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Companies hoping to protect their businesses and employees must choose the right workers’ compensation insurance plan. By assessing their business needs with a thorough evaluation of their company's size, industry, and the nature of their employees' work, they can get a head start determining the coverage level necessary to protect their business fully. 

Here are the following steps:

Understand Your Coverage Options

Not all workers' compensation plans offer the same coverage. When evaluating plans, look for these essential coverage elements:

1. Medical Expenses: Covers costs for emergency room visits, surgeries, and prescriptions related to work injuries
   
   
2. Disability Benefits: Provides financial support for employees who become temporarily or permanently disabled due to work-related incidents
   
   
3. Vocational Rehabilitation: Offers training and support to help injured workers return to work or find new employment if they can't return to their previous role
   
   
4. Funeral Costs: In case of work-related fatalities, the plan should cover funeral expenses

Do a Cost vs. Benefit Analysis

When evaluating the costs and benefits of workers' compensation insurance, consider several factors:

Cost Factors

• Industry and Risk Level: High-risk industries like construction and manufacturing face higher premiums.
  
  
• Payroll Size: Premiums are calculated based on payroll, with larger payrolls generally resulting in higher overall premiums.
  
  
• Claims History and Experience Modification Rate (EMR): A history of frequent or excessive claims typically leads to higher premiums.
  
  
• Geographic Location: Costs vary by state due to regulations and cost of living differences.
  
  
• Employee Classification: Employees are assigned classification codes based on job duties, which affect premium rates.

Benefits

1. Employee Protection: Covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages for work-related injuries or illnesses.
   
   
2. Legal Compliance: Meets state requirements for business operation.
   
   
3. Financial Security: Protects businesses from potentially costly lawsuits and medical expenses.
   
   
4. Employee Retention: Demonstrates commitment to employee well-being, improving morale and retention.

Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Accurate Classification: Ensure employees are correctly classified to avoid overpaying.
   
   
2. Safety Programs: Implement workplace safety initiatives to reduce accidents and potentially lower premiums.
   
   
3. Regular Policy Reviews: Conduct periodic reviews to ensure coverage reflects current business operations.
   
   
4. Compare Quotes: Obtain quotes from multiple providers to find the best rates.
   
   
5. Consider Deductibles: Higher deductibles may lower premiums, but make sure you can afford out-of-pocket costs if a claim occurs.

By carefully weighing these costs and benefits, businesses can make informed decisions about their workers' compensation insurance while ensuring adequate coverage.

Confirm the Provider’s Reputation and Reliability

When choosing an insurance provider, look for companies with positive customer reviews and check their financial stability ratings (e.g., AM Best ratings). Consider the provider's experience in your industry.

Since a smooth claims process is crucial, evaluate the provider's claims handling procedures. Look at their customer service quality and responsiveness and the availability of risk management and safety resources.

We Can Help Your Company with Workers’ Comp Insurance

Looking for an experienced and reliable workers’ compensation insurance agency? Contact American Insuring Group online, or call (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848. Our independent agents will find you the perfect policy at an excellent price. Contact us today to get started!

Worker's compensation insurance is a mandatory form of coverage for most employers that protects them and their employees and in case of work-related injuries or illnesses. It provides medical care and cost coverage, partial wage replacement, and other benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses. The coverage is mandated by state governments, with benefits varying from state to state.

State-specific Requirements

Workers' compensation benefits vary by state but generally include:

1. Medical care coverage for work-related injuries or illnesses
2. Wage replacement for lost income during recovery
3. Temporary and permanent disability benefits
4. Rehabilitation and occupational therapy
5. Death benefits for survivors in case of fatal injuries

Pennsylvania's specific benefits are:

• A maximum weekly compensation rate of $1,273 (as of 2023)
• Coverage for all necessary medical treatment, including hospitalization, prescriptions, and orthopedic appliances
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits for workers with a disability rating of 35% or less
• Compensation for permanent loss or loss of use of particular body parts or functions

