As a small business, dealing with workers’ compensation can seem intimidating to you. But when you work with an Austin PEO and outsource your human resources team, you can get the help you need.

At NetPEO, we focus on finding you the right Austin PEO insurance service that can help you with workers’ compensation processes. We can answer any questions you have about hiring a PEO for your business; reach out to us today.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Workers’ Compensation Claims?

While the specific injuries encountered can vary between industries, there are some general types of workplace accidents that frequently result in workers’ compensation claims. If any of your employees have suffered any of these injuries, an Austin PEO company can help start the process:

Strains and Sprains

Injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments caused by lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, such as pushing, pulling or awkward postures are among the most prevalent. Some of the body parts that can be injured include torsos, shoulders, knees and wrists.

Falls and Slips

Slipping on wet surfaces, tripping hazards, falling from heights and ergonomic issues like improper footwear can lead to fractures, concussions and soft tissue damage. Regardless of the industry your small business is, these injuries can happen at any time.

Cuts and Lacerations

Contact with sharp or rough edges, being struck by fast-moving or falling objects, and exposure to industrial machinery often cause cuts, scrapes or the loss of limbs from amputation. For example, if you own a glass cutting company, your employees could be at risk of these injuries.

Burns

Corrosive chemicals, sparks, flames and other heat sources frequently result in burns to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract across various workplaces like construction, manufacturing and healthcare. Burns can vary in severity from minor to life-changing.

As a small business owner you need an Austin PEO that can help you handle workers’ compensation claims when they arise.

Cumulative and Repetitive Trauma

Over time, high-force or frequent repetitive motions can inflict pain issues like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis in body parts like hands, wrists, shoulders, lower back and knees.

Knowing which types of incidents tend to be claimed helps drivers reduce risk through proper ergonomics, guarding, PPE and other controls. By outsourcing your HR, you can focus on growing your business while an Austin PEO handles injury claims.

How a PEO Can Help You Minimize Workers’ Compensation Claims

One of the more difficult parts of workers’ compensation is handling injury claims from your employees. But our team at NetPEO can work to find an Austin PEO that provides the workers’ compensation services you need. When you hire a PEO, it can help you minimize claims by providing:

Proactive Safety Programs

PEOs understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Austin PEOs develop comprehensive safety protocols tailored to each client’s industry and specific hazards. Employees complete thorough online training modules and hands-on demonstrations regularly.

Qualified safety consultants also perform in-depth job site assessments and inspections quarterly. Wellness programs further reduce risk. Through these multilayered proactive initiatives, PEOs engineer work environments and behaviors that decrease the risk of injuries significantly over time.

Return-to-Work Coordination

For the few injuries that do occur, the PEO’s return-to-work team springs into action. The team works closely with medical providers to determine the earliest an employee can begin modified or light duty.

The PEO then identifies suitable temporary transitional assignments that accommodate any restrictions. This may involve alternate tasks, equipment adaptations, or even job modifications at another nearby client location. Ensuring injured staff return to productive work as soon as it’s medically prudent slams the brakes on lost time and associated costs.

24/7 Claims Management

Injuries happen unpredictably, so PEO claims adjusters are on-call around the clock. An Austin PEO trains employees to contact the hotline for even minor issues to expedite response. Adjusters can immediately authorize evaluations or emergency treatment.

They record all injury details on-site for the investigation. Early involvement optimizes medical outcomes and gets a handle on claims before delays arise. Adjusters also consistently follow up with employees throughout recovery to ensure support needs are met, further reducing lengths of stay.

Investigative Expertise

Once the dust settles, the PEO’s claims team conducts an in-depth forensic analysis. The Austin PEO can collect witness statements, photographs and examine incident locations for evidence. Root cause determination helps design targeted corrective measures, like improved machine guarding or harness installations.

Medical Provider Oversight

Leveraging contracted networks, PEO adjusters direct treatment pathways within evidence-based guidelines. They authorize specific providers and services while vetoing others shown to result in over-treatment or delayed recovery.

Routine file reviews flag bills or plans of care deviating from standards that could extend durations. Early independence and medical cost controls are keys to containing claim liabilities.

How PEOs Help You Stay Compliant With Workers’ Compensation

Another important aspect of being a small business and handling workers’ compensation claims is following compliance regulations for state and federal laws. Austin PEO workers’ compensation services can help you stay within the legal bounds by:

Filing Required Reports

PEOs understand varying state-specific deadlines and ensure all necessary documentation is accurately captured and submitted on time, such as OSHA 300A annual summaries, C-3 employee claim forms, and quarterly wage and payroll records. Any deficiencies are quickly addressed to avoid non-compliance penalties.

Proper Postings & Notifications

From informing employees of provider networks to work-related injury procedures to displaying insurance certificates and state commission contact info, PEOs audit your workplace to guarantee full transparency compliance. They also supply template language for any mandated notification letters you may have to send.

Rate Adjustment Management

PEOs carefully vet all experience rating modifications or assessment changes proposed by carriers to identify any discrepancies in loss experience calculation or risk classification assignments. Their negotiating expertise often saves you money by getting rate reductions.

Record Keeping Organization

With digitized injury files, medical records, and investigatory findings centralized and cross-indexed by employee and incident date, PEOs ensure instant access should auditors need to verify prior years’ documentation going back several policy periods.

Contact an Austin PEO for Workers’ Compensation Services Today

If you’re a small business owner, our team at NetPEO can help you find a PEO that can help you manage your business’ workers’ compensation claim and overall process. We can also offer our services if we’re the right fit.