Tips to Decrease Workers' Compensation Claims Against your Business

As a business owner, it's important to protect your venture with workers' compensation insurance. In fact, it's required by law to carry on your employees. While this insurance is in place to help cover the financial burden if an employee gets hurt at work, there are further steps you can take to help reduce the chance of a workers' compensation claim against your business. Our experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to point out some easy ways you can better protect your venture.

Require Thorough Training with New Hires

When hiring someone to join your team, ensure they have been shown the proper safety protocol for all tasks. This is important to show how safety is a top priority for your new staff members. Putting an emphasis on safety can help make it clear from the start of their employment that you take the safety of your employees seriously. Take the extra time to explain in detail the safety regulations you have within your company. Ensure each new employee fully understands what the safety protocol is and why it is in place. Some employees may not take a safety regulation as seriously until they hear why it is a regulation in the first place.

Look for Safety Improvements

Let your staff know that you are always on the lookout for safety improvements. Sometimes the people who do the job on a daily basis can have great input for safety ideas to add to your company's protocol. Try to be open to employees to report faulty equipment. Let your staff know that you want to know when a piece of equipment is starting to fail, as this is a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed right away. It can be easy to verbally stress about the money required to fix equipment, but try to keep that kind of talk out of the workplace. It may discourage employees from reporting a safety concern if they know it'll end up costing more money for the business to properly fix it, if they believe money is an issue.

Conduct Regular Safety Training

Ensure your staff has regular training sessions to promote safety. Cover any new safety protocol and review your current procedures. This can help ensure that safety is top of mind for all of your employees. While most new employees receive safety training during their initial training, it's best to have a refresher course on a regular basis.

Encourage a Strong Team Environment

Encourage all of your staff members to look out for one another. If your team has a strong bond, they are more likely to care about the safety of one another. Keeping someone safe is important to all employees and the company as a whole. Also, a co-worker may be able to help point out a safety concern to a fellow employee in real-time and help prevent an unnecessary injury.

If your business has a workers' compensation claim, Gibbons Law Firm is here to help. We can help advise you as you gather the necessary documentation for you to best present your side of the case. Our workers' compensation lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks has experience in this legal realm and is here to help you better protect your business venture!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

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Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Top Workers Compensation Claims and How to Protect Against Them

A workers compensation claim can be detrimental to your business if you don't have the right precautions in place. As a business owner, it's required to provide workers compensation insurance for your employees. This can help cover injuries, should someone get injured in the workplace. Our Lake of the Ozarks law firm knows how important this coverage is, as accidents at work happen more than one might think. Below are some of the most common workers compensation claims to watch out for around your business.

Top Workers Compensation Claims:

Strains and Sprains 

Doing a job-specific motion over and over can cause wear and tear on employee's joints. This puts strains and sprains at the top of the list for workers compensation claims. Know the type of motions and work your employees are doing and provide items to help avoid injury.

Cuts or Punctures 

Many workplaces have dangerous objects around. Falling against a sharp corner or other object can actually cut or puncture the skin. Encourage employees to keep an eye out for this type of object that can cause injury.

Contusions

A contusion (or bruise) is another common workplace injury. A severe bruise can be very painful and commonly caused by a fall. In your workplace, work hard to avoid any tripping or slipping hazards to help avoid employees falling.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a common bodily response to injury. Inflammation can actually be painful and may prevent an employee from being able to work. Work hard to create a safe work environment to avoid workers getting injured and/or inflamed.

Fractures

Broken Bones or fractures do unfortunately happen on the clock. Usually caused by falling or being hit with an object, ensure your workplace is safe and employees know the proper protocol for safety to help avoid as many fractures as possible.

How to Protect Against Workers Compensation Claims:

Train On Safety Often

Ensure your staff has regular training sessions to promote safety. Cover any new safety protocol and review your current procedures. This can help ensure that safety is top of mind for all of your employees. While most new employees receive safety training during their initial training, it's best to have a refresher course on a regular basis.

Go Over Safty Protocol with New Employees

When hiring someone to join your team, ensure they have been shown the proper safety protocol for all tasks. This is important to show how safety is a top priority for your new staff members. Putting a high importance on safety can help make it clear from the start of their employment that you take the safety of your employees seriously. Take the extra time to explain in detail the safety regulations you have within your company. Also, ensure each new employee fully understands what the safety protocol is and why it is in place.

Look for Safety Improvements

Let your staff know that you are always on the lookout for safety improvements. Sometimes the people who do the job a daily basis can have great input for safety ideas to add to your company's protocol. Try to be open for employees to report faulty equipment. Let your staff know that you want to know when a piece of equipment is starting to fail, as this is a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed right away.

Let Employees Be Your First Line of Defense

Encourage all of your staff members to look out for one another. If someone notices a lack of safety, please encourage them to report this. Keeping someone safe is important to all employees and the company as a whole. Also, a co-worker may be able to help point out a safety concern to a fellow employee in real-time and help prevent an unnecessary injury.

A workers compensation claim can put a damper on things but with the right kind of protection, your business will be covered from workplace injury lawsuits. Our workers compensation attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help protect your business, should you be facing a workers comp case. Give Gibbons Law Firm a call today to discuss your business' legal needs.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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An Employee Gets Injured On The Job – NOW WHAT?

As an employer, you likely have precautions in place to help prevent workplace injuries near the Lake of the Ozarks. A workers compensation policy, training for new employees, and regular training for current employees -- these are all ways employers try to protect their employees. Our personal injury attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks knows that even with all of these precautions in place, workplace injuries do occur. If an employee is injured on the job, it's important that the business owner or manager take swift action. Take a look below to learn what steps you should take if someone is injured at work.

