Workers’ Compensation Claims During the Pandemic

​The ongoing pandemic creates a continuous set of challenges for businesses in all sorts of ways, including the sudden potential increase of occupational illnesses. The impact on systems in workers’ compensation may prove to be significant, such as surges in claims frequency and added burdens in administration for employers.

Myriad Sources of Claims
Employers should also prepare themselves for a possible claim increase due to the factors below:

• New Hires
  Despite having the varied spread of new challenges for businesses, some hire new staff to meet the rise in demand for particular services and products. However, letting them operate in a working environment that is unfamiliar to them, especially with little or barely any time for training and orientation in safety, could be more vulnerable to injuries in the workplace.
  
  
• Telecommunication
  Employers often handle the same risky exposure to injuries related in the workplace regardless of whether their people are working at home or on company premises. However, employers also face additional obstacles when employees telecommunicate, including a lapse in seeing improper equipment use, work environments, and distractions at home.
  
  The said challenges may be due to the current pandemic that contributed to the potentially growing mental stress and anxiety, which forces plenty of employees to share workspaces with children, pets, spouses, and other family members.

Delayed Claims Resolutions
Adding to an increase in claim frequency in particular sectors, employers have the necessary preparation for pending and existing claims to be open for an extended period. Across the country, the board offices of the state’s workers’ compensation remain closed. However, there are still virtually conducted hearings, but many also risk getting postponed.

There are also limited claim resources such as field investigative services and independent medical exams.

Path Forward
Professionals that handle risk should also cooperate with their insurers and TPAs (third-party administrators) to develop detailed and vibrant plans to manage the potential claim increase. Despite limited resources, insurers, TPAs, and employers should exert effort together to guarantee a thorough investigation in claims.

During the health crisis, having outreach to struggling workers is crucial as ever. The process for workers’ compensation can be challenging to navigate for injured employees. Employers should consider adopting an advocacy approach to claims in workers’ compensation that prioritizes education, communication, and transparency.

At Cornerstone Insurance Agency, we do our best to ensure that our clients are well-protected with affordable and comprehensive policies. We make sure to go the extra mile to help you with your needs. To learn more about how we can help you, please contact our agency at (888) 661-8831​ or Click Here to request a free quote.