It’s good that you are finally in control of almost every significant aspect of your business. However, it’s also time for you to start adopting the right risk management approach, which you should use in an informed manner. A good example is the measures you have to address when an employee gets injured on the job.
Failing to address such issues the right way can attract unwanted circumstances for your company, such as lawsuits. While it seems like a hassle, the process is easy once you use an informed approach:
1. Document the Cause of the Injury
The first step when an employee gets an injury at work is to document the leading cause of the work injury. You have to perform this process to help improve the strength of your argument when making an insurance claim. The documentation can involve various resources such as cameras, note-taking, and other resources.
You can also consider taking accounts for any witnesses and documenting their accounts in written format. While the injury might occur due to an issue with the company facility or resources, it can also be employee negligence. Your ability to provide concise information will have a crucial outcome for any claims the employee leverages against your company.
2. Consult with Company Lawyer
You also have to consult with a lawyer that represents your company. The reason is that a lawyer will provide you with the best advice you can use to address the issues associated with a work injury. You need advice from a competent and experienced lawyer to help ensure the best results.
Part of the process of consulting your lawyer involves giving all the details about the injury. Or, you can have them visit the facility and the scene to help with the evidence acquisition process. Your lawyer will also play a significant role in the consultation process with the insurance service.
3. Workers’ Compensation Plan
A compensation plan is crucial to any business. This is especially important to have for businesses that are prone and high risk to injuries. The plan should be concise and provide optimal value to the given employee. The company might also have to draft a paid work leave program for the injured individual.
For example, electric companies should make sure to have workers compensation for electricians. Electricians need workers’ compensation plans because their work involves many scenarios that could lead to injury. The plan also helps your business avoid lawsuits, fines and aligns with state laws on business management.
4. Help The Employee Get Medical Attention
While the employee might have an injury due to negligence, they still need medical care. You should ensure that they get to your facility’s first aid or clinic department fast. You might also have to organize transportation to a medical facility if the injury seems life-threatening.
Remember to inform the first aid or medical health professional about the injury. Access to information is crucial when the injury involves a poisonous or rusted item such as metal.
5. Call Your Insurance Provider
Your next step is to call the insurance service that represents your company. You must contact them to get first-hand insight into helpful ways of addressing the finances associated with the injury. The information you collected earlier will also be critical for your insurance service provider.
Ensure you give them all the details, and ask them for the best solution for the issue. Your insurance service should use the information to develop a detailed compensation plan for the employee.
As you have noticed, there are various things you can do when addressing an injured employee on the job. You have to consider multiple factors and use an informed approach to help ensure the best results.
Check out: Workplace Health and Safety Hazards Every Employee Needs to Know
Written by:
Sierra Powell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Writing. When she’s not writing, she loves to cook, sew, and go hiking with her dogs.
