"Accurate Personnel's success in winning the MRMH Award is not just a recognition of their commitment to safety but also a testament to the collaborative efforts of individuals like John Gonnella, whose strategic legal oversight has played a crucial role in the company's journey towards minimizing risk and maximizing employee well-being."
John Gonnella and Accurate Personnel: A Winning Formula for Safety and Well-being
Accurate Personnel recently celebrated a remarkable achievement by winning the prestigious MRMH Award, a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to creating a safe and healthy workplace environment. At the heart of this commitment is John Gonnella, Accurate's General Counsel since 2017, who plays a pivotal role in overseeing workers' compensation claims and contributing to the company's success in minimizing risk and maximizing employee well-being.
Q&A with John Gonnella:
Q: As in-house counsel, how do you support Accurate Personnel's commitment to safety and well-being?
A: As in-house counsel, I oversee all of our workers' compensation claims and am able to determine on a first-hand basis what kind of injuries our employees sustain, the causes or reasons for the injuries, as well as patterns in the types or causes of accidents that occur. With this information, the workers' compensation and safety teams are able to work together to recognize causes and prevent injuries before they happen, thereby increasing the well-being of our associates.
John's role is crucial in bridging the gap between legal oversight and proactive safety measures. By closely analyzing workers' compensation claims, he provides valuable insights that empower the safety teams to identify potential risks and take preventive actions, ultimately enhancing the well-being of Accurate's associates.
Q: What challenges have you encountered in balancing the reduction of costs and prevention in the context of risk management?
A: There are several challenges. One is identifying and preventing injuries before they happen. As Accurate is not always on-site at its client facilities, this is sometimes difficult. Moreover, the rising costs of medical and surgical procedures when someone does get injured make it difficult to keep costs manageable. Finally, strategic placement and proper training of candidates require improvement.
John acknowledges the complexities involved in risk management, particularly in preventing injuries when Accurate is not physically present at client facilities. Balancing cost reduction with prevention becomes challenging amid the escalating costs of medical procedures. He also highlights the need for improved strategic placement and training of candidates to mitigate potential risks.
Q: Can you share specific examples of areas where cost reduction measures were implemented without compromising safety?
A: The workers' compensation department added a nurse triage availability where associates are immediately provided access to someone when any type of injury occurs. We also work with CompCore Pro, which is a team of professionals, including a physician who reviews claims with us, to manage our claims. Both of these have helped to greatly reduce the number of filed claims, the cost of claims over time, and the length that claims stay open.
In detailing cost reduction measures, John highlights the implementation of a nurse triage availability and collaboration with CompCore Pro. These initiatives have not only reduced the number and cost of filed claims but also expedited claim resolution, showcasing a commitment to efficiency without compromising safety.
Q: In your opinion, how does a comprehensive examination of claims files and processes contribute to risk management?
A: A comprehensive examination of claims files and processes is a significant factor contributing to risk management. A proper claims analysis, based upon your company's established and time-tested policies and procedures, necessarily requires all persons involved with claims to have a grasp on what is happening with the files, why it is developing the way that it is, and how that claim may be resolved in the best way for both the company and the employee. This can then be used to determine how to handle similar claims in the future and/or prevent them from the outset. This is the core of risk management.
John emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive examination of claims files and processes as the core of risk management. By aligning with established policies and procedures, it enables the team to understand the nuances of each claim, derive insights, and implement strategies to handle similar cases more effectively, contributing to long-term risk mitigation.
Accurate Personnel's success in winning the MRMH Award is not just a recognition of their commitment to safety but also a testament to the collaborative efforts of individuals like John Gonnella, whose strategic legal oversight has played a crucial role in the company's journey towards minimizing risk and maximizing employee well-being.
