The First 24 Hours After an Injury

WORK COMP INSIGHTS
HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND. HELPING YOU STAY PREPARED.

The moment an injury occurs, it initiates a sequence of events that can last for weeks or even months. But no matter how prolonged the recovery period, the first 24 hours after an injury are the most crucial. To respond effectively to an incident, the majority of the action items should occur within 24 hours.

Your supervisors may already be experienced in handling injuries. Still, a clearly defined 24-hour injury response plan will help them provide even more effective and consistent response and ensure that supervisors and team members know what to expect when someone is injured. The plan will also provide the necessary guidance when experienced supervisors are not immediately available to respond to an accident or injury.

The First 24 Hours After an Injury Are Critical

Injured team members may feel worried about keeping their jobs, worried about their health and frustrated or confused by company policies. A rapid response plan turns a potentially negative event into a more manageable scenario for you and the team member by addressing their concerns up front, helping them get the care they need and lowering claims costs.

Both organizations that work with injured team members, such as the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and those that work with risk management for organizations, such as the Public Entity Risk Institute, agree that prompt and thorough action promotes the best outcome for everyone involved. The lag between when an injury occurs and the reporting of that injury has a significant effect on both the time it takes to close the claim and the final cost of the claim.

In a study published by the Hartford Financial Services Group, it was found that:

• Claims reported during the second week after an occurrence had an average settlement value that was 18 percent higher than that for claims reported during the first week.
• Waiting until the third or fourth week resulted in claims costs that were about 30 percent higher.
• Claims that were not reported until 1 month after the occurrence were typically 45 percent higher.
• According to the study, back injuries were particularly sensitive to delayed reporting; waiting just one week to report a back injury typically results in a 40 percent increase in the ultimate cost of the claim.

Editorial note: These study figures are reproduced from the supplied document. The document does not identify the study’s date or provide a full reference. Verify the original source before publishing or relying on these figures.

THE FIRST 24 HOURS MATTER
A prompt, consistent response can help an injured team member get the care they need while helping reduce delays and control claim costs.

Common Reasons for Delaying Reporting

The most common reason for delayed reporting is that the injured party believes the pain will go away. This creates problems, as most injuries that are not addressed immediately take longer to heal. The second most common reason for delayed reporting is a lack of team member training. Approximately 97 percent of team members injured on the job do not know what process to follow; in many cases, they will go to their own doctor rather than reporting to their supervisor. Less common, but certainly prevalent, is the concern that there will be a negative reaction from a supervisor.

Editorial note: The 97 percent statistic is reproduced from the supplied document, which does not cite a source or date for this figure. Verify the original source before publication.

This highlights the importance of supervisor training, creating a clear message about immediate reporting, and maintaining a supportive work environment.

Delayed reporting may also be caused by a conflict over a non-injury issue. This occasionally can result in a team member belatedly reporting a real or fabricated injury to retaliate for some other grievance against the company or supervisor. Unfortunately, claims of this nature are rarely resolved quickly.

Training and Communication

Since time is so valuable to the process, it is important that training is given in advance so team members will not be confused about their responsibilities should an injury occur. For supervisors, training allows them to take a more active role in managing the response and to serve as a guide for injured team members. This means quicker reporting times and better health outcomes.

Training should ensure team members are aware of how to access appropriate care. Team members should be comfortable reporting injuries knowing they will be treated with care and respect. During training, continually reinforce the company’s commitment to helping every injured team member heal properly and return to work promptly.

To aid in educating your staff about workplace injuries, your company should create and post a written, 24-hour response plan for team members and supervisors to follow.

Prompt Medical Treatment

Immediate assessment of the injury and facilitating appropriate and personal treatment is crucial. Determine the type and severity of the injury; ideally, a staff member trained in first aid can assess the severity of the injury and the appropriate action needed. For injuries that usually result in the most lost time and highest claims costs, such as sprains, strains, neck and back injuries, appropriate medical care is most likely a prompt visit to a clinic, or a doctor well versed in evidence-based, occupational health care delivery. An established clinic relationship facilitates prompt and appropriate treatment for injured workers.

Timely Reporting

After triaging the injured team member and providing prompt medical attention, it’s important that the injury gets reported to the appropriate parties immediately. Ensure that injury reporting is quick across all levels (supervisor, injury management coordinator and insurance carriers). Timely reporting is one important result of effective training and results in rapid return to work and minimized indemnity claims.

KEY IDEA

A Successful Injury Response Begins Before an Injury Occurs.
When team members and supervisors understand what to do, where to go for care, and how to communicate after an injury, the organization can respond with greater consistency while helping the injured team member move toward a safe recovery and return to work.

Expedited Return to Work

From the moment an injury is first examined, there should be considerations made as to when the team member will be able to return to their duties. Recovery at Work programs tend to result in better health outcomes and preserve many important benefits, such as health coverage, that are contingent on attendance. Recovery at Work programs also tend to limit claims costs to medical costs only.

Whenever possible, employers should facilitate a return to work in order to minimize indemnity payments, because even small indemnity payments can have an adverse effect on your experience modification.

To facilitate your Recovery at Work program:

• Communicate caring and concern as soon as possible, letting the injured team member know that you care about their well-being and want them back on the job as soon as they are able.
• Give the injured team member forms to take to the doctor. These forms allow the doctor to authorize return to work and note any temporary restrictions a team member may have.
• Follow up with the injured team member by finding out how the doctor’s visit went. Together, you can formulate an appropriate Return to Work plan.

THE HOLT GROUP | Here to Help | www.theholtgroupllc.com

This Work Comp Insights is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinion be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for appropriate advice. © Zywave, Inc., The Holt Group LLC All rights reserved. All images are from Google Images and Story Blocks. Revised 2026