SFM-The Work Comp Experts

June 9, 2022

Prevent heat-related illness among your employees with these tips and tools for working in extreme heat.

June 8, 2022

Read our ergonomics in the workplace tips to learn how to adjust your work space to allow for neutral posture at work; both in and out of the office.

May 24, 2022

SFM conducted an in-depth study of school employees in Minnesota to learn which employees were most likely to be injured, and how. What they learned might surprise you.

April 25, 2022

SFM Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Kathy Bray is among this year’s recipients of the Minnesota Lawyer In-House Counsel Awards.

April 18, 2022

U.S. employers have the right to encourage or require employees to vaccinate against COVID-19. This raises the question of compensability for adverse reactions from the COVID-19 vaccine, and related medical treatment and time lost from work. A key factor for workers’ compensation compensability is whether the vaccination was required by the employer.

April 5, 2022

Small Business Accounts Claims Specialist Beth Couette has worked at SFM for nine years, and in the workers’ compensation industry for 35 years. We asked Beth for some details about herself and her role.

March 24, 2022

By all objective measures, SFM’s financial results for 2021 are outstanding. From reaching new heights in customer retention to setting records in new business and total written premium, the company has excelled in virtually every category of performance.

March 24, 2022

Hundreds of agencies have signed up to have their commissions deposited directly into their bank accounts. If you haven’t signed up yet, now is the time!

March 24, 2022

SFM recently promoted Sarah Hunter to Vice President, Claims, succeeding the retiring Meg Kasting.

March 24, 2022

SFM’s territory expansion successes continue as the team finds opportunities to get their feet on the ground in our two newest states.

March 24, 2022

Three SFM representatives participated in this year’s Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA) Annual Convention in Wichita, Kansas on January 24-26.

March 24, 2022

The results of our latest agent survey are in, and agents gave SFM high marks on ease of doing business.

March 24, 2022

Two attorneys from SFM’s in-house law firm have taken up leadership roles in the Minnesota legal community.

March 24, 2022

The attorneys of SFM's in-house law firm compiled a win/loss record of almost 80% (15-4) in 2021 for hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul, Minn.

March 24, 2022

For over a dozen years, the SFM Foundation’s annual golf tournaments have been the charity’s top source for fundraising.

March 16, 2022

The WCRA has announced a $600 million surplus distribution to its members and insurer policyholders. Approximately $383 million will go to workers’ compensation insurers, $182 million will be distributed to self-insurers, and $35 million will go to policyholders.

February 16, 2022

SFM recently promoted several of the organization’s leaders to the role of Vice President.

February 7, 2022

Minnesota’s workers’ compensation law has been temporarily amended to include a presumption of liability for certain workers with a positive COVID-19 laboratory test or clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 when a test is not available.

January 13, 2022

Just as eating fruits and vegetables can play an important role in physical health, research suggests there may be a similarly simple way to improve mental health – having a hobby.

January 13, 2022

SFM Loss Prevention Specialist Jason Clausen hopes employers he works with will see him not as a safety inspector, but as a safety champion and business partner.

January 13, 2022

On average, employees will spend a third of their lives at work, so it’s safe to say their jobs have a huge impact on their quality of life. That means it’s important to ensure their time is spent in an organization where they can have healthy relationships with their colleagues.

November 10, 2021

Recent MN Supreme Court decisions create a new bright-line rule about the compensability of medical marijuana in workers’ compensation claims.

November 10, 2021

For PTSD to be covered by workers’ compensation, it must meet the criteria as described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

September 15, 2021

Winter slips and falls are among the most common causes of workplace injuries. As an employer, there’s a great deal you can do to prevent these injuries at your workplace.

September 13, 2021

A new artificial intelligence-powered tool helps loss prevention representatives quickly identify any high-risk body positions during a job task.

July 19, 2021

SFM’s claims representatives share their top tips for employers when dealing with workers’ compensation claims.

June 16, 2021

Fast, accurate injury reporting can reduce frustration for everyone involved. Watch out for these common mistakes.

May 5, 2021

SFM's most viewed blog posts cover important safety and workers' compensation claims topics.

April 29, 2021

Relatively short exposure to blue light can temporarily stimulate the brain and improve mood. Prolonged exposure, however, is likely to damage retinal cells over time.

April 29, 2021

A recent study by global staffing firm Robert Half indicates that workers may be suffering from video call fatigue. Among the 1,000 people surveyed, 76% said they participate in virtual meetings and that they spend about one-third of their workday in front of a camera.

April 29, 2021

When one of your employees is injured in the course and scope of employment and a negligent third party bears some responsibility, we can sometimes recover a portion or all of the workers’ compensation claim costs from the responsible party through subrogation.

