Reducing Cost of Health Care by Addressing Workers' Compensation Costs

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.
SOURCE Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal

Paul S. Homick, Jr. of Fried, Kane, Walters, Zuschlag and Grochmal,
+1-412-261-7447, Cell: +1-724-640-8457, psh@friedkanelaw.com