Top Workers’ Compensation Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them

As an employer, your top priorities should include your workforce’s safety, health and wellness. Your employees are one of your business’s most valuable resources, and ensuring their ongoing well-being is critical for stable operations, consistent productivity and a healthy workplace culture. To better protect your employees from potential bodily harm, it can be helpful to be aware of common incidents that may befall them, especially those that might necessitate workers’ compensation insurance claims.

What Are Common Workers’ Compensation Claims?

There are many injuries and ailments that may affect your employees. Even responsible employers in relatively low-risk industries may be unable to prevent all harm to workers while they’re on the job, necessitating additional precautions. Understanding the following frequent workers’ compensation claims in U.S. workplaces may be a good start:

• Vehicle accidents and crashes
• Slips, trips and falls
• Strains and sprains
• Cuts, punctures and lacerations
• Fractures and contusions
• Overuse or repetitive stress injuries
• Exposure to harmful substances or chemicals

How to Limit Workers’ Compensation Claims

In addition to having dire consequences for your employees’ health and wellness, the aforementioned incidents can have significant monetary ramifications for your business. Beyond the break in productivity and potential dip in workplace morale, filing a workers’ compensation claim can affect future premiums, potentially leading to far-reaching increased costs.

To limit the risk of workplace accidents and subsequent workers’ compensation claims, consider the following strategies:

• Robust training—Ensure all employees are thoroughly trained and educated on workplace risks and proper use of equipment.
• Regular inspections—Managers, supervisors and other leaders should frequently assess the work environment and remediate any potential perils and hazards.
• Open communication—Encourage employees to report any issues or code violations and assure them they will be heard and not retaliated against for such actions.
• Proper equipment—Purchase, maintain and instruct employees on using suitable personal protective equipment (PPE).

We’re Here to Help

Contact Five County Insurance Agency today to learn more about workers’ compensation insurance and workplace safety.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.