Is Your Adjustor Awesome… or Just OK?
In the book, “The 8 Characteristics of the Awesome Adjustor”, author Carl Van defines the attributes required in a successful claims adjustor. How does your adjustor measures up? Characteristic #1: Attitude Van quotes an old saying; “There is very little difference between people, but that little difference can make a big difference. The little difference [...]
Closing out 2011
2011 was an active year in the Risk Management arena. Some states, such as California, continue to make legislation changes that affect the way claims are handled and how employers are assessed. We have also seen some industry institutions provide some very significant insights on what are the driving costs behind a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ Compensation Pharmacy Costs [...]
Workplace Culture: A Powerful Factor on Workers’ Compensation Costs
Workplace culture (the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors collectively shared by employees) can have a very real and powerful impact on the entire work environment. As a result, culture has a major effect on a company’s workers’ compensation experience and costs. By creating a culture focused on safety, wellness and compassion, a company can realize [...]
Workers’ Compensation Subrogation – Bottom Line Savings or Missed Opportunities?
When a workers’ compensation injury is caused by a negligent third party (other than the employer), the injured worker has the right to sue the wrongdoer for damages in civil court. The employer or insurance carrier also has subrogation interest – a right of recovery against the negligent party. In such instances, there are 2 [...]
Mental Stress Injury or Good-faith Personnel Action
Effectively Managing Questionable Stress Claims Legitimate psychiatric stress claims do exist. However, many employers find themselves faced with employee claims of mental stress that do not qualify as compensable under workers’ compensation law. Situations that lead to questionable stress claim filings include: Angry employees Low employee morale Poorly performing employees on formal disciplinary plans Employees [...]
Business Auto Coverage 101: The Basics
As a business owner, insurance coverages for the cars, trucks, vans or other vehicles you use in your business is critical. Most states require liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage to others that may result from a vehicle accident occurring while you or someone from your organization is driving on business. Many states [...]
Athens Administrators: A Great Company and A Great Place to Work
Athens Voted One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area in 2011 Athens Administrators is extremely proud and gratified to have been voted one the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times for the third consecutive year. Athens was ranked the 12th best place to [...]
Medical Liens: Increasing Costs and Delaying Speedy Claims Resolution
California’s workers’ compensation system is unique in many ways, and our lien process is one of them. In California, providers can file a lien at any time during the life of the claim, even after the case has closed. This reality, in combination with a provider strategy of filing liens at the same time as [...]
The Goal: 2011 – Try New Things and Achieve Better Results
Does different necessarily mean better? Not always, but approaching a challenge in smart new ways often improves results. The workers’ compensation process is extremely complex, producing many unique challenges for organizations. At Athens Administrators we continually strive to build the most successful workers’ compensation programs possible. Today is the perfect time to assess your workers’ [...]
2010 in Review… and What to Look for in 2011
The economy and high unemployment rates made 2010 a challenging year for the workers’ compensation industry. While workplace injuries and illnesses were down, claim costs (especially medical benefits) were up. A variety of issues continue to impact the workers’ compensation industry. However, reform was not high on the list this year. Only a handful of [...]