Reducing Cost of Health Care by Addressing Workers' Compensation Costs

PITTSBURGH (Map) - PITTSBURGH, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Health care facilities, like all Pennsylvania businesses, strive to contain their increasing costs of doing business by reducing workers' compensation expenses driven by claims made against them. Realizing that health care facilities face unique challenges in the frequency and types of on the job injuries sustained by health care workers, the Pittsburgh based law firm of Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal is helping health care facilities implement effective strategies designed to minimize their workers' compensation exposure thereby lowering the overall cost of health care.

The continuing public debate regarding medical coverage and controlling expenses is at the forefront of not only the presidential campaigns, but it is also a topic of concern for Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania legislature.

Fried, Kane managing partner Michael Sherman stated, "The health care industry faces difficult issues in analyzing workers' compensation claim trends, reviewing existing claims and implementing effective strategies designed to meet the needs of individual health care facilities. To help health care executives navigate through the oftentimes complex and confusing Pennsylvania workers' compensation system, Fried, Kane has published The Health Care Executive Workers' Compensation Advisor. We are committed to providing innovative, creative strategies to all health care facilities in an effort to effectively and confidently handle their workers' compensation issues which helps reduce the overall cost of health care." The Health Care Executive Workers' Compensation Advisor is part of Fried, Kane's ongoing efforts to inform Pennsylvania businesses and its clients on important topics related to workers' compensation law.

Attorney Linda Judson, a former nurse, reviewed the most recently available injury statistics provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and noted an increase of nearly 10% in the number of work related injuries affecting health care providers in 2006 when compared with injuries occurring in 2005. She observed, "Although the most prevalent injury sustained by health care workers is overexertion resulting in sprains and strains, health care professionals also face dangers from exposure to blood borne pathogens, falls, and other types of injuries unique to the health care industry."

Working closely with individual facilities, Fried, Kane provides risk management solutions including advice on Pennsylvania certified workplace safety committees, risk management strategies, designating health care providers, return to work programs and other services designed to reduce workers' compensation costs.

The Health Care Executive Workers' Compensation Advisor is available online at http://www.friedkanelaw.com or a copy can be obtained by calling Fried, Kane at 412-261-4774.

Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal is the largest Pittsburgh based law firm solely focused on representing employers, insurance carriers and third-party administrators in all matters of Pennsylvania's workers' compensation law.