When an accident or injury occurs on the job, it’s critical for workers to report the incident immediately – preferably within 24 hours of the event – to help get the injured worker the care he or she needs and to set the investigation process in motion. In addition, the accident investigation process will help determine what happened in order to help strengthen safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
An incident report or first report of injury or illness is completed by the injured worker and submitted by the employer – the home health care provider – to the Workers Compensation carrier. The incident report typically includes the following information and questions to be completed:
- Date of injury/time of injury.
- What happened? What were you doing at the time?
- How were you injured?
- Were there any witnesses? Provide names.
- What body parts were injured?
- Did you seek medical attention, or do you intend to seek medical attention, and if so, where?
- What actions could have been taken to prevent the injury?
The supervisor will also have to complete his or her section of the form, including what safety regulations were in place and what preventive action is recommended to prevent reoccurrence.
Benefits of Timely Incident Reporting
There are several critical benefits for home health care agencies of reporting workplace accidents immediately:
- Provides the injured employee with appropriate medical treatment. Depending on the extent of the injury, an employee’s injuries will be adequately assessed and addressed, whether it’s getting the employee to the right physician, sending him or her to urgent care or the ER, or providing first-aid treatment. This helps to keep injuries from worsening and medical costs from rising.
- Allows the insurance carrier to investigate the accident details while the incident is fresh in everyone’s minds, including any witnesses that may have seen what happened.
- Identifies potential hazards. When an accident occurs, an accident investigation will assist in determining the root cause of the injury. Identifying the source of the problem or potential risk reduces the chances of a similar claim occurring in the future.
- Lowers legal risk. If an injury claim is not reported promptly, the employee may feel neglected or disconnected and seek advice from others or contact an attorney. Reporting a claim early, showing compassion to the employee, and maintaining open lines of communication will significantly reduce the likelihood of a litigated claim.
- Protects the organization from non-compliance issues with health and safety regulations.
- Avoids fines and penalties for late claim reporting. Several states levy fines on employers who fail to report workplace injuries within a specific time frame.
- Improves the overall well-being of all employees in the organization.
About Manchester Specialty
We specialize in providing agents and brokers with totally integrated business insurance solutions, including Workers’ Compensation coverage, to meet the needs of Home Care, Allied Health, Medical Staffing, and Human/Social Services organizations. For more information about how our products and services can help protect your insureds and how we recognize accredited firms, please contact us at 855.972.9399.