Written by: Patrick Howell, CEO, HealthWorks Medical, LLC
Why This Matters
Work comp costs are rising—and often, it’s not because of the injury itself. It’s because of missteps in how employers respond. A simple error in documentation, treatment delays, or miscommunication can turn a minor incident into a major expense.
At HealthWorks Medical, we’ve seen the best and worst of work comp practices. That’s why we’re sharing the top 5 mistakes we see most often—so you can avoid them and keep your workforce protected.
Mistake #1: Delaying Injury Reporting
The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets. Delayed reporting leads to:
- Slower healing and longer time off work
- Higher claim costs
- Red flags for insurance auditors
What to Do Instead: Create a clear internal process for immediate injury reporting. Include your HR team, supervisor, and your occ health provider.
Mistake #2: Sending Injured Employees to an ER Instead of Occ Health
Unless it’s a true emergency, the ER isn’t your best option. You’ll end up with higher bills, lost work time, and minimal follow-up care.
What to Do Instead: Build a relationship with an occupational health provider who understands your job requirements and return-to-work goals.
Mistake #3: Poor Documentation of Incidents
Failing to accurately document the who, what, when, where, and how of an incident leaves you open to disputes and higher claim exposure.
What to Do Instead: Standardize your incident report forms. Train managers to document quickly and thoroughly, and review the form with the employee while memories are fresh.
Mistake #4: No Light Duty or Return-to-Work Program
Without modified duty, injured employees sit at home, potentially worsening the injury and driving up costs.
What to Do Instead: Develop a return-to-work policy that offers light-duty options. Work with your occ health provider to align restrictions with available tasks.
Mistake #5: Not Following Up with Your Employee
A lack of communication post-injury often leads to disengagement, lawyer involvement, and lost trust.
What to Do Instead: Stay in touch. A quick check-in goes a long way. Let your employee know you care and are supporting their recovery and safe return.
Takeaway
Avoiding these five common pitfalls won’t just save you money—it will create a culture of safety, trust, and accountability in your workplace.
Want a Free Work Comp Strategy Review?
HealthWorks Medical is offering complimentary work comp reviews to help employers identify weaknesses and reduce claim costs in 2025.
✉️ Click here to email us “WORK COMP REVIEW” and schedule your strategy session.
We’ll provide a custom report and recommendations tailored to your worksite.