Workers’ Compensation Claims Check List

Most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits to employees who get sick or hurt on the job. Carrying the appropriate insurance coverage has several benefits. It helps employees get needed medical attention for a work-related injury or occupational disease. Filing a workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible – ideally within 24 hours of the injury – is important.^[1] Filing a claim quickly sends a positive message to the injured employee that he or she is valued. Delayed filing can jeopardize a claim investigation, increase the cost of the claim and increase the potential for litigation. Here are reporting instructions and a checklist for filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Day One:

Help the injured employee get the necessary medical attention he or she needs
Report the claim to your insurance agent or carrier.^[2] Information should include:

- Time, date and location of the injury
- Nature and/or cause of the injury [CC1] (fall, laceration, machine error, etc.)
- Parts of the body that are affected and any previous injuries to those areas
- How the injury was sustained (lifting, bending, etc.)
- Witness(es) name(s) and contact information
Provide information about workers’ compensation benefits and the claims process to the employee and/or family members, making sure to emphasize the business’s continued interest in the employee’s health and well-being

First Week:

If appropriate, begin to consider a return-to-work plan for the employee such as modified duty or Temporary Transitional Duty

First Month + Ongoing:

Keep the lines of communication open; employers who are compassionate and maintain contact with their injured workers may have more satisfied employees
Facilitate returning the employee to work, arranging for a transitional modified job (light-duty) if needed

Following this checklist can help in navigating a claim. Many insurance providers make filing claims fast, quick and easy. At EMPLOYERS, we offer policyholders two convenient ways to report a claim:

Call the injured employee hotline, which is staffed 24/7 by registered nurses specially trained to provide medical guidance for new work-related injuries or occupational diseases: 855-365-6010
Call the customer service center: 888-682-6671

For more information on claims reporting, contact your agent or carrier today.

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