Tips For Avoiding Fraudulent Worker's Compensation Claims

With more than 3 million work injuries in 2013 and close to a third of those requiring missed work days, that's a lot of insurance claims and missed work. When you have that many workers affected and so many claims filed, it can be challenging to identify the problematic or questionable claims amidst the legitimate ones. Here are a few tips to help you and your worker's compensation insurance company combat fraud, protect your staff and save your company from costly premiums.

Train Your Managers on Injury Response Protocols

All of your management and supervisory staff should be thoroughly trained in how to handle any incoming injury reports. Since your managers and supervisors are typically the first ones to hear about an accident or injury, it's important that they know exactly how those things should be handled.

As part of this training, you should establish some checks and balances to help your managers identify potentially false claims. This can include a series of questions that need to be asked along the way. By establishing clear protocols and ensuring that your front-line management staff understands it, you can reduce errors in the claim process and reporting as well as minimize false claims.

Report Injuries Immediately

As soon as you know that someone was injured at work, notify your worker's compensation insurance company immediately. The sooner you tell them, the sooner you can get the legal support your company might need. Also, filing the claim right away can help to speed up the treatment process for the employee. If there's any question about getting medical care, the insurance company can help address it.

Investigate Every Claim

Any time you're notified of an employee accident, injury or other issue, make sure you investigate in detail. You'll want to have as much information as you can get about the injury, how it happened and what events led up to it. Make a point to talk with everyone in the area at the time, and record their statements when you can.

The sooner you talk with witnesses, the better. Facts can be difficult to recall as time passes, so have them recount the events as soon as possible. If you have any reason to suspect that the claim isn't legitimate after you've talked with the witnesses, you should call your insurance company and ask for a thorough fraud investigation.

The insurance company should have a fraud investigation team dedicated to researching things like this. These teams are trained to monitor activities, medical reports and other information to identify fraud cases. Contact a company like Hardee and Hardee LLP for more information.

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