It's important to remember that these benefits are subject to certain limitations and conditions and may be modified based on changes in the worker's medical status or return-to-work offerings.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Penalties for non-compliance with worker's compensation insurance requirements in Pennsylvania are severe and include both criminal and civil consequences:

Criminal Penalties

• Misdemeanor charges: Up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine for each day without coverage
• Felony charges for intentional violations: Up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine
• Each day without coverage counts as a separate offense

Civil Penalties

• Injured workers can sue their employers for damages, potentially exceeding standard worker's compensation benefits
• Liability for all compensation, medical expenses, and damages in case of employee injuries

With some of the strictest rules in the nation regarding worker's compensation non-compliance, Pennsylvania's penalties are a strong deterrent to ensure employers maintain proper coverage for their employees.

Exemptions

In Pennsylvania, several categories of workers are exempt from mandatory worker’s compensation coverage:

• Federal employees, railroad workers, and longshoremen (covered under other worker’s compensation acts)
• Domestic servants (coverage is optional)
• Agricultural workers who work fewer than 30 days or earn less than $1,200 in a calendar year from one employer
• Casual workers whose employment is not in the regular course of the employer's business
• Employees granted an exemption due to religious beliefs
• Executive officers who have been granted exclusion by the Department of Labor and Industry
• Sole proprietors and general partners (unless they elect to be covered)
• Volunteer workers
• Certain licensed real estate salespersons or associate real estate brokers
• Persons who work from their own homes or other premises not under the control of the employer, performing specific tasks on materials given to them

Although these workers are exempt from mandatory coverage, some employers may still provide worker’s compensation insurance to attract talent and avoid potential lawsuits.

Don’t Overpay for Your Worker’s Compensation Insurance

Find the right worker's comp insurance coverage for your business at the right price; contact American Insuring Group online or call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 to get started.

Worker's compensation insurance provides financial assistance and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Employers and employees should understand the costs associated with worker's compensation since these costs impact organizational budgets and influence the welfare and recovery of the workforce.

The fundamental components include direct expenses, such as insurance premiums, medical care, and wage replacement benefits, and indirect costs, such as loss of productivity, training replacement workers, and potential legal fees.

A comprehensive grasp of these financial elements helps organizations manage risks effectively while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, ultimately supporting a safer and more secure working environment.

Premium Factors

Several factors influence the calculation of workers' compensation premiums:

• The primary factor is the industry classification, which assesses risk levels based on the nature of the work; industries with higher risk of injury, such as construction and manufacturers, typically face higher premiums.
  
  
• The employer's claims history also plays a critical role since a record of frequent claims elevates premiums because of a perceived higher risk.
  
  
• Payroll size is considered, with higher payrolls generally leading to higher premiums, as they reflect the number of employees covered.
  
  
• Additionally, the experience modification rate (EMR), which compares a company's claim history with industry norms, adjusts premiums based on past performance.
  
  
• Safety programs and workplace conditions also affect premiums, as foresighted risk management might lead to discounts.

How to Reduce Costs

Companies looking to decrease worker’s compensation costs should have a strategic plan and a proactive approach to workplace safety. One effective method is implementing comprehensive safety training programs to help prevent accidents and injuries. Regular safety audits and inspections can identify potential hazards early, allowing for timely corrective measures.

Encouraging a culture of safety and open communication ensures that employees feel responsible for maintaining their work environment. Employers can also consider modifying work processes or investing in ergonomic equipment to reduce injury risks.

Managing claims efficiently by providing prompt medical care and facilitating a smooth return-to-work process can minimize downtime costs. Additionally, exploring alternative insurance options and negotiating with insurance providers may yield more favorable premium rates, benefiting the company's bottom line.

Comparing Providers

To effectively compare providers and reduce worker's compensation costs, companies should consider the following steps:

• Gather detailed quotes from multiple insurance carriers, focusing on the premium rates and coverage options.
  
  
• Evaluate each insurer's reputation, financial stability, and customer service record for reliability and the likelihood of smooth claims processing.
  
  
• Examine the extra services, such as risk management consulting or safety training programs.
  
