In the landscaping industry, employees frequently work outdoors with heavy equipment, leading to a higher risk of injuries. These injuries, if not managed properly, can cause worker’s compensation premiums to skyrocket, costing businesses thousands of dollars. One of our clients, a two-location landscaping company, encountered this very issue and faced a significant increase in their premium costs. The client's worker’s compensation premiums were rising sharply due to a high number of minor injury claims like cut fingers, smashed toes, bee stings, and sprains.

Our team conducted a thorough safety and policy audit to identify areas for improvement. In collaboration with the client, we developed a comprehensive plan to address their specific needs. The key components of the plan included implementing new safety training programs tailored to the landscaping industry. These included first aid procedures, protective equipment training, job specific procedure training, and a new chain of command procedure. We also conducted regular OSHA safety courses to ensure all employees were up-to-date with the latest safety protocols, and established a stringent claims procedure to ensure all information was properly documented. Additionally, we introduced a "report only" procedure for claims costing under $1,000, where the company would pay out of pocket for minor injuries and only file a claim if the injury worsened or required more extensive medical attention. This would take care of the minor injuries that medical professionals would treat and send the employee back to work the next day.

By adopting these strategies, the client saw significant improvements. The implementation of the report-only procedure effectively managed the high volume of minor injury claims, reducing the number of claims filed with the insurance carrier from 10 to 12 a year down to zero. This approach allowed the company to lower their experience modifier from 0.96 to 0.70, resulting in over $30,000 in savings. Through proactive safety measures and an innovative claims management strategy, our client was able to achieve significant cost savings and reinforce their commitment to employee safety and well-being, illustrating the importance of tailored solutions in managing risks and reducing expenses in high-risk industries.