Workers' compensation payments are based on proof of injury. If there is no medical proof to support the claim, the injured worker is not eligible for benefits under workers' compensation.

While you cannot force the injured worker to see a doctor, we encourage you to document that treatment was offered. Make sure you report the injury to Zenith, even if the worker does not receive treatment. If at a later date the injured worker requests treatment, please contact the Zenith office so that we may assist you with a medical referral.

No. There is no law that requires you to provide modified work for injured workers, but there are several reasons to do so:

1. It gives the employee an incentive to work.
   
   
2. It helps lower your claim cost. Arranging modified or transitional work at a worker's pre-injury wage rate means temporary total indemnity benefits are not owed.
   
   
3. It increases your team's productivity.
   
   
4. It reflects positively on your work environment.

No. But by returning your employee to pre-injury wages as soon as possible you can benefit from lower claim costs, increased employee morale, and an experienced employee still engaged in your business.

Physical work restrictions will be decided by the doctor. The injured worker should present his/her employer with a return-to-work slip from the treating physician, which will outline these physical restrictions. Your Zenith team is available to help you develop a return-to-work plan which may include temporary or transitional work assignments until the employee is ready to resume his/her pre-injury duties.

Consult a labor attorney prior to taking any action.

Probe gently. Avoiding the issue can backfire. An employer has an obligation to report injuries to Zenith as soon as they have knowledge that an injury has occurred. If the employer delays or does not report known information, it could result in a costly claim that might otherwise have been denied. Please document your conversation, as it may be useful if an injury is reported at a later date.

Yes. We encourage employers to report all injuries. The time allowed for Zenith to either accept or deny treatment for an injury is from YOUR date of knowledge, NOT ours. Injuries with no treatment are reviewed and eventually closed.

Yes. The additional paperwork we send you, such as wage information, job description and mileage forms, helps us with the claims process and may be required by law.

Contact Zenith immediately to initiate paperwork on the alleged injury.

Checks are generally processed every two weeks unless the claims handler requires additional information. Please contact your Zenith office for exact schedules.

Yes. The waiting period can be 3 to 7 days, depending on the state. Please contact your Zenith office to determine when the injured worker is eligible for his/her waiting period compensation.

Generally all bills generated due to the workplace injury, and as authorized by Zenith's claims staff, will be paid. Bills may also be adjusted based on the state's fee schedule. Medical provider bills may include physicians, physical therapy, testing, medical mileage and prescriptions.

It depends. Your insurance agent or a Zenith underwriter can help you assess the affect of a claim on your premium. Employers that do not have many claims typically pay less for insurance than employers with a high incidence of claims.

An injury is considered First Aid if it involves one-time treatment and, if necessary, a follow-up visit to observe minor scratches, cuts, burns, splinters, etc. Such minor injuries ordinarily do not require ongoing medical care. A First Aid injury can be treated either by a peer/supervisor or a medical professional such as a nurse or doctor.

This depends on your state. California law requires that if a doctor treats an injured employee for any reason—including First Aid—that the doctor must report the claim to the employer's workers' compensation carrier. Since state laws vary, be sure to check with you local Zenith representative.

Yes. It's possible that we may deny the claim based on the facts of the injury.

Yes. Once Zenith knows about the injury, our safety & health consultants can identify trends at your workplace, suggest safety tips and help you prevent further injuries.