Everything That Manufacturers Need to Know About the First Report of Injury (FROI)

When an employee suffers an injury or illness at work, there are specific legal procedures that you must follow. Initially, you must fill out a first report of injury (FROI) form. This serves as the initial documentation of the injury and is eventually submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) or the workers' compensation authority where the injury occurred.

As the initial step in the workers' comp claims process, the FROI is crucial for evaluating and processing future claims. If it isn't filed on time, your business can face significant penalties. Ultimately, through better workers' comp claims management and timely FROI submissions, your company can reduce the cost of claims and ensure full legal compliance.

What Is the First Report of Injury?

Your FROI documentation is the first step in bridging the gap between safety and savings. It’s completed by the employer, provider, or representative after the worker has become injured at the workplace.

Who Is Responsible for Filing the FROI?

The actual form must be completed by three parties. While the employer can complete the form on behalf of the worker, the latter still must sign it, along with the medical provider, who will provide details about the injury, such as the treatment date and the medical conditions that are causally related to the workplace injury.

Important Due Dates

In Ohio, the FROI must be completed and turned in within one year of the injury. For occupational diseases, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, this timeline extends to two years. If you are struggling to complete this document on time, consider working with a workers' compensation professional to avoid unnecessary claim delays and ensure compliance.

The Ohio BWC tries to make completing these reports as straightforward as possible, so you can submit the document through fax, postal mail, or a convenient online form.

It's also important to note that some of your obligations may extend beyond the state of Ohio. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), you have just eight hours to report workplace fatalities to OSHA using an OSHA-specific form. If there is an amputation or inpatient hospitalization, you must file a report within twenty-four hours.

Key Information to Include in the Report

When you do submit the employee injury report, you are legally required to include certain types of information. Since the report must be filled out by the employer, worker, and medical provider, there are separate sections.

Employers must fill out the following details in the first part of the document.

• The worker's name, address, and contact information
• The employer's name, address, and contact information
• Whether the employee is working for a temp agency or not
• When the worker began working on the day of the injury
• The time the injury occurred
• Whether the employer was notified at the time of the injury
• The employee's wage rate
• The worker's typical schedule
• The employer's phone line for call-offs
• If the employee had to miss any work due to illness or injury
• The date the employer was notified
• Whether the worker missed eight days of work or more
• The name of the healthcare facility and the physician whom the employee used for treatment
• If the exposure or accident occurred at the employer's premises

Sometimes, injuries and accidents can result in fatalities. In these instances, there is a specific section to fill out, which includes inputting the cause of death.

There’s also a small section for the employee to sign and date. Afterward, the medical provider must put down information about the diagnosis, the cause of the injury, and the provider's contact information.

Finally, the employer has to include details like their policy number, address, and federal number. They must also designate whether the injured worker was an owner, a partner, or a person employed by the organization.

What Is the Goal of Filing Injury Reports?

As an employer, filing FROIs is a part of your legal requirements as a business. Furthermore, these reports help you track workers' compensation claims and manage expenses. For employees, timely reports make it easier to get medical assistance for work-related injuries.

Over the long run, completing this documentation can help improve your company's safety profile. Organizations will often discover commonalities between different claims and can then create new processes and safety procedures to prevent future injuries. By getting vital safety information, your company can lower the long-term costs of workplace injuries and ensure a healthier workforce.

The Consequences of Not Filing Your Workers' Injury Reports

In Ohio, you are required to file injury reports if a worker becomes injured. If you don’t, it can impact your workers' ability to get compensation for their medical claims. The government penalizes companies that file reports late. To ensure your compliance, you need a skilled workers' compensation administrator to manage workplace injury reporting and compensation claims.

Why Timely, Accurate FROI Reporting Matters

Timely reporting is necessary for accurate claims management and keeping your employees safe. However, many workplaces struggle to process claims within the one-year time limit. Also, even once the report is filed, it can be challenging to manage complex complaints.

Still, whether you're concerned about creating a safe workplace or want to avoid premium increases, there are a few important benefits to filing claims on time:

• Ensure your company's legal compliance.
• Improve the efficiency of workers' compensation claims.
• Reduce delays in claims processing.
• Guarantee accurate records and evidence preservation.
• Give workers faster access to medical care and support.
• Get data for analyzing injury patterns and preventing future injuries.

How the Right Third-Party Administrator Can Help With Initial Injury Reporting

As an employer, you are already busy trying to run a business. Learning how to administrate workers' compensation claims can take up a significant amount of your time. By partnering with the right third-party administrator (TPA), you can enjoy several key benefits:

• Improved safety at your workplace
• Reduced cost of workers' compensation claims
• Decreased likelihood of future injuries
• Avoidance of significant increases in your workers' compensation premiums

When a workplace injury occurs, it doesn’t just mean complex administrative procedures and a passel of forms. After all, the injured employee is a member of your company's family. Emotions can run high, making accurate, fact-based support difficult. Working with a TPA takes the onus off of your company's HR managers and EHS leaders.

Compensation Solutions, Inc. (CSI), can handle the entire intake, investigation, and adjudication process. Its teams make sure your company is in compliance by reporting the injury on time and ensuring that all the appropriate documents are filed. It also offers data analysis and reporting tools for spotting injury commonalities and preventing future claims. Additionally, CSI can provide support with return-to-work programs and medical management.

Learn More About Handling Your FROI Obligations with CSI

Over more than twenty years, CSI has helped Ohio businesses navigate workers' compensation claims. When you work with its team, you get a dedicated consultant who understands the pressures and demands of your industry. If a problem develops, they are your first point of contact, so they'll handle the claim from start to finish.

Workplace safety and workers’ compensation are closely linked. Ohio manufacturing businesses can reduce workers’ compensation claims and premium costs by prioritizing proactive EHS strategies and injury prevention. It’s time to bridge the gap between safety and savings. Protect your workforce and reduce your costs. Discover how CSI can help you lower your workers’ compensation expenses.