Get your workers compensation claim investigation off to a strong start.
The main goal of a workers compensation insurance claim investigation is to help an injured employee get the coverage they need to recover and return to the workplace. However, this is easier said than done. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to determine exactly what happened and, therefore, what should be covered by insurance. If you want to get your investigation off to a good start, then here are some of the suggestions that you should try.
1) Gather Statements
The investigation process should begin with collecting statements from the employee, employer, and any witnesses. Statement forms should be separate and have open-ended questions rather than boxes to check off. This way you can collect more details. You should be sure to get the following pieces of information from the injured employee:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Average weekly wage
- Date of injury
- Date of hire
2) Preserve and Investigate the Scene
After an accident takes place, the area should be roped off to protect any evidence related to the incident. As you investigate the scene, look for the potential cause of the incident. For instance, water on the floor could indicate that the worker slipped and fell; faulty equipment could indicate that the worker was injured as a result of a malfunction. As you investigate the scene, make sure you record your findings. Having a record will come in handy if the worker later changes their story or claims more extensive injuries.
3) Back-Up Witness Statements
While an accident might have been witnessed, there’s no guarantee that the witnesses will be reliable. This is why you should try to back up witness statements with evidence from the scene or video footage of the accident. When logging evidence, make sure you note areas of concern or places where witness statements do not match the physical evidence.
These are some of the steps that you should take to ensure that your workers comp claim investigation proceeds smoothly. Do you have additional questions regarding your workers compensation insurance coverage? If so, then contact the experts at PMC Insurance Group. We are ready to assist you with your coverage needs today.
