Empathetic Employers Reduce Workers' Compensation Claims

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kindness really does pay. In fact, when it comes to injured employees, kindness can greatly reduce the cost of workers' compensation claims. Lockton, the world's largest privately held insurance broker, has been helping employers for nearly 30 years implement a softer approach to handling injured employees.

Employers often overlook, undervalue, or interact poorly with the injured employees. These habits can lead to workers' compensation lawsuits; longer wait times for employees to return to work, and reduction in productivity. These all have a negative impact on the employer's bottom line.

Andrew Barklage, Lockton's Claims Cost Control Expert and Sherri Bryant, Lockton's Injury Counselor Team Lead, explain why an advocacy-based approach is best for both the employer and the employee in their white paper "10 Ways to Help Injured Employees Recover: An Advocacy-Based Approach to Workers' Compensation Claims."

Employers can begin to create a better work place atmosphere and post-injury recovery process by asking themselves the following questions.

• What is the "employee experience" when injured?
• Is anyone communicating with injured employees?
• What is the tone and content of communication?
• Does the employer genuinely care, and does the employee know this?
• Are there non-work related factors impacting the claim?
• Are employees fearful of losing their jobs?
• Does management behavior breed attorney involvement?

After evaluating how employees are treated post-injury, employers have some options to become more proactive and communicative. Injury counselors can play an integral role in showing injured employees empathy and guiding them through the recovery process.

"An injury counselor can play an integral role in returning injured employees to work and reducing costs," said Bryant. "However, every employer should lead with empathy, build trust and focus on the human side of workers' compensation."

Lockton's Claim Cost Control team can help establish an advocacy-based approach and can help determine if an injury counselor is right for your business.

For more information contact Andrew Barklage on our Claims Cost Control Team. He can be reached at 816-960-9588 or email abarklage@lockton.com. 

About Lockton

Lockton is a global professional services firm with 6,500 Associates who advise clients on protecting their people, property and reputations. Lockton has grown to become the world's largest privately held, independent insurance broker by helping clients achieve their business objectives.

For eight consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." To see the latest insights from Lockton's experts, check Lockton Market Update.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empathetic-employers-reduce-workers-compensation-claims-300478351.html

SOURCE Lockton