When an injury occurs

You find out about a work injury
Responding to injuries begins with awareness, or "employer notice." This is when the claims coordinator, any supervisor or any manager becomes aware of an injury.


• That can be either verbally or in writing.

• Or it can come in less deliberate ways--like seeing an accident or
suspecting an injury.

This is important, because the day your organization becomes aware of an injury starts the clock ticking toward state law's deadlines by which benefits must be paid or denied.

Now that you are aware, you must respond. That includes reporting the injury to SFM right away--or within five days at most.

Your 'Five-Step Response'

(1) Duty to inquire.

If you see, hear about or suspect a work injury, don't ignore it. Ask questions.

Talk with the employee. Find out the "where, when and how." This is particularly important when either you or the employee is not sure whether the injury is work-related.

Document your conversation.

(2) Get the proper care.

For an emergency, call 911 or get the employee to an emergency care facility.

For a non-emergency, suggest the employee go to the clinic you should already have an established relationship with. If an employee needs to go to a clinic elsewhere, you can look up CorVel network providers at www.corvel.com.

Give your employee an SFM Worker's compensation insurance identification card so the provider knows it's a work-related injury and that SFM is the insurer. Copies are in the back pocket of the SFM Employer Kit already mailed to you as an SFM policyholder. For additional copies, order through the online "Resource catalog."

(3) Gather information.

You'll need to dig up the information necessary to report the injury accurately and completely.

Find out who, if anyone, witnessed the injury. That person can be a valuable source of details.

You'll also need to get the injured employee's personnel file, including:

• Wage information.

• Application for employment.

• Medical information.

• Date of birth.

If the injury is serious, call your claims representative right away so arrangements can be made to take photos of the accident site. If you can't do that, take photos of the accident site and any objects or broken machinery involved.

Save broken parts. The accident could be a result of faulty equipment, and broken parts may be useful in recovering costs from a third party, like the tool manufacturer.

(4) Fill out the First Report of Injury and wage statement form.

You'll need to be as accurate and complete as possible when you fill out the First Report and the WKC-13A "Wage Information Supplement" form.

SFM sometimes receives First Reports that lack vital information or are too
vague to determine whether the injury is compensable. "Employee fell" is not enough information to decide an employee is entitled benefits.

Pay close attention to dates. They need to be correct. A missing or wrong date can cause hassles later, especially if it involves timing requirements set by the state.

Be as complete as possible. If you get additional information after you have sent in the First Report, forward it to your claims representative immediately.

If you have sensitive information about the claim, do not include it on the First Report because the employee will be receiving a copy of it.

Instead, use the "Confidential comments " box on the online form or, if filling out a paper version, write the information on a separate sheet of paper and attach it to the First Report. Or call your claims representative.

(5) Send it to SFM within 24 hours.

Fatal or catastrophic injuries must be reported to SFM immediately.

All injuries should be reported to SFM within 24 hours. This ensures your claims representative will be able to investigate the injury and determine compensability within state deadlines. If you don't have all the required First Report or wage information within 24 hours, go ahead and report anyway. Your claims representative will follow up with you for needed specifics.

The fastest, most efficient way to report an injury to SFM is online at www.sfmic.com. You may also report via fax or telephone.

Whichever way you report the injury, you should receive a confirmation that SFM received your First Report of Injury.

If the injury involves the employee losing time from work and you've let SFM know that, then your claims representative will call you within 48 hours to discuss the claim. If you have not received a phone call or
letter within a week, call SFM to check whether your
First Report was received.