  
• Compare the flexibility of different plans regarding deductibles and coverage limits, as it allows companies to tailor policies to their specific needs.
  
  
• Consult with insurance brokers or advisors specializing in worker's compensation. This step can provide expert insights and a thorough comparison.

Contact Us to Lower Your Workers Compensation Insurance Costs

To find the right workers comp insurance for your business at the right price, contact American Insuring Group online or call us at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848 to get started!

Worker's compensation insurance provides injured employees financial security and peace of mind. It covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs, ensuring a quicker recovery. For employers, it minimizes legal liabilities and promotes a safer work environment, enhancing overall workplace morale and productivity.

Employee Medical Costs Covered

Worker's compensation provides comprehensive coverage for employee medical costs incurred from work-related injuries or illnesses. Once an employee files a claim and it's approved, the worker's compensation insurance covers the necessary medical treatments. This coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, and physical therapy required for recovery. The goal is to ensure employees receive proper care without worrying about the financial burden.

Additionally, worker's compensation often includes coverage for medical devices, such as prosthetics or wheelchairs, if needed for the injury or illness. It may also cover transportation costs to and from medical appointments. By alleviating the financial strain of medical expenses, worker's compensation allows employees to focus on recovery and return to work sooner.

Employers also benefit because covered employees generally have access to streamlined, efficient medical care, reducing downtime and promoting a quicker, healthier return to productivity within the organization.

Legal Liability Protection

Legal liability protection from worker's compensation significantly reduces the risk of lawsuits related to workplace injuries or illnesses by providing a structured system for addressing these issues. Employees who accept worker's compensation benefits typically forfeit the right to sue the employer for additional damages related to the injury. This trade-off, known as the "compensation bargain," helps to protect employers from costly legal claims and the uncertainties of litigation.

The system shields employers from direct lawsuits and establishes a predictable method for handling employee claims, resulting in more controlled financial planning and stability. It also encourages employers to maintain safer work environments to minimize accidents, ultimately reducing claims and enhancing workplace safety. By promoting a balanced approach, employers and employees gain from a standardized process that supports recovery and minimizes potential legal conflicts.

Support for Injured Employees

Worker's compensation supports injured employees by providing essential financial and medical assistance during their recovery. Once a claim is approved, it covers various medical expenses, including doctor visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation, ensuring employees receive the necessary care without incurring personal costs.

It also compensates for lost wages by providing temporary disability payments, helping injured employees maintain financial stability while unable to work. This support aims to reduce stress, allowing employees to focus on healing. If an injury results in permanent impairment, worker's comp may also provide long-term benefits to manage ongoing challenges.

Worker's compensation prioritizes health and financial well-being, enabling employees to recover effectively and return to work with minimal disruption.

We Can Help Your Company with Worker’s Comp Insurance

Looking to reduce your worker’s compensation insurance costs? Contact American Insuring Group online, or call (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848. Our independent agents will find you the perfect policy at an unbeatable price. Contact us today to get started!

In states such as Pennsylvania, worker's compensation insurance safeguards employers and employees by providing essential coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, disability benefits, and death benefits arising from workplace injuries. Understanding what it covers, who needs it, and how it protects your business can help you navigate the complexities of maintaining a safe and legally compliant work environment.

What Worker’s Compensation Insurance Covers

Worker's compensation insurance protects workers and business owners by covering the costs associated with workplace injuries or illnesses. It primarily covers medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation services necessary for the employee's recovery.

Additionally, it pays for lost wages if the employee cannot work due to their injury or illness, ensuring they have financial support during their recovery period.

The insurance also includes disability benefits, which can be short-term or long-term, depending on the severity of the injury. In cases where the injury leads to death, worker's compensation insurance offers death benefits to the dependents or beneficiaries of the deceased employee.

Who Needs Worker’s Compensation Coverage?

Worker's compensation insurance is essential for employers, freelancers, and high-risk industries. Employers are almost always legally obligated to provide this coverage, ensuring employees are protected from workplace injuries or illnesses. This legal requirement varies by state but generally applies to most businesses with employees.

