed, reactive, and seconds away from sinking.

It’s a funny scene—until you realize it’s exactly how most employers manage their workers’ compensation programs.

The Bugs Bunny Trap is a perfect metaphor for how workers’ comp can spiral out of control without a strategic framework. Employers find themselves constantly reacting to problems—claim delays, rising litigation, costly treatments—without a clear path forward. Like Bugs, they’re stuck in a frantic loop, trying to stay afloat rather than steer the boat.

So how do you escape the chaos and build a streamlined, high-performance comp program? It starts with understanding why the trap happens and what to do instead.

The Real Problem: Reaction Without Direction

Workers’ compensation is complex. There are dozens of levers you could pull: vendor services, nurse case management, investigations, litigation strategies, provider networks, and more. But when you don’t have a clear structure or goal, this sea of options becomes paralyzing.

Here’s the trap: instead of following a thoughtful process, many employers jump straight to external solutions. They blame the adjuster who won’t return calls, the doctors who keep workers out too long, or the broker who only shows up at renewal.

The result? Constant problem-chasing. No progress. No clear priorities.

And that’s when the leaks start to multiply.

The Power of Sequence: Start with Framework

The antidote to the Bugs Bunny Trap is sequence—doing the right things in the right order.

A world-class workers’ comp program follows three critical steps:

1. Framework
   Begin by defining your destination. What’s your vision? What’s your primary goal—reduced costs, better outcomes, fewer litigated claims? Establish a brand and identity for your injury management program (like the IPAR Program), and align your internal team around it. Assign ownership, define roles, and set timelines. This is your “boat and map” before you set out on the water.

2. Employer Systems
   Once your vision is in place, evaluate your internal processes. This includes:

   • Hiring and onboarding

   • Safety training and procedures

   • Post-injury protocols (claim reporting, supervisor response, communication)

   These are the systems that prevent leaks from forming in the first place.

3. External Systems
   Finally, engage adjusters, brokers, attorneys, and medical providers. But now, they’re supporting a clear plan—not improvising one. With a shared vision and role clarity, vendors can become true partners instead of isolated problem-solvers.

Most employers start at step three. That’s the trap.

Why Employers Default to External Blame

It’s not hard to see why companies go straight to the adjuster, doctor, or attorney when things go wrong. External systems are easy targets. They’re also visible—when a claim drags on, it’s the adjuster’s name on the file. When a worker stays out for six weeks, it’s the doctor’s note that’s being faxed.

But these symptoms often reflect upstream problems:

• A delayed claim report causes higher medical costs.

• Poor supervisor response frustrates the injured worker and leads to litigation.

• No return-to-work plan makes it impossible to re-engage employees.

Fixing external problems without addressing internal gaps is like replacing the tires on a car with a broken engine. You’ll go nowhere—fast.

The Cost of Staying in the Trap

A reactive, scattered approach leads to:

• Higher claim costs due to missed opportunities for early intervention

• Longer return-to-work timelines due to poor communication

• Frustrated service providers who don’t know what the employer expects

• Burned-out internal staff trying to juggle every fire at once

And worst of all, you stay stuck—never improving, never optimizing.

The Road Out: Begin with the End in Mind

Stephen Covey’s timeless advice applies perfectly here: Begin with the end in mind. That means defining what success looks like before diving into action.

Ask yourself:

• What does a successful workers’ comp program look like for your organization?

• Is it a specific cost per FTE?

• Is it faster return-to-work rates?

• Is it a cultural shift where employees trust the injury process?

Once you know the goal, reverse engineer the plan:

• Establish a program identity.

• Assign internal leaders and teams.

• Benchmark your current performance using five core metrics.

• THEN engage your external partners with a clear purpose.

From Bugs Bunny to Strategic Navigator

The good news? You don’t need to stay in the Bugs Bunny Trap. You don’t need to panic-plug leaks while your workers’ comp program springs holes left and right.

With the right sequence—starting from vision, building internal systems, and supporting with external partnerships—you can steer your program toward calm waters, not just survive the storm.

So next time you find yourself blaming the adjuster, the doctor, or the claim, pause and ask: Do I have a plan? Because without one, you’ll be rowing in circles—and Bugs will be right there with you.

Michael Stack, CEO of Amaxx LLC, is an expert in workers’ compensation cost containment systems and provides education, training, and consulting to help employers reduce their workers’ compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is co-author of the #1 selling comprehensive training guide “Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering Workers’ Comp Costs: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%.” Stack is the creator of Injury Management Results (IMR) software and founder of Amaxx Workers’ Comp Training Center. WC Mastery Training teaching injury management best practices such as return to work, communication, claims best practices, medical management, and working with vendors. IMR software simplifies the implementation of these best practices for employers and ties results to a Critical Metrics Dashboard.

Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.

Workers’ Comp Roundup Blog: http://blog.reduceyourworkerscomp.com/

Injury Management Results (IMR) Software: https://imrsoftware.com/

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