Workers’ compensation has always been about people, but the “human factor” is taking center stage in a way we haven’t seen before. Employers tend to think of injuries as mechanical problems, slips, trips, machinery, equipment, ergonomics. But the forces driving claim frequency and severity this year have far more to do with how people feel, […]

Major workplace crises, whether natural disasters or acts of violence, always leave behind more than physical damage. They reveal gaps in preparedness, expose weaknesses in response systems, and place lasting burdens on the affected workers. Two recent events, the Los Angeles wildfires and the Virginia school shooting verdict, underscore how employers must rethink workers compensation […]

Modernize Your Safety Communication to Reduce Injuries The communication landscape has changed dramatically, but many workplace safety programs are still stuck in the past. If your safety messaging hasn’t evolved with your workforce, you are failing to manage risk effectively. Today’s employees expect communication that is direct, relevant, and respects their intelligence and time. Outdated, […]

Fentanyl Employers have long used pre-employment drug screening as a key safeguard to protect workplace safety and control workers compensation costs. Historically, differences between pre-employment and random drug testing results have been modest across most substances. However, data from the Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index suggests this is changing. Over the past five years, random (unannounced, […]

Don’t Wait for an Injury: How a Return-to-Work Program Protects Your Business An employee gets hurt on the job. What’s your plan? Too often, the answer is a scramble. A supervisor is told to “find something” for the injured employee to do, leading to an awkward and unproductive situation for everyone. This reactive approach is […]

Mastering Return-to-Work: Five Essential Strategies A successful return-to-work program is one of the most powerful tools you have to control workers’ compensation costs and maintain a productive workforce. When an employee is injured, your response in the first 48 hours sets the tone for the entire claim. A poorly managed claim leads to extended absences, […]

Build a Bulletproof Return-to-Work Program: Your First Steps An effective Return-to-Work program is simple, practical, and tailored to your business. The first and most critical step is to put your plan in writing. A written plan moves your program from a vague idea to an official company policy. It sets clear expectations for everyone involved, […]

How to Cut Workers’ Comp Claims: Build a Culture of Safety Many business leaders believe that strict rules and penalties are the keys to a safe workplace. This approach is fundamentally flawed. If you want to slash your workers’ compensation costs and create a more productive environment, you must shift your focus from enforcement to […]

How to Help Clients Make Workers’ Comp Employee Friendly Both in the media and in general conversation, we often hear people refer to the workers’ compensation laws in various states as being very “employee friendly” because they feel that it’s easy for injured employees to get more than they “deserve” from the workers’ comp system. […]

Vetting Your Medical Provider: The Key to Controlling Workers’ Comp Costs The single most influential factor in the outcome of a workers’ compensation claim is the quality of the initial medical care. Selecting the right medical provider is not just a logistical step; it is the most critical business decision you will make in managing […]