Freelancers and independent contractors might also need worker's compensation insurance, mainly if they work in high-risk fields or have clients requiring proof of coverage. High-risk industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, have a higher incidence of workplace injuries, making worker's compensation insurance especially necessary.

The coverage ensures regulatory compliance and demonstrates a commitment to employee welfare, which can enhance trust and loyalty within the workforce.

How Does Worker’s Compensation Insurance Protect Your Business?

This essential insurance provides a safety net that protects businesses in several ways. First and foremost, it offers legal protection by shielding the company from expensive lawsuits related to workplace injuries or illnesses. If an employee gets hurt on the job, the insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages, significantly reducing the risk of costly legal battles.

Another advantage is financial stability. By covering unexpected costs like medical bills and disability benefits, worker's compensation ensures that a business can manage these expenses without jeopardizing its economic health.

Also, worker's compensation insurance helps maintain high employee morale and loyalty. Employees feel more secure and valued when they know their employer has measures in place for their well-being and financial security.

Finally, worker's compensation insurance ensures regulatory compliance with state and federal laws, helping businesses avoid fines and penalties. Overall, it strengthens a business's reputation and operational stability.

Don’t Overpay for Worker's Compensation Insurance!

American Insuring Group offers cost-effective worker's compensation insurance from many competing insurance companies. We'll work hard to get you the best price on quality insurance for all your business needs.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect online.

The legal requirements for worker's compensation insurance can be confusing. Most businesses must take out these policies by law whenever they hire someone but there are differences between states, sectors, and companies. 

This post looks at state-specific requirements, penalties for non-compliance, and when you don’t need a policy. Here’s what you need to know: 

State-specific requirements 

States requiring coverage for all employees include California, New Jersey, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and New York. These don’t consider the number of employees you have, so insurance applies immediately. 

Other states require businesses to carry worker’s compensation insurance when they reach an employee threshold number. For example, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and South Carolina demand that employers get worker’s comp when they hire four or more employees. For Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia, it’s three or more, and for North Carolina and Wisconsin, it’s two or more. 

Some states have industry-specific requirements for worker’s compensation insurance that depend on the sector in which you operate. For instance, Michigan and Tennessee require construction worker’s compensation insurance regardless of the number of employees. 

Penalties for non-compliance

The penalties for non-compliance with worker’s compensation insurance regulations also vary considerably by state. Most have fines in place, and some threaten jail time. 

For instance, in California, it is a criminal offense to fail to provide worker’s compensation insurance. The state punishes people with up to a year in jail and fines between $10,000 and $100,000. 

New York also takes a tough stance. The state considers breaking the rules a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the violation. Fines go from $1,000 to $50,000 plus an additional $2,000 for each day without coverage. 

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest rules in the union and considers non-compliance with worker’s comp to be a felony of the third degree. The state imposes fines of up to $15,000 and up to seven years in jail. 

Florida takes a slightly different tack. It institutes a Stop-Work Order on companies found to be non-compliant and requires businesses to cease operations until they pay a fine and put proper insurance in place. Fines are usually twice the amount the employer would have spent on premiums over the preceding two years.

Lastly, in Illinois, employers who willfully fail to provide worker’s compensation insurance according to the rules face fines of $500 daily for non-compliance, with minimum penalties of $10,000. Furthermore, officers at companies failing to arrange insurance for their employees can be held personally liable. 

Exemptions

Despite the tough penalties for worker’s comp non-compliance, many states have exceptions. These include: 

• Sole proprietors and partners who don’t hire anyone and who aren’t official employees of the firm
• Workers who do not meet the definitional requirements of “employees” in some states
• Domestic workers and housekeepers without contracts or working undefined hours
• Independent contractors who aren’t employees (in some states)
• Businesses with less than the minimum employee threshold (as discussed)

Contact us For the Best Pricing on Worker's Compensation Insurance!

If you want guidance on the legal requirements for worker’s compensation insurance, contact our team. As independent brokers, we shop the market to find you the best deal on quality insurance!

