b"ealthandSafetNews Whatdo inFirst 24 tothe Hours Afteran Injury ReprintedwithPermissionStep 2:Get the employeeliftingandstanding.It'syour fromWorkers'Compensationmedical attention.responsibilitytodecideif that Cost Control, Volume 5, NumberTake the employee to alitymeans the employee is disabled qua8. Northeast Publishing Group,medical p it's best to takefrom performing available wo . roviderrk If Marine Industrial Park, PO Boxthe employee rather than allowingan employee sees his or her own 1659, Boston, MA 02205.Tele him or her to drive. It's imper doctor,the p sicianfuses ativeandhy rephone:800/229-2084to have made advance a nge tospecific restrictions, rra describe A Fortune500CEOrecentlymentswitha medical providerconsider sending the e oyee to mplremarked thatwere few cost who is familiar with thebsina d your own choosing. therejo octor of atandyour saving measures th present ayour facilitywithreturnbetter opportunity than the effortsto-work program.Step 5: D de whether to ecitaken ine24 hours after acontest the claim. th first workplaceinjury.Thosein theStep 3:Alert the doctor toAll the facts necessa to dryeterclaim business have long recog suspicious claims.mine a claim'ssability will compennizedtheopportunityinearlyIf there is anything suspiciousordinarily be a lable within the vaiintervention.Theinjuredabout the reported accident, or thefirst 24 hours. Ifsp the you su ect employee can be given reassur circumstances surrounding it,claim is not legitima and calltedrag ance, directed to proper medicalthe physician before the visit toouttheinvestigation,the let care, andto immedi him or her k .youemployee maya encouragednow Ifdevelopnega ately return to work in an alternatedonotalerttheliveattitudeorhirean pos o doctor to sus atto y. If theis iti n.rne case heateT first 24 hours is the bestpiciouscir ultim ly determined time to conduct an investigationcumstances,to be compensable, to determine compensability andthe employeeit'llbetoolateto appropriatepreventive actions.certa inlydevelop ative posiThese are the s ps an emp won't.Manypartnership with te loyer should take during that period:diagnosesthe employee. are based almostIf theim is claStep 1:Take the employee'sentirely on su not compens-bjecstatementtivedescriptionspro able,youmay Get astatement from thevidedbypatients,notonhave lost the opportunity to written in employeeimmediatelyobjectivemedicaltestingT gather critical evidence and have juredhe after the accide isrted andphysician may reach the wrongto accept the claim anntrepo yway. details before importantare for conclusionif heor sheisnot gotten. It will be the basis for cor awareof all thecircumstancesStep 6:Get the employee back rective safety actions. In claimssurrounding ated accident.to work. reporth are n legitimate, it d Reviewtherestrictionsp atotocu roments the employee's descriptionStep 4:Get work restrictionvided by the physiciandeterand of theinjuryandtheextent offrom a doctor.mineifajobisavailable. injuries.T employeecannotGet specific information fromUnquestionably,returningthe he later change an accident accountthe treating p ician on the diag injured employee to work by his hys or to improve the chances ofingnosis and any work restrictionsher next scheduled work shift is gettbenefits.not just vagueathe single most positive action an statements about disability. Aian's role is toemployer can take to minimize the physicd physicallimitationscost of the claim. Employees fal etermine nding, such as restrictions on be into two general categories: those 8"