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In cooperation with the

In cooperation with the. Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges. Accident Investigations: Avoiding Common Mistakes. Kim Nimmo Risk Services Consultant Louise Cobbs Claims Counsel July 14, 2005. Objectives. Establishing and Conducting Training on Accident Reporting

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In cooperation with the

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  1. In cooperation with the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges

  2. Accident Investigations:Avoiding Common Mistakes Kim Nimmo Risk Services Consultant Louise Cobbs Claims Counsel July 14, 2005

  3. Objectives • Establishing and Conducting Training on Accident Reporting • Recognizing the Occurrence of an Accident • Providing Medical Assistance • Documenting and Preserving Evidence • Continuing Monitoring Appropriate Cases

  4. True or False?

  5. So…why is this important? • Information is perishable • Ultimate reduction of risk • Changes in policies and procedures

  6. Establishing and Conducting Training on Accident Reporting

  7. Management’s Role • SUPPORT the process • Ensure your support is visible • Get involved and attend training • Insist on periodic reviews and updates • Conduct periodic audits of investigations • Implement ways to measures effectiveness

  8. Supervisor’s Role • Treat all near misses as accidents • Get involved in the investigations • Complete the paperwork to make corrective actions • Follow-up on your actions

  9. Employee’s Role • Report all accidents immediately • Always provide complete and accurate information • Follow-up with any additional information • Contribute to make corrective actions

  10. Qualifications • Understanding the importance of investigations • Accident investigation training • Ability to communicate details

  11. Recognizing the Occurrence of an Accident

  12. What Other Employees Don’t Know • What incidents should be investigated • Reporting procedures

  13. What Should Be Reported • All injuries regardless of severity • Vehicular, structural or equipment damage • Procedural deficiencies • Potentially unsafe conditions • Potentially unsafe behaviors • Near-miss incidents

  14. When to Investigate • Immediately after incident • Witnesses memories fade • Evidence and clues are moved or lost • Finish initial investigation quickly

  15. Golf Course Case

  16. Sample Form

  17. Providing Medical Assistance

  18. Ensure Appropriate and Effective Medical Assistance • Professional evaluation • Institutional concern and support • Legal effect of no treatment

  19. Documenting and Preserving Evidence

  20. Gathering Evidence Just the facts!

  21. Critical Documentation: Be Specific • What happened and when? • Where did it happen? • Who was involved? • Who witnessed it? • Who responded?

  22. Preparing a Report: What to Include • Injured party information • Witness information • Description of the premises and other relevant conditions • Securing physical evidence

  23. Accident Details • Weather conditions • Location of each individual • Destination • Reason for being there • Familiarity with location • Type of surface • Foreign objects or substances

  24. Time of the Accident • Date • Time of day • School-sponsored event • When was the last time the area was inspected? By whom?

  25. Injuries / Damages • Physical signs of injury • Difficulty moving parts of body • Taken to hospital? • Treatment given and by whom • Evidence of property damage • Statements made relating to prior history

  26. What You DON’T Want in Your Reports • Subjective conclusions or assumptions as to who is at fault • Opinions on how accident could have been avoided • Unsubstantiated evidence

  27. Interviewing Tips • Discuss what happened leading up to and after the accident • Encourage witnesses to describe the accident in their own words • Don’t be defensive or judgmental • Use open-ended and non-leading questions

  28. Document the Scene • Identify accident location • Take photographs • Draw a diagram • Take measurements

  29. Concrete Curb Case

  30. Use of Technology • Laptops • Surveillance cameras • Security tapes • Cell phone records • Instant messaging & E-mail records

  31. Continuing Monitoring Appropriate Cases

  32. Monitoring Appropriate Cases • “Cool head, warm hearts” • Accidents involving injuries can’t be filed away • Notice to insurers • Was any defect reported? When, and to whom? • Was action taken? Was it documented?

  33. Summary Provide training Investigate accidents immediately Stick to the facts Provide medical assistance Conduct corrective actions

  34. Five minutes before the party is not the time to learn to dance! Snoopy 1964

  35. Q & A

  36. Thank you! Kim Nimmo Louise Cobbs (301) 215-6403 (301) 215-9538 knimmo@ue.orglcobbs@ue.org

  37. United Educators: “Education’s Own Insurance Company” • A reciprocal risk retention group founded in 1987 • UE is owned by 1,200 colleges, universities and schools • High-quality custom coverage insurance coverage tailored specifically to the needs of educational institutions • Provide claims service sensitive to education’s unique environment • “Cool head, warm heart” approach to catastrophic claims • Ensure fiscal stability through financial planning and underwriting • Committed to partnering with members to manage areas of risk • “A” rated by A.M. Best Nobody Knows Education Better

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