Key Risk helps employers manage workers compensation claims. Employers are out to make a profit. Any vendor they have hired for workers’ comp management exists to help them maximize profit. The profit maximization comes from a number of different arenas, but, mainly, at the expense of the injured worker. We’d certainly recommend you deal with a workers’ compensation lawyer, not directly with Key Risk.
Helping Employers (NOT INJURED WORKERS) Save Money
Founded in 1986, Key Risk is a W.R. Berkley Corporation that provides workers’ compensation insurance to businesses nationwide. Key Risk’s programs are designed to reduce workers compensation costs for employers. Key Risk serves over 5,000 clients in the United States. The Corporation is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, and has a number of local locations, including regional offices throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The company’s members include a variety of businesses from retailers to healthcare providers, including Weigel’s Convenience Stores, Biltmore Company, and Vaughan Bassett Furniture.
When an employee in a business insured by Key Risk is injured on the job, Key Risk requires that the employee first notify his supervisor of his injury. The employee must then give his supervisor all of the information regarding the accident, so the employer can notify Key Risk. Any information that the employee gives to the employer can be used against him in the workers’ compensation action. The employee’s supervisor then provides him with a list of physicians that he must use for treatment. While the employee’s supervisor may make the employee feel like this list is exhaustive, that is not the case. Employees are not required to see a doctor on the list provided; they may see any doctor as long as the doctor takes workers’ compensation.
It’s Best to Have an Attorney
Key Risk also suggests the employee should notify the healthcare provider that Key Risk administers the employee’s workers’ compensation program. This is likely completely unnecessary in Maryland. Employers and their third-party administrators (like Key Risk) will often suggest something is required when it’s not actually required by law or by the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Sometimes, the only way to tell the difference is by getting an experienced workers’ comp attorney.
Upon returning to work from treatment, the employee should provide the employer with documents informing the employer of his work status. (Usually reuired – speak to your lawyer.) A Key Risk adjuster is then assigned to investigate the employee’s claim. It is important to keep in mind that it is the Key Risk adjuster’s goal to pay as little as possible for the employee’s treatment. Although they may express their impartiality, Key Risk is an advocate for the employer, not the employee. Even if a claim is denied, the employee may be entitled to compensation. Key Risk’s denial of the claim is not binding. If you have been denied by Key Risk, speak to an attorney about getting compensation.
Key Risk in Baltimore and Maryland
Key Risk is listed in the Comp Pinkbook as the 67th largest insurance company with 27 awards paid against such claimant attorneys as Michael Eisenstein, Jeffrey Silver and Steven Rohan. However, this doesn’t take into account that Key Risk manages the programs for large, self-insured municipalities. One major example includes the Mayor and the City Council of Baltimore (Baltimore City government). A group within this group is the Baltimore City Police. Claimant lawyers here include Mitch Gordon and us, Byron Warnken, Rebecca Smith and Warnken, LLC.
Sources:
- http://www.wrberkley.com/our_business/key_risk/index.shtml
- http://www.wcc.state.md.us/
- http://www.injurylawyerdatabase.com/pinkbook/
Further Reading:
http://www.mdcomplaw.com/info/workers-compensation-lawyers/why-you-need-a-lawyer-an-example/
