Lowering workers' comp costs - Practice Management - workers' compensation laws and regulations - Brief Article

California CPA, July, 2003

As workers' compensation laws and regulations increase in number and complexity, companies must do more than sit on the sidelines to control their costs.

Here are some steps--many inexpensive--that employers can take to minimize workers' compensation costs.

* Make job site safety a daily priority.

* Fix job site hazards immediately.

* Train supervisors to know what's required of employers, including how to keep a workplace safe, how to take workers' comp reports and who to contact if an incident occurs.

* Report employee injuries promptly.

* Exercise medical control. If, prior to an injury, your employee did not notify you in writing of the name and address of his or her personal physician, you have the right to arrange for the treatment of the employee by a physician of your choice for the first 30 days after the injury.

* Stay in touch with employees throughout their recuperation.

* Consider an Early Return to Work (ERTW) Program, where employees are assigned a transitional job to accommodate their medical condition until they can return to their usual duties.

* Maintain employee records.

* Educate your employees about workers compensation.

For more information, visit California's Division of Workers' Compensation at www.dir.ca.gov.dwc.dwc_home_page.htm.