Health joining safety as strategy for reducing workers comp claims?
Preventing workers comp claims has always been about improving workplace safety, but promoting health and wellness among employees is just as important, according to Integrated Benefits Institute President Thomas Parry. (Based in San Francisco, the independent non-for-profit Institute provides the data, research and tools professionals need to make sound decisions in how they invest in the health of their respective workforces.)
In an address to The World at Work 2014 Total Rewards Conference in Dallas, where he spoke about the transformation of health-management strategies, Mr. Parry goes on to say that “more and more workers comp people are recognizing that the underlying health of employees is also becoming a driver of workers compensation claims” and cited obesity as a very good example of an underlying health problem.
Parry closed by saying “What you want to do is prevent claims by having a healthy workforce and a safe workplace.”
If you or someone you know has sustained a work-related injury, call the attorneys at Klezmer Maudlin at 317-569-9644. We can help you navigate the deadlines and the forms, and we can help you get the treatment you need and the settlement you deserve.
We offer free advice and only charge a fee if you need us.
What is a mediation and when is it necessary?
Mediations are becoming more and more popular in workers’ compensation cases. A mediation is a meeting in the presence of the insurance company’s attorney, a neutral third party called a mediator (usually an attorney or a representative of the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Board), the injured worker and his/her attorney.
The Board requires that attempts be made to settle a workers’ compensation claim before having a formal hearing. Recorded statements, depositions and interrogatories are all conducted so parties have a better understanding of the work accident claim and what might realistically be a fair settlement to offer to avoid having to go to court.
Mediations are a last ditch effort to settle a case before it would go to court. Mediations usually take 1 to 4 hours and the goal at mediation is to settle the case. Mediation is voluntary, so you cannot be forced to settle and the insurance company cannot be forced to offer more than it feels comfortable offering. You will not testify at mediation, but you will simply listen. Your attorney may have questions for you during mediation, but you will not be put on the spot. Mediation generally takes place in an informal setting such as a conference room or law office.