So call us today at  (610) 775-3848 or contact us online to start saving.

Every year, 34% of all deaths on construction sites are attributable to falls, more than any other category. And whenever this happens, it is a tragedy for everyone involved, from owners to families of the deceased. However, construction insurance can protect against liability claims. Coverage compensates victims (if injured) or their next of kin if they die, letting you keep more money in your pocket.  

Of course, as a company manager or business owner, your goal is to reduce slips, trips and falls on your construction site as much as possible. You want to keep it safe for everyone. 

But how can you do that effectively? Let’s find out. 

Ensure Workers Wear Full Body Harnesses While Working Above Six Feet

The first (and most obvious) safety precaution is to get workers to wear full-body harnesses when working over six feet (as recommended by the OHSA). Reins should connect to an anchor point using tough nylon cords and feature deceleration devices that break falls if workers plummet to the ground. 

Guard Or Cover Holes, Opening, And Skylights

You also want to take precautions around any building features workers could fall through, such as holes, openings, and skylights as a construction site manager. Covering them with safe equipment is the best option and eliminates the possibility of tumbles. 

If you can’t do that, use guardrail systems to protect trips. Even if workers slip, they can grab onto bars instead of falling into a gap. 

Mark Hazardous Areas

At the same time, mark hazardous areas to make them more conspicuous for workers. Bright paint, warning signs, stickers, or additional lighting can help reduce risk. Site managers should communicate these known hazards to workers and explain their danger. Staff should understand the reasons for the safety precautions. 

Develop A Training Plan

You should also develop a training plan alongside any physical measures you implement to improve safety. Teaching employees about the risks they face helps them understand how to conduct themselves on-site safely. 

Training plans should include: 

• Talking about how the job will be done
• How to use safety equipment
• The essential safety equipment for specific types of works
• Mitigation strategies (such as covering skylights and leading edges)
• The value of fall prevention or mitigation systems

Keep Sites Clean And Organized

Finally, construction managers can reduce the risk of falls on construction sites by keeping them clean and clutter-free. Removing debris from walkways and clearing up spills promptly can protect workers and stop them from slipping or tripping over things. 

Be particularly mindful of power cords for machine tools. These are a significant hazard because workers can’t always correct themselves when they feel like they are about to fall. 

Once you start implementing these methods, you’ll notice the culture of your staff changes. Focusing on safety reduces risk-taking and subsequent claims against you while improving worker well-being. 

The Best Rates on Contractor Insurance

Contact American Insuring Group for the best rates on contractor and workers’ compensation insurance. As independent brokers, we shop the market to find you the best rates on quality insurance for contractors, construction companies, and builders. Contact us online or call (610) 775-3848 today!

The average cost of workers' compensation claims in the U.S. is a staggering $0.46 per employee per hour worked. Businesses are paying out billions of dollars every year to cover legal costs. However, workers’ compensation insurance can be affordable if companies take the right approach to forklift safety. Improving standards in warehouses, yards, and other building areas can reduce the risk of injury and keep premiums low. 

Here’s how you can improve forklift safety and reduce the risk of employees making claims: 

Ensure Employees Remain Two Meters (Or More) From Forklifts In Operation

One method is to ensure employees remain two meters or more from forklifts in operation. This practice in warehouses and yards reduces the risk of crush injuries where drivers reverse into people they can’t see behind them. It may make things less efficient in some warehouses. but it can be managed. Forklift drivers can alternate their activities with pickers to optimize their movements. 

Wear Hi-Vis Clothing

Forklift operators should also dress in appropriate workwear to protect themselves and be more conspicuous to other site users. High-visibility jackets, luminous hard hats, and safety shoes are a must. 

No Loading While Moving

Avoiding loading while moving is another essential. Forklift drivers should avoid any actions that might cause the vehicle to topple over (which can happen during loaded directional changes). If forklift drivers take risks at your business, institute training and a disciplinary policy. Drivers who break the rules should face consequences. 