February 3, 2021

What workers' compensation waiting periods are, what they mean for bringing employees back to work and how they differ between states.

January 26, 2021

You must report all workplace injuries to your workers’ compensation insurer, but in some cases you must also report injuries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

January 26, 2021

Your e-mod is used to calculate your workers’ compensation premium that’s based on your workers’ compensation claims experience.

January 20, 2021

Follow these four tips to reduce the risk of injuries while shoveling snow, so you can get back inside safely.

January 14, 2021

Using the “Step down, not out” method when getting out of a vehicle or stepping off a curb forces you to stand up or step flat footed, eliminating the chances of slipping.

December 29, 2020

Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese determined that an injury to a muscle in the rotator cuff is considered a shoulder injury for the purpose of determining permanent partial disability benefits.

December 29, 2020

The Minnesota Supreme Court addressed the rights of intervenors in workers’ compensation proceedings in the August 12, 2020, decision of Koehnen v. Flagship Marine Company and Auto Owners Insurance Company.

November 16, 2020

Keep employees safe by providing them training and personal protective equipment tailored to the specific chemicals they’re using.

November 9, 2020

SFM Foundation was featured on Kare11's "Communities that Kare" segment, showcasing the impact scholarships have made on families.

October 21, 2020

You hope a work injury doesn’t occur, but if one does, use this four-point accident analysis plan to investigate.

October 7, 2020

Reporting minor injuries helps create a record in case the injury becomes more severe. Incident-only claims won’t affect your premium.

September 8, 2020

Amid the frenzied transition for many people to work from home, some important aspects of a healthy workplace may have taken a backseat, such as mental health considerations, communication practices, ergonomic adjustments and general safety preparations.

September 4, 2020

In response to feedback from employers and workers, we’re offering a new option when you call the SFM Work Injury Hotline to report injuries.

September 4, 2020

It can be challenging to determine whether an employee’s injury is considered work related, even in the typical work environment. Working from home can present unique workers’ compensation issues due to the inevitable mix of work-related and personal activities.

July 29, 2020

Falls from ladders continue to be a top cause of workplace injuries. Remind yourself and your employees about proper ladder safety with resources from SFM.

July 15, 2020

Injured workers covered by SFM now have 24/7 digital access to their claim information through SFM’s website through a new online portal.

July 8, 2020

Methods for safe lifting include: keep your head up, keep the load close, use a staggered stance, and remember "nose follows toes" to avoid twisting.

June 29, 2020

Ideally, your employees will let you know if they are injured, but what if they don’t? You might still be legally required to report.

June 29, 2020

Reporting injuries through the SFM Work Injury Hotline provides injured employees the opportunity to speak with a nurse and get a treatment recommendation. Here's what to expect when you call.

June 29, 2020

Immediately reporting injuries improves medical care, accident investigation, contact with medical providers and communication with injured employees.

June 25, 2020

SFM ranked ninth among medium-sized employers in the Star Tribune's Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota for 2020 based on anonymous surveys of employees.

May 22, 2020

Mobile devices like laptops, tablets and cell phones all pose ergonomic challenges, but here are ways to minimize the risk.

April 22, 2020

Research paints a picture of just how expensive work-related stress can be, both for workers’ health and for their employers.

April 7, 2020

Most Minnesota workers retire at 67, but employers may have to continue permanent total disability benefits if an employee continues working past the expected age.

March 30, 2020

With more employees working from home due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, many policyholders have turned to SFM for answers on liability questions concerning the home office. 

March 25, 2020

Some work injuries don’t occur at a specific time, but rather they are the result of a degenerative process that takes place over months or years.

March 19, 2020

Follow these guidelines to avoid pain and strain while working from home.

March 18, 2020

If your organization offers internships, be aware that even unpaid interns could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

March 11, 2020

Standing desks or sit/stand workstations are becoming an increasingly common option, but they come with their own risks and benefits for worker health and safety.

February 25, 2020

We have many safety-related videos on our YouTube Channel that you can watch and share with your staff.

February 12, 2020

Because the duration, symptoms, diagnostic testing and treatment in each case are so varied, concussions can be very complex and costly to treat.

February 5, 2020

Post-injury depression can prolong a claim and delay return-to-work. Here are steps employers can take to lower the risk of depression.

January 28, 2020

Managing claims Q&A. Claims representatives answer common employer questions about workers' compensation claims.

January 15, 2020

Workplace safety and health are moving beyond "do no harm" to include overall employee well-being.

January 8, 2020

Here are a few things you should know about independent medical examinations.

