$200k-claim cost avoided by Vigilant retro member

It All Adds Up: Vigilant Saves Lumber Manufacturer More Than $200K in Workers’ Comp Claim

When it comes to saving money with Vigilant’s Workers’ Comp Retro Group, it’s all about the numbers. And we have some pretty impressive ones to share from a recent case that involved one of our members, a Washington lumber manufacturer:

$211,000—the claim cost Vigilant saved the manufacturer;

100% (initial) to 8% (final)—the reduction in the percentage of employer liability we were able to achieve on the claim;

$0—the ultimate cost of the claim charged to our member.

It went like this: after an employee who had been working at the plant for five months submitted a worker’s comp claim for injuries to his wrist, it was allowed as an occupational disease claim. But after a thorough investigation by Vigilant of the employee’s previous work history and medical records, followed by consultation with the employee’s physician, it became apparent that the injuries were not the direct result of working at the lumber manufacturer. After Vigilant filed a protest to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and submitted supporting information, liability for the lumber manufacturer was reduced to 8 percent, which is below the threshold for chargeable claim liability, saving our member roughly $211,000. When all was said and done, the employee received the treatment he needed and the employer primarily responsible for his injury was assigned all claim costs. A win-win for our retro group, our member, and the injured worker.

As a member of Vigilant’s retro program, you don’t have to go it alone. Don’t forget we’re here to help when you have a complex claim. Through your Vigilant membership you have access to:

• A dedicated claims manager;
• A dedicated safety professional;
• Legal counsel from Vigilant employment attorneys; and
• An opportunity to reduce future yearly premiums and earn refunds on the premiums you pay to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

This was just one case. We treat each and every claim with the same diligence, care, and attention to detail. Find out how the Vigilant Workers’ Comp Retro Group can benefit your company.