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In cooperation with the

Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges

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Accident Investigations:Avoiding Common

Mistakes

Kim NimmoRisk Services Consultant

Louise CobbsClaims Counsel

July 14, 2005

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Objectives

• Establishing and Conducting Training on

Accident Reporting

• Recognizing the Occurrence of an Accident

• Providing Medical Assistance

• Documenting and Preserving Evidence

• Continuing Monitoring Appropriate Cases

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True or False?

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So…why is this important?

Information is perishable

Ultimate reduction of risk

Changes in policies and procedures

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Establishing and Conducting Training

on Accident Reporting

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Management’s Role

SUPPORT the process Ensure your support is visible Get involved and attend training Insist on periodic reviews and updates Conduct periodic audits of investigations Implement ways to measures effectiveness

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Supervisor’s Role

Treat all near misses as accidents Get involved in the investigations Complete the paperwork to make

corrective actions Follow-up on your actions

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Employee’s Role

Report all accidents immediately

Always provide complete and accurate information

Follow-up with any additional information

Contribute to make corrective actions

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Qualifications

Understanding the importance of investigations

Accident investigation training

Ability to communicate details

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Recognizing the Occurrence of an Accident

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What Other Employees Don’t Know

What incidents should be investigated

Reporting procedures

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What Should Be Reported

All injuries regardless of severity

Vehicular, structural or equipment damage

Procedural deficiencies

Potentially unsafe conditions

Potentially unsafe behaviors

Near-miss incidents

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When to Investigate

Immediately after incident Witnesses memories fade Evidence and clues

are moved or lost

Finish initial investigation quickly

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Golf Course Case

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Sample Form

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Providing Medical Assistance

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Ensure Appropriate and Effective Medical Assistance

Professional evaluation

Institutional concern and support

Legal effect of no treatment

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Documenting and Preserving Evidence

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Gathering Evidence

Just the facts!

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Critical Documentation: Be Specific

What happened and when?

Where did it happen?

Who was involved?

Who witnessed it?

Who responded?

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Preparing a Report: What to Include

Injured party information

Witness information

Description of the premises and other relevant conditions

Securing physical evidence

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Accident Details

Weather conditions Location of each

individual Destination Reason for being there Familiarity with location

Type of surface

Foreign objects or

substances

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Time of the Accident

Date

Time of day

School-sponsored event

When was the last time the area was

inspected? By whom?

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Injuries / Damages

Physical signs of injury Difficulty moving parts

of body Taken to hospital? Treatment given and by

whom Evidence of property

damage Statements made

relating to prior history

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What You DON’T Want in Your Reports

Subjective conclusions or assumptions as to who is at fault

Opinions on how accident could have been avoided

Unsubstantiated evidence

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Interviewing Tips

Discuss what happened leading up to and after the accident

Encourage witnesses to describe the accident in their own words

Don’t be defensive or judgmental

Use open-ended and non-leading questions

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Document the Scene

Identify accident location

Take photographs Draw a diagram Take measurements

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Concrete Curb Case

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Use of Technology

Laptops Surveillance cameras Security tapes Cell phone records Instant messaging &

E-mail records

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Continuing Monitoring Appropriate Cases

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Monitoring Appropriate Cases

“Cool head, warm hearts”

Accidents involving injuries can’t be filed away

Notice to insurers

Was any defect reported? When, and to whom?

Was action taken? Was it documented?

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Summary

Provide training Investigate accidents immediately Stick to the facts Provide medical assistance Conduct corrective actions

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Five minutes before the party is not the time to learn to dance!

Snoopy1964

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Q & A

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Thank you!Thank you!

Kim NimmoKim Nimmo Louise CobbsLouise Cobbs

(301) 215-6403(301) 215-6403 (301) 215-9538(301) 215-9538knimmo@ue.org lcobbs@ue.org

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United Educators: “Education’s Own Insurance Company”

A reciprocal risk retention group founded in 1987

UE is owned by 1,200 colleges, universities and schools

High-quality custom coverage insurance coverage tailored specifically to the needs of educational institutions

Provide claims service sensitive to education’s unique environment “Cool head, warm heart” approach to catastrophic claims

Ensure fiscal stability through financial planning and underwriting

Committed to partnering with members to manage areas of risk

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