January 7, 2020

SFM Foundation's Golfing for Scholarships event ranks #8 of top 25 metro-area golf tournaments in 2019 as published in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

December 6, 2019

While claims representatives are injured workers’ primary contact, they might also hear from medical, rehabilitation or legal professionals.

November 20, 2019

Workers in manufacturing are exposed to a variety of dangers in the workplace. Although manufacturing can be a fast-paced environment, it's important to slow down and focus on worker safety.

November 13, 2019

Serious injuries can result from falling down stairs. Using a handrail and staying free from distractions can prevent you from slips and falls when going up or down stairs.

November 6, 2019

Watch this video to learn how to avoid slipping and sliding this winter.

October 23, 2019

Depression and anxiety. Let’s talk about them. It’s time to shine a light on common disorders that often go unmentioned at work.

October 10, 2019

If you’re like many employers, you spend considerable time and money making sure your organization adheres to OSHA requirements. It may be tempting to view this as the finish line for preventing injuries, but in reality, maintaining a truly safe workplace means going well beyond compliance.

October 2, 2019

You might see retailers chasing shoplifters in the movies, but in the real world it’s not a great idea. An employee could fall, get hit by a car or worse.

September 11, 2019

Learn how SFM is working to prevent opioid addictions with injured workers before they start.

September 4, 2019

Ear injuries can occur anytime someone is welding without ear protection, and the risk is especially high when a welder is working at an odd angle.

August 28, 2019

Employers are can be frustrated to learn that employees injured while violating company safety rules can still receive workers’ compensation benefits in some cases.

August 26, 2019

SFM was recently recognized by the City of Bloomington as one of eight local employers who are supportive of breastfeeding mothers. 

August 7, 2019

Use these tips to avoid burns while working in a kitchen.

July 24, 2019

If you have employees who drive as part of their jobs, your driving policy should address cell phone use. Use our sample cell phone policy as a guide to create your own.

July 17, 2019

Defend yourself against workplace accidents by being aware of hazards. Be a good example. Practice safety in every aspect of your job.

June 25, 2019

Read our premium audit tips to make sure yours goes smoothly, and understand why your annual workers' compensation premium audit is so important.

June 19, 2019

When an employee returns to work after an injury, make sure the employee understands the importance of working within medical restrictions and take these steps to prevent re-injury.

June 13, 2019

Claims representatives talk about how they help injured workers recover and return to work in a new SFM recruiting video.

June 6, 2019

Make sure prospective hires understand the job and that new employees are properly trained to cut down the risk of injury.

May 29, 2019

Typically, an injury sustained in an activity that is truly voluntary is not compensable. But if the employee is encouraged or required to participate, or the company benefits from the participation in some way, it could be.

May 15, 2019

Employees can experience stress and burnout when they don’t take enough time to fully disconnect from work.

May 9, 2019

Employees who are injured while taking a short break from work can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. What happens when the injury occurs while the employee is working from home?

April 17, 2019

When injured workers have medical restrictions, it’s sometimes tough to find transitional jobs. That's why SFM created a free listing of ideas, broken down by industry.

April 10, 2019

Employees who are working overseas temporarily are generally covered by their employers' domestic workers' compensation policies.

April 3, 2019

Lessen the risk of a slip-and-fall injury by encouraging or requiring your employees to wear slip-resistant shoes, and providing a stipend to make compliance more likely.

March 27, 2019

Taking opioid painkillers long term, or in high doses can have a major impact on an injured worker’s recovery and return to work.

March 13, 2019

You may have employees who are struggling with their mental health. Offering assistance and education about mental health can help them get back to a healthy place.

March 7, 2019

Thawing and freezing in late winter can cause dangerous slips and falls. Keep an eye on weather conditions and use caution to prevent injuries.

February 27, 2019

An estimated 2,000 eye injuries happen every day in the workplace. You can reduce the risk by knowing the hazards and wearing proper protective eyewear.

January 28, 2019

Fatigue and sleep deprivation in the workplace come with severe costs to health, safety and the economy.

January 23, 2019

Keeping workers safe from dangerous materials is vital, yet compliance standards for proper management of hazardous chemicals can present challenges.

January 11, 2019

It’s more dangerous to work in a hospital than to construct one. That’s based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data on non-fatal injuries by occupation.

January 9, 2019

We asked SFM’s loss prevention representatives what we’d find in the safety kits they keep in their cars in case of roadside emergencies. Here's what they said.

December 19, 2018

Many litigated workers’ compensation cases could have been avoided if the employer had taken the time to show concern for the employee’s welfare during the early stages of the claim.