Seek Medical Attention

If someone is injured at work, ensure they seek medical attention right away. If needed, call an ambulance to help tend to the injured employee. If their injuries don't seem so bad, encourage them to visit a doctor to be sure everything is okay. It's important that any medical attention and treatments are documented. Ensure your employee lets the medical center know this injury occurred at work. This can help with the workers compensation filing process.

Report Workplace Injury

If you are a manager, report the injury to your supervisor or business owner. Now is time to file injury with your workers comp company. A representative from the company can help walk you through the procedures needed to complete the claim. It's important that you file the documentation promptly to get the process rolling for your workers comp claim. This will also help speed along the process for your employee to get financial assistance needed to cover their medical expenses from the work injury.

Know Your Rights

As a business manager or owner, it's important to know your rights in a workers compensation case. If you are worried about a recent workplace injury, you'll likely want to seek legal representation to ensure your business is protected and your rights as a business owner are respected.

If you, unfortunately, have an employee injured on the job and are being sued, it's best to find an experienced lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks to help you navigate your next steps. Here at Gibbons Law Firm, we pride ourselves on offering legal advice for area businesses going through similar situations.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Steps to Take if Your Are Injured At Work

An employer takes certain precautions to keep employees safe. Safety procedures and practices, workers compensation insurance, consequences for breaking safety protocol are just a few of the ways employees work to protect their employees. Although many precautions are in place, work injuries do occur. If you are injured on the clock, it's important to take the proper steps for your situation. Take a look below to learn more about each step.

As your personal injury lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, it's important to know your rights as an employee who has been hurt on the job. Here at Gibbons Law Firm, we can help ensure your rights are being respected and you get the proper care you deserve.

Report Injury to Supervisor

As soon as an accident occurs, injury or not - report it to your supervisor. If an accident with no injury is reported, it can help prevent future injuries due to the same or similar situation. If an injury does occur, this needs to be reported as soon as possible. Your manager or boss will need to file an accident report with their workers compensation company. The quicker this gets rolling, the faster a resolution to your claim will come about.

Seek Medical Treatment

If needed, seek medical treatment for your injury right away. When you seek treatment, be sure the injury is documented as a work-related injury. This being noted in the paperwork can help represent your case, if needed. Follow instructions for your injury as closely as possible and don't return to work until you have been cleared by a medical professional.

Find Legal Representation

As you file your workers compensation claim, you may run into a manager or supervisor brushing off your injury. If you don't feel like your injury is being taken seriously, you may have a workers compensation claim at the Lake of the Ozarks. At this point or at any point you run into trouble filing your claim, it may be time to speak with a workers compensation lawyer in mid-Missouri.

Now that you know the steps to take if you are injured on the job, you're more prepared as you go to work each day. If you are unfortunately injured at work near the Lake of the Ozarks and feel like you aren't being treated fairly, contact our lawyer. We can help you walk through your situation and determine if legal representation could be of benefit to your case. Remember, your first consultation with our Lake of the Ozarks law firm is always free.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Tips to Protect Your Small Business From a Workers Compensation Claim

Owning a small business takes a lot of time and energy. As a business owner, you are likely looking for ways to reduce the chance of being involved in legal litigation. Here at Gibbons Law Firm, we understand your time and energy is best spent focusing on your business at hand. That's why we've dedicated this week's blog to showcasing a few ways you can help reduce the chance of your business being involved in a workers compensation lawsuit.

Properly Train Employees

When a new employee comes to work for your business, ensure they have the proper training on every aspect of the job they will be doing. The right training can help reduce the chance of an employee being involved in an accident at work. Take the time to explain why each protocol is in place to help your new employees better understand the dangerous potential of the job.

Clearly Mark Dangerous Areas

Use caution tape on the floor to mark hazardous areas in your business. If certain places are reserved for only approved personnel, mark these areas clearly to help eliminate any confusion. Also, be sure to use any signage to let employees and customers know about a potentially hazardous situation. If you have just mopped, make sure you have a wet floor sign marking the area!

Perform Regular Safety Checks

The daily tasks you and your employees perform can quickly become routine. Always have a constant eye out for a potential hazard that may present itself for your employees. Supervisors should perform safety checks on a regular basis to ensure all potentially dangerous situations are accounted for and well known.

Continually Educate About Employee Safety

It's a good idea to do regular training on workplace safety for your employees. This can help keep safety protocol top of mind as your workers complete their daily tasks. Even if your employees have the safety protocol down, it's important to perform a refresher course every now and then.

Ensure Employees Use Proper Safety Procedures

There are a number of safety procedures in place for all lines of work. Whether it's wearing the proper harness for employees on a boom truck or wearing a hard hat on a construction site, it's important that your employees practice proper safety procedures on a daily basis. Keep an eye out for employees and ensure they use the right safety protocol each and every day.

Establish an Open Door Policy

Employees should be encouraged to report any dangerous or potentially dangerous situations in the workplace. Your workers are doing the tasks on a daily basis and may notice a situation that may be a hazard before anyone else. Let your employees know you are open to hearing about potential dangers AND ideas of how to overcome these situations.

As your experienced business attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, we know how important it is for a business owner to be able to put their energy toward running the business. By helping to avoid legal issues, you can use your time and energy doing what you love. If you do have a workers compensation claim against your business, it's important to have a lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks on your side. Contact our Lake of the Ozarks attorney TODAY to learn how we can help you navigate the legal landscape that is often involved with owning a business.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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