A parcel delivery company faced a significant workers' compensation challenge when one of their drivers was attacked by a homeowner's dog. Kinetic intervened to ensure the driver's recovery was fully supported while addressing an inflated medical reserve that threatened the company's loss ratio.
A delivery driver, Hernandez, was attacked by a homeowner's dog while delivering a package. He sustained multiple bites and puncture wounds, requiring a brief hospitalization for surgical and orthopedic treatment. He progressed well in his recovery, eventually returning to full duty.
Despite the worker's recovery, a disproportionate outstanding medical reserve remained on the file. This reserve substantially inflated the company's loss ratio. A thorough claims management review revealed that the bulk of this reserve was intended to cover hospital costs that had already been processed for significantly less, and the injured worker was already through most of his treatment plan.
Kinetic's Claims Management team initiated a collaborative dialogue with the adjuster. By highlighting Hernandez's successful recovery and return to work, Kinetic ensured the employee's well-being and progress remained central to the claim's narrative. Simultaneously, Kinetic provided evidence that the major medical bill was already processed. The adjuster significantly reduced the medical reserve, immediately improving the policyholder’s loss ratio and aligning the claim financials with actual exposure—a balanced outcome that celebrated the worker's health and protected the employer's financial standing.
Proactively partner with your broker and carrier claims team to regularly audit open claims and outstanding reserves. Ensuring reserves accurately reflect processed bills prevents artificially inflated loss ratios that drive up future premiums.
Provide your drivers with clear, standardized protocols for safely approaching properties with dogs to mitigate injury risk and protect your workforce.