Download - In cooperation with the
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In cooperation with the
Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges
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Accident Investigations:Avoiding Common
Mistakes
Kim NimmoRisk Services Consultant
Louise CobbsClaims Counsel
July 14, 2005
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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
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True or False?
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So…why is this important?
Information is perishable
Ultimate reduction of risk
Changes in policies and procedures
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Establishing and Conducting Training
on Accident Reporting
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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
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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
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Employee’s Role
Report all accidents immediately
Always provide complete and accurate information
Follow-up with any additional information
Contribute to make corrective actions
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Qualifications
Understanding the importance of investigations
Accident investigation training
Ability to communicate details
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Recognizing the Occurrence of an Accident
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What Other Employees Don’t Know
What incidents should be investigated
Reporting procedures
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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
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When to Investigate
Immediately after incident Witnesses memories fade Evidence and clues
are moved or lost
Finish initial investigation quickly
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Golf Course Case
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Sample Form
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Providing Medical Assistance
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Ensure Appropriate and Effective Medical Assistance
Professional evaluation
Institutional concern and support
Legal effect of no treatment
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Documenting and Preserving Evidence
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Gathering Evidence
Just the facts!
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Critical Documentation: Be Specific
What happened and when?
Where did it happen?
Who was involved?
Who witnessed it?
Who responded?
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Preparing a Report: What to Include
Injured party information
Witness information
Description of the premises and other relevant conditions
Securing physical evidence
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Accident Details
Weather conditions Location of each
individual Destination Reason for being there Familiarity with location
Type of surface
Foreign objects or
substances
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Time of the Accident
Date
Time of day
School-sponsored event
When was the last time the area was
inspected? By whom?
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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
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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
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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
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Document the Scene
Identify accident location
Take photographs Draw a diagram Take measurements
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Concrete Curb Case
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Use of Technology
Laptops Surveillance cameras Security tapes Cell phone records Instant messaging &
E-mail records
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Continuing Monitoring Appropriate Cases
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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?
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Summary
Provide training Investigate accidents immediately Stick to the facts Provide medical assistance Conduct corrective actions
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Five minutes before the party is not the time to learn to dance!
Snoopy1964
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Q & A
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Thank you!Thank you!
Kim NimmoKim Nimmo Louise CobbsLouise Cobbs
(301) 215-6403(301) 215-6403 (301) 215-9538(301) [email protected] [email protected]
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