No Rides

Forklift truck drivers should also avoid giving rides to other people in the workplace. While it might be convenient or fun for staff, it is also dangerous. If you notice employees taking rides on forklifts, initiate disciplinary action. Ensure you send a message to your team that this sort of behavior is prohibited. 

Maintain 360-Degree Visibility

Another way to reduce worker’s comp claims is to ensure forklift drivers are maintaining 360-degree visibility of their vehicles. Staff should have a view of the rack and loading position. The OHSA also recommends: 

• Looking in the direction of travel
• Making use of mirrors
• Using lights if working outdoors or at night
• Warning approaching staff and making eye contact with them

Implement Floor Markings

It can also help to implement floor markings to reduce risks further. These boundaries show where it is safe for pedestrians to wal(610) 775-3848k (similar to sidewalks on the public highway). Zones keep drivers and staff separate and prevent new hires from straying into dangerous areas. 

Observe Equipment Capacity

Lastly, companies can reduce the risk of costly payouts by observing equipment capacity and avoiding overloading. Forklifts can only carry so much until they topple over. When they do, the risk of serious crush injury and death is high. 

Start Saving on Workers Compensation Insurance

Stop spending a fortune on your WC insurance premiums. Our independent agents specialize in comparing rates from competing carriers to find you the best price on quality insurance protection. Call (610) 775-3848 or  Contact us online today for the best rates on worker's compensation insurance.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a severe uptick in the number of employees working remotely. While working from home offers many benefits to both employee and employer, it also introduces many safety challenges that can affect Workers' Compensation Insurance.

According to U.S.A. Today, approximately 22 million U.S. employees work from home all the time. That is roughly 14% of the adult workforce, and experts predict that by 2025, more than one in five Americans will work remotely.

Safety Challenges When Employees Work Remotely

"A fast-emerging concern is the long-term health and safety of people working at home," one expert states. "The slips, falls, and other accidents associated with in-person workplace injuries have migrated to home. Safeguards normally found in the workplace may be missing at home. Few home working spaces can replicate the environments of well-planned business spaces. Not all workers have access to a dedicated home office space, good chairs and desks, ergonomic monitors and keyboard placements, specialized lighting, [and] other office basics that help reduce accidents." In fact, household injuries have risen from a rate of 14.3% in 2017 to 28% in 2020. Most of these injuries are due to falls (32%) or cuts (11%).

People working from home also tend to work longer hours with fewer breaks, causing physical fatigue and injuries like carpal tunnel. Challenges in balancing work and home, in-home distractions, and the loss of collaboration with colleagues can increase stress and anxiety.

And finally, people working remotely have become the primary target for cyberattacks, which has risen 238% in volume since the beginning of the pandemic. Statistics show that 30% of remote workers don't get regular training from their employers, 44% engage in cybersecurity training once per year or less, and 75% pay for their home office-related costs.

6 Safety Tips for Remote Employees:

1. Regularly Communicate With Remote Workers
   Good communication lets your employees know what is happening, what is expected of them, what cyber threats to be aware of, and how to protect themselves when working remotely.
   
   
2. Provide Appropriate Training
   Appropriate training will be unique to each situation, but some examples may include home safety training, cyber-security training, and proper ergonomic training.
   
   
3. Encourage Regular Breaks
   When working remotely, it's more tempting to work through breaks and lunches than when working onsite. However, according to Michigan State University, "Skipping breaks can lead to faster burnout and higher stress levels. Employees stepping away from work for a few minutes increases their productivity, job satisfaction, mental health and well-being, and are overall more engaged in their work."
   
   
4. Consider Offering Stipends to Employees
   As mentioned above, 75% of remote employees pay for their home office-related costs. Providing a stipend to employees for things like ergonomic chairs, surge protectors, fire extinguishers, etc., can help minimize safety risks.
   
   
5. Address Workplace Ergonomics
   Typical workplace ergonomic issues include monitors that are too low, improperly used armrests, using phones without a headset, and more. Addressing these issues with training or stipends can help reduce many musculoskeletal disorders, such as tendonitis, tension neck syndrome, and carpal tunnel.
   
