SFM-The Work Comp Experts

September 8, 2022

If you have employees who work both remotely and on-site, there are some important legal and workplace safety considerations to be aware of.

September 8, 2022

SFM established a new scholarship program designed to identify and support future leaders and introduce them to rewarding careers in the insurance industry. The Bob Lund Scholarship is named for SFM’s former CEO, who is widely known for his service to the field of insurance and his continuing passion for making the world a better place.

June 9, 2022

Prevent heat-related illness among your employees with these tips and tools for working in extreme heat.

June 8, 2022

Read our ergonomics in the workplace tips to learn how to adjust your work space to allow for neutral posture at work; both in and out of the office.

May 24, 2022

SFM conducted an in-depth study of school employees in Minnesota to learn which employees were most likely to be injured, and how. What they learned might surprise you.

April 18, 2022

U.S. employers have the right to encourage or require employees to vaccinate against COVID-19. This raises the question of compensability for adverse reactions from the COVID-19 vaccine, and related medical treatment and time lost from work. A key factor for workers’ compensation compensability is whether the vaccination was required by the employer.

February 7, 2022

Minnesota’s workers’ compensation law has been temporarily amended to include a presumption of liability for certain workers with a positive COVID-19 laboratory test or clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 when a test is not available.

January 13, 2022

Just as eating fruits and vegetables can play an important role in physical health, research suggests there may be a similarly simple way to improve mental health – having a hobby.

November 10, 2021

Recent MN Supreme Court decisions create a new bright-line rule about the compensability of medical marijuana in workers’ compensation claims.

November 10, 2021

For PTSD to be covered by workers’ compensation, it must meet the criteria as described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

September 15, 2021

Winter slips and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries. As an employer, there’s a great deal you can do to prevent these injuries at your workplace.

September 13, 2021

A new artificial intelligence-powered tool helps loss prevention representatives quickly identify any high-risk body positions during a job task.

July 19, 2021

SFM’s claims representatives share their top tips for employers when dealing with workers’ compensation claims.

June 16, 2021

Fast, accurate injury reporting can reduce frustration for everyone involved. Watch out for these common mistakes.

May 5, 2021

SFM's most viewed blog posts cover important safety and workers' compensation claims topics.

April 29, 2021

Relatively short exposure to blue light can temporarily stimulate the brain and improve mood. Prolonged exposure, however, is likely to damage retinal cells over time.

April 29, 2021

A recent study by global staffing firm Robert Half indicates that workers may be suffering from video call fatigue. Among the 1,000 people surveyed, 76% said they participate in virtual meetings and that they spend about one-third of their workday in front of a camera.

April 29, 2021

When one of your employees is injured in the course and scope of employment and a negligent third party bears some responsibility, we can sometimes recover a portion or all of the workers’ compensation claim costs from the responsible party through subrogation.

February 3, 2021

What workers' compensation waiting periods are, what they mean for bringing employees back to work and how they differ between states.

January 26, 2021

You must report all workplace injuries to your workers’ compensation insurer, but in some cases you must also report injuries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

January 26, 2021

Your e-mod is used to calculate your workers’ compensation premium that’s based on your workers’ compensation claims experience.

January 20, 2021

Follow these four tips to reduce the risk of injuries while shoveling snow, so you can get back inside safely.

January 14, 2021

Using the “Step down, not out” method when getting out of a vehicle or stepping off a curb forces you to stand up or step flat footed, eliminating the chances of slipping.

December 29, 2020

Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese determined that an injury to a muscle in the rotator cuff is considered a shoulder injury for the purpose of determining permanent partial disability benefits.

December 29, 2020

The Minnesota Supreme Court addressed the rights of intervenors in workers’ compensation proceedings in the August 12, 2020, decision of Koehnen v. Flagship Marine Company and Auto Owners Insurance Company.

November 16, 2020

Keep employees safe by providing them training and personal protective equipment tailored to the specific chemicals they’re using.

November 9, 2020

SFM Foundation was featured on Kare11's "Communities that Kare" segment, showcasing the impact scholarships have made on families.

October 21, 2020

You hope a work injury doesn’t occur, but if one does, use this four-point accident analysis plan to investigate.

October 7, 2020

Reporting minor injuries helps create a record in case the injury becomes more severe. Incident-only claims won’t affect your premium.

September 8, 2020

Amid the frenzied transition for many people to work from home, some important aspects of a healthy workplace may have taken a backseat, such as mental health considerations, communication practices, ergonomic adjustments and general safety preparations.