Insurance
Home›Insurance›Industry & Deals›School district cuts workers’ comp days away from work…
School district cuts workers’ comp days away from work with modified duty
The district reduced claim frequency by 8%, claim severity by 11%, and cut average days away from work to 76 in FY 2024/25, down from 123 the prior year, after shifting from claims-only management to stronger provider ties and expanded modified duty.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District said it improved its workers’ compensation outcomes after bringing in a new risk management leader in March 2025 and overhauling how injured employees were supported during recovery, including stronger relationships with medical providers and more modified duty options.
According to Risk All Stars, the district found its earlier approach centered on claims administration rather than treating return-to-work as a strategic workforce priority. Without clearer work restrictions and meaningful transitional assignments, injured employees stayed disconnected from the workplace longer than medically necessary, leaving claims open longer, raising costs, and contributing to staffing shortages.
Risk & Insurance reports that the district began meeting directly with provider teams to understand their workflows, expanded its modified duty program, and used data to identify trends and barriers to return-to-work performance. The change was paired with ongoing safety reinforcement through regular safety meetings, site visits, and leadership engagement, aimed at building a shared return-to-work culture.
The initiative showed results, with the district reducing claim frequency by 8% and claim severity by 11%. The average number of days employees spent away from work fell by 65%, with average days away from work dropping to 76 in FY 2024/25, the lowest level in its five-year history, down from 123 the prior year, and average claim costs falling by 3%.