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Complexities with return to work after violence can be bridged: Panel - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Complexities with return to work after violence can be bridged: Panel by Louise Esola Kelly Hagenbuch (left) of Hospital Central Services and Jean Feldman of Sentry Insurance speak on return to work at Rimsworld. Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety May 6, 2026 PHILADELPHIA — By acknowledging employees’ hesitation, fears and uncertainty — and by offering safe, meaningful modified work options — employers can make a return to work after a violent workplace incident feel collaborative instead of imposed, according to panelists Wednesday at the Risk & Insurance Management Society’s Riskworld conference. Tammy Bradley, Birmingham, Alabama-based vice president of clinical strategies and market insights at Enlyte, opened the session with a stark reminder that workplace violence is becoming a bigger workers compensation issue. Ms. Bradley cited National Council on Compensation Insurance data showing a 5.3% increase in workplace assaults between 2011 and 2022 and a 63% jump in assaults per 1,000 workers over that period. “These trends make it clear that violence prevention is inseparable from any effective return-to-work strategy.” To illustrate the challenge, Ms. Bradley presented a common workers comp case study: a 36-year-old store clerk robbed at gunpoint while working alone. The worker suffered bruising and acute emotional distress. Attendees were asked to identify barriers to returning the employee to work and strategies to overcome them. Working in small groups, risk managers reached similar conclusions: that the employee might never be able to return to that same store. But that assumption, panelists said, is exactly what employers must rethink. Jean Feldman, Tampa, Florida-based director of managed care at Sentry Insurance, said employers and insurers need to stop focusing only on physical injuries and instead consider what an employee is able to do — not just what restrictions they have. “I like to think what they’re able to do. Put it in a positive spin,” Ms. Feldman said. “We need to start changing our jargon that we use so often, from restrictions for the injured worker to something more user friendly — what they can do.” That could mean modified duty in a different department, a different shift or even a different location if the original worksite triggers fear or anxiety. In some cases, she said, a nurse case manager can help bridge that transition. “This is where on our more complex claims is where a nurse case manager can come in and assist,” she said, helping claim teams understand whether an employee has real fear about returning to a specific workplace and how to guide that recovery process. Kelly Hagenbuch, corporate safety director at Hospital Central Services, a hospital supply company, said return-to-work planning must be embedded within workplace violence prevention programs. That starts with clear reporting processes, strong job descriptions and regular physician engagement. At her organization, physicians visit job sites and observe tasks firsthand so they can better assess safe work options. “We can’t have that ‘well, we’ve always done it that way’ mentality,” Ms. Hagenbuch said. “We need to move forward with the times.” She also urged employers to carefully evaluate employee assistance programs rather than treating them as a check-the-box benefit, noting that strong EAP access can reduce claim duration and help employees return faster. Panelists said successful programs rely on strong communication, quick reporting and partnership among employers, employees, medical providers and claims professionals. Return-to-work plans should consider operational impacts and avoid rushing employees back before they are physically and emotionally ready. “Don’t unnecessarily return to work,” Ms. Hagenbuch said. “We want to make sure, from an employer’s perspective, that the environment is safe … and then, is the employee ready, physically, emotionally?” Related News Allianz Commercial to transition cyber business to Coalition May 6, 2026 Marijuana rescheduling expected to change comp reimbursement claims May 6, 2026 Lockton appoints Culbertson to lead US real estate practice May 6, 2026 Caution when using Gen AI to interpret insurance policy language: Attorney May 6, 2026 Risk reshaped by war, climate, cyber: Experts May 6, 2026 Specialty rates fall in 2025 and at Jan. 1 renewals: WTW May 6, 2026 Consumers will likely have beef with Chipotle’s shrinking bowls May 6, 2026 Employers urged to balance cost, compliance and care in comp claims May 6, 2026 RIMS honors risk managers during annual conference May 6, 2026 Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in Business Insurance is a singular, authoritative news and information source for executives focused upon risk management, risk transfer and risk financing. 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