Seminar Addresses the Needs of the Seriously Injured
Axa Insurance and Workforce Plus held a seminar today (Monday 25th March, 2002) that discussed the benefits of rehabilitation services to seriously injured claimants. The seminar brought together a group of legal experts who deal with claims of this type.
"Rehabilitation of this nature has proven to be extremely successful internationally and has been adopted in the United Kingdom as part of the claim settlement process," said Beverly Webster of Workforce Plus. "The current approach in Ireland does not facilitate early intervention to assist the seriously injured. This is worsened if the person is not in a financial position to obtain the best possible care. Claims can take years to settle and during this time the injured party will often deteriorate both physically and psychologically and become increasingly isolated."
Axa and Workforce Plus are leading the way in pioneering this approach to the rehabilitation of the seriously injured.
"Rehabilitation can be expensive," said John O'Neill, Chief Executive of Axa "we believe that we have a moral duty to deliver these benefits to the injured party. We also see that early intervention benefits the injured party by maximising recovery while simultaneously shortening the recovery period."
The proposed approach will mean that Workforce Plus will provide a central co-ordinator of the services that an injured party would require. This co-ordinator or case manager is an advocate for the client in terms of funding, treatment alternatives and co-ordination of services combined with ongoing evaluation of their progress.
"Axa are leading the way with this approach" said Beverly Webster "we are delighted to see this recognition of the importance of early intervention and a co-ordinated approach to the provision of services to those who have been seriously injured".
For further information: Monina Nagle, Bill O'Herlihy Communications 6602744/087 7975633
About Workforce Plus
Workforce Plus, an initiative of the Rehab Group, was established to create a healthier and more productive Irish workforce. Workforce Plus addresses the growing rate of occupational accidents and ill-health in Ireland and the fact that prevention programmes and support systems for enabling an earlier return to work do not exist. Half of those who are absent due to illness or injury drop out of the workforce permanently of they do not return to work within five months. Workforce Plus assists companies and those that are ill or injured with a co-ordinated approach to rehabilitation and address the 'gap' in provision of services to these member of the workforce.