We want to hear from you! Email us your comments or suggestions for upcoming issues to: claiminfo@davidcoreycompany.com

Do you need some help with home modifications?

Insurance is based on the principle of indemnification, or returning one to approximately the same position after a loss as they was before the loss. This can be pretty easily achieved in property claims but can be rather ambiguous with Workers Compensation claims. Most therapist approach a home assessment with the mind set of including everything they can possibly think of to make life as easy as possible on the insured. Frequently this approach leaves the insured and the insurance company at odds. True, many of the recommendations provided by a therapist would be nice to have, but how many of them are actually medically necessary and how many of them are really the responsibility of the insurance company?

I believe that far too often the modifications that are provided are more disabling than helpful. If we authorize modifications that encourage dependence, then independence will seldom if ever be achieved. Work hardening programs are designed to get the injured worker back to their previous job or at least retrain them in meaningful employment. We expect them to be independent and productive in the work place but then turn around and treat them like they are totally dependent in their own living environment. It seems to me that if we paid as much attention to “living skills hardening” as we did to work hardening, we’d create happier stronger and more independent individuals. We might even save a buck or two on home modifications.

If you do not wish to receive this e-publication and the free tips on home modifications that will be included in future issues, please click here and simply write “remove me from your data base” in the subject section.