Winter 2005

Five Reasons You Should Report Every Workplace Injury

One of the most common questions policyholders ask during our free workers’ compensation workshops is, “Should I report every injury, even if it’s minor?” The answer is absolutely, and here are five reasons why:

1. The Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation requires employers to report injuries that result in one or more days of lost time to their carriers within eight days.

2. If you pay an injured worker’s medical bills out of your pocket, you may be paying more than the Texas Department of Insurance requires.

3. Some injuries, especially ergonomic injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, often get worse over time. The sooner the worker gets treatment, the better your chance of heading off a costly claim.

4. Texas Mutual^® loss prevention consultants monitor policyholders’ accident histories. If they identify trends in your workplace, they can help you correct them.

5. If Texas Mutual Insurance Company needs to investigate the claim, it is best that we do it before the accident scene changes and witnesses have time to influence each other.

How to report injuries
The best way to report injuries is by using our online injury reporting tool. You can also call us at (800) TX-CLAIM (892-5246), fax a completed Form DWC-1 to (877) 404-7999, or mail Form DWC-1 to Texas Mutual Insurance Company, Attn: Claims; P.O. Box 12029; Austin, Texas 78711-2029. Visit the Employers section at texasmutual.com to download Form DWC-1.

COMPNEWS - WINTER 2005
Health Care Network Option Coming Soon
Five Reasons You Should Report Every Workplace Injury
Cleaning Up Workplace Substance Abuse
President's Message
You Need to Know
Fraud Corner

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