Latest News
Tips to Control Worker’s Comp Costs
- Match a worker’s skills and abilities to their job.
- Make safety a job priority. It’s far less expensive to prevent an accident than to pay for one.
- Fix dangerous conditions. Failure to take corrective measures when you become aware of a hazard creates the potential for a “Serious and Willful Misconduct” suit.
- Train supervisors. Supervisors and managers are included in the definition of “employer” in workers’ comp law.
- Report employee injuries as soon as you become aware of them.
- Provide claim forms within one day of learning of an injury. Forward the completed form to your insurance provider immediately.
- Refer the injured worker to an approved medical provider if you plan requires one.
- Keep in touch with the injured worker throughout their recuperation period.
- Allow workers to return to their jobs as soon as possible, altering their responsibilities as necessary, either temporarily or permanently.
- Maintain good records in the employee’s personnel file.
Reducing the Risks: Liability and Workers’ Compensation Claims
Although the following suggestions are directed towards hotel operations, we thought many are applicable across a variety of industries.
· When hiring new personnel, conduct more extensive background checks and require green cards and other identification to prevent future liabilities.
· Walk the grounds daily, making sure there are no hazards for employees or guests.
· Know where subcontractors, landscapers and maintenance crews are working, and where they are storing their equipment.
· Provide employee incentives for those who follow safety rules. For example, employees who work for a length of time without injury may accrue points for a gift card or other benefit.
· Be sure you have proper coverage for guests’ technology devices, including laptops and PDAs/phones.
· Document every mishap in detail, even if no one needs medical treatment. Without documentation, the injured party may later claim s/he suffered more serious injuries.
From Bruce Zaccanti, Ernst & Young, as reported in Hotel and Motel Management, February 4, 2008 issue, p. 40.
Tips to Minimize Legal Woes: Guest Accidents
Often the first few minutes after an accident occurs are the most crucial. The following steps should be utilized by control people in that critical time period:
[Read more]