8B Consent 2014 0407 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Initial analysis indicates that the spikes in FY 2009-10 and FY 2011-12 are attributable to the severity of the reported injuries. Overall, the number of indemnity claims has decreased since a high of 38 in FY 2009-10. In April 2013, the City partnered with Norman Peterson and Associates (NPA) to administer its Return to Work Program. NPA actively communicates directly with treating physicians and the City to match injured workers to modified duty assignments, while ensuring the work is compatible with restrictions imposed by the employees' physician. For the period of April 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014, 20 claims were assigned to NPA, of which 17 were assigned to modified work. More than 75% of injured workers in Police and Public Works Department with documented physical limitations were assigned modified work. This partnership with NPA has resulted in a savings of $119,523 in salary continuation/total temporary disability payments in this short period of time. SPttlPmPnts Another cost containment strategy is settling a claim through legal negotiations. With the aid of a very effective legal team from Pulley & Cohen, the Human Resources department has begun an aggressive approach of settling active claims to limit future liability in terms of case management, medical treatment costs, and 4850 benefits. Police officers are entitled to California Labor Code Section 4850 benefits. These benefits allow public safety personnel to receive their full salary for up to one year while injured and unable to work. With a settlement, the City can negotiate with a safety employee to reach an amicable resolution. This may include an agreement to payout 4850 benefits at a reduced percentage and the employee separates from employment typically through an industrial disability retirement. Although there may be a significant one-time cost, the savings over the long-term is worthwhile. Prevention and Training Prevention is also a critical component of an effective workers' compensation program. Prevention includes health and wellness programs, safety training and ergonomic reviews for existing employees. California law, through Cal/OSHA, requires every employer to develop and maintain an effective Illness and Injury Prevention Program. The Human Resources Department also oversees the Citywide Safety committee. A robust safety program can further help reduce costs by ensuring that trainings are targeted and correlate with common injuries. An analysis of our claims showed that strains from various activities represent the most common sources of injury, with slips and falls second. Based on these results, the Human Resources # of Claims # of Claims worked modified duty TTD Savings Community Development 1 1 $10,956 Engineering & Transportation 2 2 $19,049 Finance 2 2 $10,907 Police 8 6 $37,958 Public Works 7 6 $40,653 TOTALS 20 17 $119,523 SPttlPmPnts Another cost containment strategy is settling a claim through legal negotiations. With the aid of a very effective legal team from Pulley & Cohen, the Human Resources department has begun an aggressive approach of settling active claims to limit future liability in terms of case management, medical treatment costs, and 4850 benefits. Police officers are entitled to California Labor Code Section 4850 benefits. These benefits allow public safety personnel to receive their full salary for up to one year while injured and unable to work. With a settlement, the City can negotiate with a safety employee to reach an amicable resolution. This may include an agreement to payout 4850 benefits at a reduced percentage and the employee separates from employment typically through an industrial disability retirement. Although there may be a significant one-time cost, the savings over the long-term is worthwhile. Prevention and Training Prevention is also a critical component of an effective workers' compensation program. Prevention includes health and wellness programs, safety training and ergonomic reviews for existing employees. California law, through Cal/OSHA, requires every employer to develop and maintain an effective Illness and Injury Prevention Program. The Human Resources Department also oversees the Citywide Safety committee. A robust safety program can further help reduce costs by ensuring that trainings are targeted and correlate with common injuries. An analysis of our claims showed that strains from various activities represent the most common sources of injury, with slips and falls second. Based on these results, the Human Resources