As an examiner handling a third party case, what should be your primary concern?

In the context of handling a third-party case, the primary concern should be maximizing the employer's recovery. This is because when a worker is injured due to the negligence of a third party, the employer has the right to seek reimbursement for workers' compensation benefits they have paid out as a result of that injury. This involves pursuing subrogation claims against the third party and ensuring that the employer is compensated for the costs they incurred.

Maximizing recovery not only helps the employer financially but also encourages a more sustainable approach to handling claims within the workers' compensation system. By focusing on the employer's recovery, the examiner aligns with the objective of reducing overall costs borne by the employer, which in turn can influence future insurance premiums and the company’s bottom line.

While ensuring the employee's maximum benefits is an important consideration in workers' compensation overall, in the context of a third-party case, the primary goal shifts towards safeguarding the interests of the employer. Addressing litigation expenses and reducing claim processing time are factors to keep in mind, but they are secondary to the primary concern of maximizing recovery for the employer. This focus ensures that the employer's financial welfare is prioritized in the claims handling process.