When an employee is injured: 1. Inquire If you see, hear about or suspect a work injury, don’t ignore it. Get to the bottom of it. Ask questions and find out the "where, when and how." This is particularly important when either you or the employee is not sure whether the injury is work related. Document your conversation. If the employee is not injured, or it is clear the injury is not work-related, it is likely no further action will be needed. However, if the employee believes he or she was injured at work, go to the next step. 2. Direct the proper care For an emergency, provide prompt medical attention, including transportation if necessary. In a non-emergency situation, if you have selected a company physician, it is reasonable to send the injured worker to that physician for care as the initial medical attendant. If no designated physician is available, the employee may select the physician of his or her choice. 3. Gather information Obtain the information necessary to report the injury accurately and completely. Talk to the injured employee. You need specifics on how, when and where the accident took place. Be objective, not accusatory. Find out whether anyone witnessed the injury. This can be a valuable source of details about the accident. Talk to the injured employee. You’ll also need to get the injured employee’s personnel file to obtain information needed to complete the First Report of Injury. If the injury is serious, call the Fund immediately. A nurse consultant may be assigned, and a claims investigation may be instigated, especially in the event the accident involved a third party or faulty equipment. Preserve evidence. If you suspect an accident occurred because of faulty equipment, secure the equipment immediately. If you can, takes photos of the scene as soon as possible. 4. Fill out the First Report of Injury (FROI) Be as accurate and complete as possible when you fill out the First Report of Injury. The form should be completed by the employer, not the employee or medical provider. If you question whether an injury is work-related, have additional information, or want the Fund to consider an investigation, attach a note to the form. 5. Send the First Report of Injury to the Fund A First Report of Injury must be completed within 10 days from the date of knowledge of an injury. It is the employer’s responsibility to secure the information from the injured worker after receiving notification that an injury has occurred. Although it is desirable, it is not necessary to obtain the employee’s signature on the form, if obtaining that signature delays the filing of the claim. A claim cannot be opened and a claim number assigned by the Fund until the FROI is received. 6. Follow the process Remain aware of the employee’s claim and its status. Read any notices or correspondence you receive from the Fund about the claim. Show concern for the injured worker. Workers who are injured on the job often experience anxiety about the injury and their treatment, and its adverse impact on their job, economic status and family. Through early and frequent contact with the injured worker, the employer and Fund can calm those fears. This is often a significant factor in promoting prompt recovery, early return to work and a reduction in total claims costs.
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