When an employee is injured on-the-job and you need to file a workers’ comp claim, there are several steps you should take to expedite the claims process:

1. Assist your employee in obtaining prompt medical care.

• In an emergency, the employee should seek immediate medical care at the nearest emergency room and notify you as soon as possible thereafter.
• In all other instances, the employee should inform you of the injury before seeking medical care. You should provide first aid on site, if necessary. Then refer the employee to an approved medical provider.
• Immediately request drug screen from the medical provider.

2. File a claim with Construction Claims Management, Alabama Home Builders Self Insurers Fund's claims service provider, immediately after a work related injury occurs (within 24 hours of occurrence).

• Complete the First Report of Injury form with your worker, if possible. No decision can be made on a claim until all required information is received. Explain worker's compensation procedures to the worker and assist in relieving any anxieties he or she may have relating to the injury. A First Report of Injury form is also available at www.ahbsif.com
• Fax the First Report of Injury form to (334) 834-9293.

3. Conduct an investigation immediately while the information is fresh in people's minds - then take the necessary corrective action to prevent the injury from occuring again. The AHBSIF has loss control representatives that can assist you in this investigation. Click here to locate the person in your area. Your written accident investigation report should include:

• Inspection of the accident site
• A determination of the reasons why the accident happened.
• The circumstances involving the accident.
• Evidence and photographs.
• Interviews of all witnesses and others in the accident area and ask them to write down their statements. Interviews should be conducted in a sensitive manner.
• Determine the necessary corrective action to be taken to prevent the injury from happening again.

If the investigation suggests that your employee’s injury is not your responsibility or seems questionable in nature, be sure to provide your comments and attach it to the First Report of Injury form.  If you have already submitted the First Report of Injury form, please write or call CCM with your concerns at (334) 834-0283.

4. Complete all the required paperwork in a timely manner and fax it to the Construction Claims Management office at (334) 834-9293. This includes: Wage Statement; Consent Form and Employee's First Report of Injury form. Click here for the forms.

5. Promptly send in any medical documentation and/or bills to CCM for processing.

6. Refer all medical providers to CCM for any treatment approval.

7. Immediately forward any documentation, suit, etc. to CCM.

Stay in contact with the worker, the medical provider, and Construction Claims Management. Help the workers continue to feel they are an important asset to your company.