Reduce incidence of Massachusetts workers compensation fraud by documenting information

Employers required to provide Massachusetts workers compensation rely on the honesty of their employees. All employees have the right to be justly compensated if a workplace-related injury or illness forces them to cease work for an extended period of time. While a minority of workers may exaggerate the severity of an injury or claim an injury sustained at home as a workplace injury, employers should treat every workers’ compensation claim as a legitimate one.

One of the best ways to mitigate workers compensation liability is to be in constant communication with the claimant. Treating claims with undue suspicion from the beginning is not likely to lower a workers’ compensation claim or contribute towards a speedy return to work.

When a worker clams he or she has been injured, an employer should organize medical treatment as soon as possible. It’s also advisable to stay in touch with the claimant during the recovery process, to make sure he or she is improving, although this may not apply in all circumstances.

Maintaining a good relationship with an injured worker may help limit the possibility of a messy, costly and drawn out Massachusetts workers compensation claim. Reassuring the employee that the job has been put on hold until he or she returns to work may be helpful. Make sure the employee is comfortable when he or she returns to work. Be prepared to ease the employee into work if the employee feels some trepidation getting straight back into his or her normal role.