It doesn’t matter whether you run a construction site or an office building – there is always the chance that one of your employees could be injured while at work. As an employer, it is your responsibility to make sure that your workplace follows the laws and regulations established by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Even when all these guidelines are followed, though, there is the chance that an employee could get hurt.
If an incident were to occur under your watch, would you know how to handle the situation correctly? Here are the steps you should take to ensure that an accident in the workplace is handled properly:
Get the injured employee medical attention
The most important part of the process is making sure that your employee is given the appropriate medical attention. If the injury needs immediate attention, call an ambulance right away. Remember, if you are on the fence about getting emergency medical help, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
If your employee’s injury does not require immediate attention, you should still encourage them to seek medical care from an approved provider as soon as possible.
Know your role in the claim process
In the event of an accident in your workplace, you have a few very important responsibilities. It is up to you to act as a liaison between your injured employee and your workers compensation insurance provider, ensuring that all of the correct paperwork is completed correctly and in a timely manner.
If you have questions about your role in the event of an incident, you can always call 877-550-0025 to speak to a Vargas and Vargas insurance agent. We can help provide the expertise you need when it comes to filing insurance claims like these.
Gather all the facts about the incident
Take the time to gather all the information you can about the accident. Cover all of your bases by collecting the following:
- The injured employee’s account of the incident.
- Reports from anyone that witnessed the accident.
- Photos or video of the area where the accident occurred.
The more information you have, the easier it will be for you to fill out your claim form!
Complete your own report about the accident
The Employer’s Report of Accident is your opportunity to tell your side of the story. Using all the facts that you gathered in the previous step, you need to tell the insurance company what you know. This is also where you can indicate if you think there is any validity to your employee’s claim.
Once this section of the workers’ compensation form is filled out, your insurance agent should be ready to officially file your employee’s claim.
Manage the claim process
Once your claim is filed, you could wait up to 90 days to find out whether it has been approved or denied. During this time, it is important for you to stay on top of the process. Make sure that any questions or requests from your insurance provider are answered in a timely manner, and make sure to also check on your employee’s recovery.
If you follow all five of these steps after an employee is injured, you should be able to breeze through the workers’ compensation claim process. And remember, Vargas and Vargas Insurance is here to help if you get lost or stuck along the way!
