Have I handled wrong?
NaeNae55
3,243 Posts
An ex-employee called last week and told me she was in pain from carpel tunnel. She was diagnosed with it when she worked for us when she went to the doctor on a different matter (not work-related). She felt no pain at the time and didn't see any need to act. I knew nothing of HR matters then, and though I was her supervisor I also did nothing. Our department manager handled HR issues, and as far as I know, did nothing either.
She then went to work for another company, and later, moved to another city 70 miles away to work for that same department manager who was working elsewhere by this time.
When she began to feel pain she complained, and eventually went to her boss about it. The boss (our ex-department manager) told her to contact us as it originally occurred while working for us.
I have never handled a work comp claim before, and so spoke to my CEO and we called our agent. A claim form was faxed to me last Friday, and I have not completed it yet. The agent told me that an investigation would be made, and probably the 3 companies the ex-employee worked for would share a part of the costs.
I spoke to the ex-employee over the weekend and she indicated that she has not been seeing a doctor. She had been told by someone that work comp won't pay unless you see their doctors. I told her if work comp didn't pay, then her insurance would probably pick up, but she has a high deductible and couldn't afford it at this time.
Today her current employer called me (not our ex-department manager, but someone else). She said the employee is in a lot of pain and wanted to know the status. I told her how things stood, and then spoke to the employee. I told her to get to a doctor as there is no claim if she doesn't and they won't have anything to investigate or work with until she does.
She soon called me back and told me she found a work comp doctor but they would not see her until we authorized it. I called my agent, but as unbelievable as it sounds, the entire claims department for this large agency is closed for the day and my agent will not be back until 12/3. I left a voice mail for a back-up person who supposedly is covering and checking voice mail. I have not heard from her, and my CEO is on vacation this week.
SO...I called the doctor and gave them the information to send bills here, and then called the ex-employee and told her to get into the doctor's office. I hope I did the right thing. It just seems to me that we cannot let our employees or ex-employees suffer while we wonder what to do. But, I am confused about this entire scenario. It seems to me that her current employer, who has now put her on light duty, should have made a claim. Their carrier would have had to coordinate with ours and the 3rd employer, but her pain started there. Am I wrong here?
To make matters more complicated, this ex-employee is now a very good friend of mine. I need to walk a tightrope here between my obligations to my employer and my friendship. But if my company is doing the right thing, that shouldn't be an issue. Right?
Someone out there please give me some confirmation that I am on the right track, or tell me where I went wrong and what I can do to fix it.
She then went to work for another company, and later, moved to another city 70 miles away to work for that same department manager who was working elsewhere by this time.
When she began to feel pain she complained, and eventually went to her boss about it. The boss (our ex-department manager) told her to contact us as it originally occurred while working for us.
I have never handled a work comp claim before, and so spoke to my CEO and we called our agent. A claim form was faxed to me last Friday, and I have not completed it yet. The agent told me that an investigation would be made, and probably the 3 companies the ex-employee worked for would share a part of the costs.
I spoke to the ex-employee over the weekend and she indicated that she has not been seeing a doctor. She had been told by someone that work comp won't pay unless you see their doctors. I told her if work comp didn't pay, then her insurance would probably pick up, but she has a high deductible and couldn't afford it at this time.
Today her current employer called me (not our ex-department manager, but someone else). She said the employee is in a lot of pain and wanted to know the status. I told her how things stood, and then spoke to the employee. I told her to get to a doctor as there is no claim if she doesn't and they won't have anything to investigate or work with until she does.
She soon called me back and told me she found a work comp doctor but they would not see her until we authorized it. I called my agent, but as unbelievable as it sounds, the entire claims department for this large agency is closed for the day and my agent will not be back until 12/3. I left a voice mail for a back-up person who supposedly is covering and checking voice mail. I have not heard from her, and my CEO is on vacation this week.
SO...I called the doctor and gave them the information to send bills here, and then called the ex-employee and told her to get into the doctor's office. I hope I did the right thing. It just seems to me that we cannot let our employees or ex-employees suffer while we wonder what to do. But, I am confused about this entire scenario. It seems to me that her current employer, who has now put her on light duty, should have made a claim. Their carrier would have had to coordinate with ours and the 3rd employer, but her pain started there. Am I wrong here?
To make matters more complicated, this ex-employee is now a very good friend of mine. I need to walk a tightrope here between my obligations to my employer and my friendship. But if my company is doing the right thing, that shouldn't be an issue. Right?
Someone out there please give me some confirmation that I am on the right track, or tell me where I went wrong and what I can do to fix it.
Comments
Brad Forrister
Director of Publishing
M. Lee Smith Publishers
Thank you for your response. EE went to the doctor and a work status report was faxed to me. EE also sent me an email asking for our current address (we moved last December) as the doctor told her she needed to give us a form he sent with her.
I am glad you think her current employer should be handling, but how do I get them to take over? Should I just tell EE that she needs to have current employer file also?
Good luck.
Dennis
Our carrier indicated that they would deny since no treatment has ever been initiated until now. Ex-employee called yesterday and said she went to bosses and requested a work comp claim be filed and she was terminated. I asked her why and she replied that they would not tell her why. She has never been terminated from a job before (in late 30's) and was very upset, but did tell me she has an appointment with a lawyer Monday. Her job, by the way, was in Kansas City, MO. I am in Kansas and don't know MO law, but I am sure something is rotten in Denmark (or somewhere).
DJ The Balloonman