Tobyhanna found it necessary to hire outside investigators because potential abusers knew the depot s staff of claims clerks, MER specialists, and investigators. When they do, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent or deter workman s compensation claims from becoming long-term. One of the most effective means to get employees back to work is to show you care about them. The manner in which an injured employee is treated during the first five minutes following an accident is crucial because it sets the tone for how he or she expects to be treated throughout the entire claims process. If an employee s injury does require a prolonged absence from work, maintaining regular contact with that employee to keep the lines of communication open is vital.
Prolonged absences are as bad for the employee as they are for the employer.
While only a small percentage of employees abuse the workman s compensation program, those few cost the Federal Government millions of dollars. One method used by Tobyhanna to help prevent fraud and abuse of the Workman s Compensation Program is to take disciplinary action when fraud is discovered. Since their program began, they have removed seven individuals from federal service, while several others opted to resign rather than face disciplinary action. Of the seven removals, three were appealed, and all three appeals were denied. Benefits Outweigh Costs.