THE ONLY GOOD CLAIM IS A CLOSED CLAIM
A closed claim is one that has been settled with the injured third party or successfully defended on our behalf. The truth is that the more promptly a claim is handled the faster it will close and the LESS IT WILL COST in terms of the taxpayer dollars needed for settlement or defense.
The key to successful investigation and prompt disposition of any claim can be summed up in two words: EARLY INTERVENTION. The faster a claim is reported the faster the investigation can begin; the fasted the investigation is conducted, the faster the injured party can be contacted; the faster the injured party is contacted, the faster that individual's injuries can be assessed; the faster the injuries are assessed and the investigation is concluded, the faster the resolution of the claim to the satisfaction of everyone involved.
The key to Early Intervention can be summed up in just one word: YOU. Report all incidents and occurrences of injury, whether you believe a claim will be made or not, as soon as possible, preferable the same day as it happens. If you see someone slip, trip or injure themselves in any way, record the date and time along with the name of the individual and the facts as you observe them. If the party refuses to provide their name or insists that they do not intend to seek medical attention for their injury, record the date and time and report the incident ANYWAY.
Once a claim is reported to the Board of Risk we will have a representative contact you within twenty-four hours to discuss the incident as you observe it. The claim representative may ask to take a recorded interview from you regarding the facts of the incident. This is done to document your interpretation and to preserve it so that in the future, if a claim is presented, you may refer to your taped interview and not have to rely on your memory of the facts as they occurred.
The representative may need to inspect the site where the incident occurred and may ask you to be present for that inspection. Photographs may be taken or testing done at the site to determine the validity of the injury party's allegations, if any are presented. Documents such as police reports (if filed) and emergency room record (if treatment is sought) will be secured by the claim representative as part of their investigation.
While this investigation is ongoing, the claim representative will contact the injured party. The representative assesses the injuries and the type of treatment, if any, the injured party received. If it is determined that we are responsible, the claim representative takes steps to compensate the claimant for the injuries an the resultant pain and suffering.
If it is determined that we are not responsible for the injuries suffered, or that the alleged injuries did not result from the incident, we will vigorously defend the claim on our behalf. You may be called upon to answer questions regarding the incident or attend a court hearing. The success of our defense is dependent on our ability to recall the facts of the loss, and prove the points that our investigation revealed regarding our liability in the matter. The key to our success therefore is EARLY INTERVENTION to record the facts and conduct the investigation and the key to early intervention is, of course, YOU.