Despite how successful your Post’s risk management program is, Post members and volunteers can still get injured at your Post.

Workers’ Compensation insurance provides coverage for “on-the-job” injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages. This coverage applies regardless of fault and is written to follow individual state laws. Some states require this coverage, while others highly encourage it.

Because workers’ compensation claims are different from case to case, there is often confusion surrounding how to handle a claim.

When to Report an Injury

Report lag, or the number of calendar days between when an injury occurs and when it is reported to the insurance carrier, is a major issue in workers’ compensation claims. Measure your Post’s report lag, and make adjustments, if possible.

Generally, the shorter the length of report lag, the better. Timely claim reporting is an indicator of a good claims management program. It means:

• Communication is open between parties
• Injured workers receive proper medical care
• Adjustors are able to fully investigate claims in a timely manner
• Compensability decisions are able to be made
• Empowers the return-to-work process
• Protects income streams initiated for injured workers

In fact, when claims are not reported within the state’s statutory window, report lag can be a cause for litigation.

How to Avoid Claims

While workers’ compensation claims are inevitable, there are steps you can take to make your Post safer for members and volunteers. Implement these measures to prevent workers’ compensation claims.

• Require volunteers to go through orientation and training
• Talk through volunteer tasks and ask which tasks they feel comfortable doing
• Use professionals for high-risk tasks, such as roof work
• Schedule regular breaks for volunteers that are working more than two hours
• Encourage all volunteers to ask questions
• Establish a lifting policy (wide stance, bend at the knees, rise using legs, not the back)

A smart risk management program paired with a workers’ compensation insurance policy, administered by Lockton Affinity, can help reduce your Post’s workers’ compensation claims and associated fees your Post may have to pay in the event of a claim.

Coverage may not be available in all states and is subject to actual policy terms and conditions.  Coverage may be provided by an excess/surplus lines insurer which is not licensed by or subject to the supervision of the insurance department of your state of residence. Policy coverage forms and rates may not be subject to regulation by the insurance department of your state of residence. Excess/surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and therefore insureds are not protected by such funds in the event of the insurer’s insolvency.