Every new loss-time workers’ compensation claim potentially has eight issues that need to be addressed and resolved: coverage, compensability, medical management, disability management, litigation management, SIU investigation, reserve analysis, and third party investigation. Budgeting time and prioritizing each aspect of the claim-handling process, whether it affects the issuance of benefits or subrogation, can be very challenging, particularly on complex, catastrophic cases. Even with the assistance of specialists, such as a nurse case manager, defense attorney, or SIU investigator, the examiner is still faced with the formidable, multifaceted, and, at times, daunting task of addressing each individual issue and managing the claim to a favorable, equitable resolution.
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