Watch for red flags during investigations

Employers seeking to better manage their workers' comp dollars should be on the lookout for signs of potential trouble, suggest several workers' comp practitioners.

Speaking at the recent Risk and Insurance Management Society's annual conference in Philadelphia, the panelists identified the following as red flags:

Late report of an injury.
Reporting an injury on a Monday morning.
Inconsistencies of statements by the injured worker and witnesses.
Preexisting conditions reported as part of the injury.

In addition to indicating a claimant has injuries unrelated to the workplace, many red flags can also be a sign of comorbidities that can drive up claims costs. Knowing of preexisting conditions can lead to better claims management, thus lowering overall costs.

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May 21, 2012

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