Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/117833
Take Control Early in the Claim Process If there���s an accident of any kind, have well-defined procedures for managers to follow, and proactively keep in touch with your injured employee. By Eric Stiles Proper investigation and case management after an accident can help prevent a repeated occurrence and reduce the total cost burden. Most dealerships today have a written policy requiring employees to report any accidents immediately. Often, this procedure is followed and an investigation is conducted to verify the contributing factors of the incident (and legitimacy of the claim). This process should be followed even for an injury that appears minor at first. Any injury can take a turn for the worse later, causing lost time, wages, and occasionally constituting dealer negligence. Consider the following case: A field service employee performing work at a customer location loses his balance and falls 5 feet to the ground below. There were no witnesses. The employee comes to his feet and feels some pain in his knee and elbow, which took the brunt of the fall. Not thinking he is seriously hurt, the employee finishes the service job and heads back to the office. After returning, he tells his manager about the fall but states he feels OK, so the manager takes no additional action. Over the next week, the employee continues to work but the pain gets worse, eventually landing him in the hospital where it���s determined he tore several ligaments in his knee along with a fracture in his arm. The employee receives surgery as well as work restrictions, which the dealer won���t accommodate. After additional complications, the employee is off work for more than a year and retains an attorney. The case is eventually settled and he never returns to the dealership. While the injuries sustained were recoverable, losing control of the case early in the process contributed to higher medical expenses and a disability rating that led to an incurred total claim of $500,000. Written Claim Reporting Procedures Dealers should have clear requirements for the reporting and investigation of claims: n Outline specific timeframes by which employees��� injuries need to be reported and investigated. n Develop a documented reporting process including scene photos and interviews to help proactively manage claims. n Provide training to staff on claim investigation and reporting practices. n Emphasize the goal of preventing future incidents rather than assigning blame. 18 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | April 2013 18_Play_it_Safe_feature_KP.indd 18 3/25/13 12:00 PM