Workers Compensation Blog
September 30, 2011
The complex world of Workers’ Comp, part 2
— Mike Hinshaw @ 11:27 pm
“New book offers hope for workers’ comp reform; don’t let an initial partial impairment rating stop you–if you deserve a total impairment rating, Fight Back!
Once you’ve hired a trained, experienced workers’ comp attorney, you probably won’t feel like reading a book on the subject.
Then again, it never hurts to know more about a subject that crucially affects your life–if you or a loved one have been injured and you’re fighting to receive proper treatment and benefits, the more you know, the better.
Workers’ comp reform a nationwide issue
Across the country, almost every state is looking at ways to revamp its workers’ comp system…or else they’ve recently enacted some level of reform. A Sept. 26 press release at insurancenews.net heralds a new book entitled “How to Save Big on Workers’ Compensation: With Insights from Leading Industry Experts,” written by Adam Friedlander, president of Friedlander Group, Inc., a workers’ compensation company for retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, hotels/motels and oil dealers in New York.
‘Creating a culture of caring’
According to Friedlander, “creating a culture of caring for employees’ well-being is the single most important step in saving money on workers’ compensation.”
Sounds good to us–seems like all too often that “reform” actually translates to less benefit and less choice for the injured worker. So we’re happy to read that the book is:
A digestible guide for businesses large and small, human resources professionals and the insurance community, [in which] Friedlander offers actionable, money-saving ideas that enable employers to operate at optimal levels. “How to Save Big on Workers’ Compensation” features exclusive interviews with leading industry experts, including Larry LaPointe, former director of the Division of Confidential Investigations at the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF); Ed Hiller, director of Claims and Medical Operations for NYSIF; Brian Mittman, the managing partner of Markhoff & Mittman, a law firm that helps injured workers; Robert Firmbach, a veteran loss-control and safety expert; Eileen Preiato, the Friedlander Group Claims Solution™ manager; and Cosmo Preiato, executive vice president of Friedlander Group and head of Safety Group Underwriting and Operations.
The book also features success stories from a variety of businesses—restaurants, hotels, retailers—that detail their individual culture of caring and safety, which has ultimately led to increased productivity and profits.
A ‘lightning rod’ even though in big picture its costs are small
“Workers’ compensation is a lightning rod for many employers” says Friedlander. “In comparison to payroll, rent and health insurance costs, workers’ comp is small. Nonetheless, most employers have a negative reaction to this expense. They believe workers’ comp is another tax and overregulation. Some don’t believe that employee claims are legitimate. The truth is that the costs to an organization generated by injured employees extend far beyond increased premiums. My book helps business owners realize that all claims are not beyond their control. Where safety is an integral part of the business culture, there are fewer claims, less fraud and lower premiums. Employers need to understand that their employees are their greatest asset. Can you win your World Series without your team working optimally?”
More power to Mr. Friedlander–if he can help states lower costs and lower the rate of injured workers–while affording proper care to those who do get injured, well, lets just say we hope all the proper authorities get a copy of this book.”
