When an employee is injured and files a workers’ compensation claim, their stress and anxiety often increase. For many, the process is new, and they may fear the unknown. After an injury, employees typically need more supervision and communication from their supervisor.
Set the Tone Early
After an injury occurs, schedule a meeting with the injured employee and their supervisor. Use this time to:
- Explain the claims process
- Set expectations for medical treatment
- Discuss return-to-work and light-duty options
Remember, the employer determines when, where, and how an employee returns to work—within the employee’s medical restrictions. This initial conversation often sets the tone for the entire recovery process.
Maintain Strong Communication
Stay in regular contact with both the employee and the medical provider. Be positive, supportive, and empathetic in all interactions.
A workplace culture that shows care and concern—starting from leadership—can improve outcomes. Employees who feel unsupported are more likely to stay off work longer or have prolonged claims.
Support the Injured Worker
Treat work-related injuries the same way you would treat any employee dealing with illness or injury outside of work—by staying connected and supportive.
- Avoid placing blame
- Show concern and respect
- Keep communication open
It’s also important to manage co-worker expectations. While maintaining confidentiality, keep teams informed enough to prevent misinformation or negativity, which can impact recovery.
Keep Employees Connected
If an employee will be off work for an extended period and light-duty work is not available, find ways to keep them engaged:
- Weekly check-ins with updates from work
- Invitations to staff meetings or events
- Opportunities to attend training or safety meetings
Staying connected helps the employee feel valued and can positively impact recovery and return-to-work outcomes.
Administrative Responsibilities
Employers should continue to manage the employee throughout the claims process. This includes:
- Forwarding medical bills and records to IMWCA as they are received
- Responding promptly to requests from the claims examiner
Creating a supportive, communicative environment after an injury not only helps employees recover—it also leads to better outcomes for your organization. The way you respond in those first few days can make all the difference.
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Winter Slip and Fall Reminder
Despite historically warm weather in February and early March, anyone who has lived in Iowa knows that we are still due for at least one to two more snow and ice events before Mid-April.
Looking back at slip-and-fall trends, the first snow events of the year account for the most claims. The next-highest number of slip-and-fall claims occurs at this time of year, during the last few snow events. Everyone has experienced walking on snow and ice for a few months and complacency sets in. Making the situation worse is that the good weather gives weary employees hope that the snow and cold are behind us and that we don’t have to deal with them anymore.
To counter complacency, IMWCA recommends a late-season reminder to all employees about the slip-and-fall trend and encourages them to take the same preventive steps they used in December whenever a snow event occurs now.
To help get the word out, feel free to use this article in your newsletter or post the Informer throughout your buildings. There is also a good course on Learn regarding slip and fall prevention that we encourage our members to use.
Payroll Worksheets Due March 31
Your IMWCA payroll worksheet for the upcoming 2026-2027 policy renewal is available. Complete the payroll worksheet electronically by logging into your Member Login at www.imwca.org. There is also a direct link to the login page at https://imwcaapps.imwca.org/IMWCA_Member_Access/Login.aspx. This form needs to be returned by March 31.
Thank you for choosing IMWCA for your workers’ compensation needs! We are proud to be your partner in helping your employees return home safely. If you are new to our online system or need help with your login, please contact Aric Cudnohosky at ariccudnohosky@iowaleague.org or Andrew Justice at andrewjustice@iowaleague.org.
Human Resource Help
As part of your premium, help is available for human resources questions about your workers’ compensation claims and related items.
For questions on topics like policies, job descriptions, return to work, incident analysis, personal safety action plans, seasonal employees, and more, reach out to our HR Specialist, Suzanne Kashawlic, at suzannekashawlic@iowaleague.org or (515) 901-4224.
Excavation Safety Workshop
Registration is now open for Iowa LTAP’s Excavation Safety workshops. This class explains the hazards of excavation and trenching, how accidents happen, and how worker protective measures should be applied. It’s a great way to inform new employees of safety protocol or to update more experienced employees on new safety information.