   
6. Create a Telecommuting Policy

   A telecommuting policy should outline the hours an employee will be working, list employer-owned equipment the employee can use outside the workplace, describe how employees should store and dispose of sensitive information, details about how work-related injury investigations will occur, etc.

Quality Worker's Compensation Insurance

At American Insuring Group, Ltd., we offer cost-effective worker's compensation insurance from many competing insurance companies. We work hard to get you the best price on quality insurance to protect your business and your employees, whether they work remotely or onsite.

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.

In Pennsylvania, almost every employer is required to carry Workers' Compensation (WC) Insurance for their employers. WC is a type of small business insurance that covers employees for work-related injuries. A typical Workers Comp policy pays lost wages and medical expenses incurred due to a work-related accident while also protecting the employer against accident-related lawsuits. According to Forbes, the average cost per $100 in payroll in 2020 was $1.19.

Most businesses need this crucial insurance to obey the law and to help protect their business and employees. While most employees are honest and most Workers' Comp claims are legitimate, Workers' Compensation insurance fraud does occur, increasing the cost of WC premiums.

What is Workers' Comp Fraud?

Experts estimate that WC insurance fraud costs companies $5 to $7 billion annually, representing 1-2% of all WC benefits paid. Fraud can be perpetrated by the employer, the insurance company, or the employee, and it can be claim or premium-related. According to a 2024 Marketdata report, claim-related fraud accounts for about 80% of the cases, and about 82% of claim and premium-related fraud is perpetrated by employees.

Employee claim-related fraud occurs when an employee provides false information on a claim, such as filing a claim for an injury that didn't happen, filing a claim for an injury or illness that is not work-related, exaggerating the severity of the injury, misrepresenting their ability to work, or filing a claim for an old injury that didn't heal.

One way to minimize the risk of Workers' Compensation fraud and lower Workers' Compensation costs is to investigate every workplace accident.

What is an Accident Investigation?

When a workplace accident occurs, it's in the employer's best interest to investigate the accident. Investigations provide many benefits, including identifying hazards and shortcomings in a business's safety and health programs, uncovering fraudulent claims, and lowering Workers' Compensation Insurance costs.

The PA DLI defines an accident (incident) Investigation as "An organized process using written procedures that are applied every time an accident occurs regardless of its severity."

Surveillance may be a part of any WC claim investigation, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. Social media is a cost-effective surveillance tool that investigators can use to help verify the legitimacy of a claim.

How Can Social Media Assist in Workers' Comp Claim Investigations?

"Social media is a part of everyday life for most internet users in the United States and is frequently used for socializing, business, and dating," Statista reports. "As of 2022, the United States had the third-largest social media audience worldwide, after China and India. The United States is home to over 302 million social media users at a social networking penetration rate of over 91 percent."

Facebook is the most popular social media platform, followed by YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. People of all generations frequently share information, photos, videos, and more on social media platforms.

Many people falsely believe that their social media accounts are private and that no one can see them. However, Aura reports, "In some cases, posts you share privately with friends or in private groups can be shared publicly without your permission. And if your friends don't follow the same stringent social media privacy settings that you do, this information could be accessed by anyone—even scammers and employers." Furthermore, everything posted on social media leaves a "paper trail." Social media is considered a public record in every state.

This makes social media a helpful tool when investigating WC claims. Investigators can gather information for free while in the comfort of their office. By searching the claimant's social media, investigators may find background information, monitor post-injury activities, discover information confirming or contradicting statements in the WC claim, and find evidence that the worker is lying about a disability or physical limitation.

While social media is a great tool, investigators should ensure they are using the tool ethically and that the information they are gathering is admissible.

Lower Your Workers' Compensation Insurance Costs

At American Insuring Group, Ltd., we offer cost-effective Workers' Compensation Insurance from multiple competing insurance companies. It's our mission to get you the best price on quality insurance to protect your employees and your business!

Call us today at (800) 947-1270 or (610) 775-3848, or connect with us online.