Case Management Focus: 8 Key Areas to Engage the Employer in Workers’ Compensation Cases

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -- Employers are essential healthcare team members in a worker's compensation case. Engaging them as part of the team is vital for the following:

(1) Implementing safety programs to prevent workplace injury.

(2) Educating employees on the importance of reporting a worker’s comp injury as soon as an accident happens.

(3) Ensuring the injured worker gets prompt medical attention after an accident/injury.

(4) Ensuring the injured worker feels appreciated and that their well-being is a top concern after an injury.

(5) Discussing return-to-work options so the injured employees understand their options when they are medically stable.

(6) Keeping the employee motivated when time is lost due to a worker's compensation injury so they feel valued can reduce barriers that can derail the claim or cause attorney involvement.

(7) Keeping in touch with the adjustor on the case progression.

(8) Communicating with the nurse case manager and vocational rehabilitation professionals about return to work plans.

Nurse Case Managers who keep the employer and/or the human resource department updated after each appointment and encourage their involvement in the case have better return to work outcomes.

At each encounter, the nurse case manager should talk to the employer about what type of light duty activities they might have for the injured worker once they are medically stable is important. Sometimes simple modifications can be made to allow the injured worker to return to work. Get the details of the light duty work early in the case. Doing this early on will enable you to be prepared and alert the treating physician that light work is available. Early return to work benefits everyone – the injured worker and the employer.

If an employer does not have a return to work program, the nurse case manager with the help of the vocational rehabilitation specialists can help set one up. Early return to work programs are important as they:

--> Maintain productivity.
--> Improve employee morale.
--> Decrease in performance issues.
--> Resolve claims faster.
--> Reduce claim costs.

How are you helping the employer be engaged in their worker compensation cases? What benefits have you seen from engaging the employer in your cases? Let me know by commenting in the comment section or emailing me at allewellyn48@gmail.com, and I will share it in a future post.

Thanks for reading this article and have a good week!

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