Workers’ compensation. It means extra costs, paperwork, and headaches for both employers and employees just trying to move forward. But these difficulties are inevitable, right?
At Axiom, we can confidently say no, workers’ comp doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. Let’s dive into proven ways to effectively prevent claims, reduce expenses, and keep employers safe.
1. Check In Before It’s A Claim
Hi, How Are You? It’s a simple question that can save a lot of trouble. Talking to employees – about how the job is going and how they’re doing personally, could alert you to issues that might snowball later. Is Jim feeling distracted after his divorce? Is Susan’s knee acting up on the job again? Address the physical and mental health of employees before they escalate to recordables.
2. Focus on Fatigue
It’s true: being tired is just part of being an adult. But being too tired, especially for too long, can lead to injuries that result in workers’ comp claims. Axiom’s research shows that fatigue and stress have a moderate-to-high correlation with workplace incidents, largely due to reduced focus and reaction time. Encourage employees to take time off if they are suffering from fatigue, and use a screening tool, like Axiom’s Injury Risk Calculator, to avert impending accidents.
3. Heed the Critical Hour
A 60-minute timer starts as soon as an injury occurs. When the hour is up, unreported injuries, even those that appear minor, often worsen. A delay in reporting by one day can increase the chances of an OSHA recordable outcome by 60%! Consider the case of John Doe and Jane Smith. Both experienced lower back discomfort after lifting a 50 lb. box. John waited until Monday to report and was diagnosed with lumbar strain which led to a 15-day recovery. Jane reported right away and was able to use first aid measures and cold therapy over a 3-day recovery. Encouraging prompt reporting can lead to more outcomes like Jane’s and fewer like John’s. Do everything you can to encourage your employees to report injuries ASAP.
4. Proactive Injury Management
As realists, we know that even if you are following steps 1-3, an injury that involves workers’ comp may still occur. If this happens, you shouldn’t just throw your hands up and let the cycle continue. Instead, partner with a solution like Axiom, where medical professionals specializing in workers’ compensation guide employers and injured employees through the red tape while actively monitoring injury progress.
5. Tailor the Return-to-Work
Before stepping back into the saddle, sometimes an injured cowboy needs to start out with a gentler horse better suited to their current abilities. Likewise, an employee returning from injury leave may require some modifications to their job duties. Luckily, Axiom’s medical professionals understand your industry and the daily demands of the job, offering expert guidance tailored to your employees’ needs. Because what’s worse than a workers’ comp claim? Two workers’ comp claims!
We at Axiom have developed a data-driven approach to tackling a challenge that profoundly impacts both organizations and individuals. Want to learn more about early intervention that works, smarter program design, and fraud detection in action? We’ve got you covered with our webinar Winning Strategies for Reducing Workers’ Comp Expenses, featuring Axiom’s Dr. Scott Cherry and special guest Marci De Vries-Todtz, P.I. from Fraud Sniffr. Register now for our webinar on July 10, 2025, at 1 PM Central Time.
Cain Boney is a contributor to Axiom Medical’s blog. With a career dedicated to writing about the workplace, Cain focuses on how employee well-being affects organizational success and sustainability in the long term.