Is the Holistic Approach Applicable

Ya’Sheaka C. Williams

We have been talking about the holistic approach for a few years now, prompting several questions…

• What is the holistic approach? • Is the holistic approach even possible in Workers’ Compensation? • Why are we even talking about the holistic approach? • How do we get started?

Here are a few answers. The holistic approach requires we provide support that looks at the entire person—the whole person—not just their physical health needs. Holistic support considers physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

The holistic approach is not only possible, but it is the best approach to use in Workers’ Compensation. It empowers the recovering worker and at the same time considers the entire worker’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. When that occurs, the workers feel heard, understood, and can approach their claim more positively. They begin to view their claim clearly and their interactions are seen through a more positive lens.

Why are we talking about the holistic approach? Because for the Workers’ Compensation industry to move forward, we have to be better for the industry to be seen in a more positive light. Those most impacted people must have positive experiences. That starts with all of us.

For so many years, we have all focused on the accident, injury, and settlement and have, at times, forgotten about who is at the center of this process: the recovering worker. The pandemic has required us to take stock of what we do every day and how we can do it and be better.

Keeping the recovering worker at the center, as the focal point of what we do every day, we accept and decide to positively influence their experience. Also, putting yourself in the shoes of the recovering worker will help you to be more compassionate and diligent in how everyone participates in the system.

When considering the compensability of an accident, we can be considerate of informing the workers of other options for recovery, i.e., health or auto insurance. When there is a delay in the payment of indemnity benefits, communicating with the employer about the importance of providing payroll timely will help in getting the indemnity out sooner while at the same time communicating with the employee if there is a delay and the cause of the delay and empowering their involvement in the process. Leaving a person uninformed lets them create a reality that may not exist. They may feel ignored, thrown away, or discarded, when in fact, there is a delay because payroll hasn’t been provided, the contact person is on vacation, or several other reasons. In Workers’ Compensation, silence can be deafening.

We can start applying the holistic approach by instituting communication. Open lines of communication allow us to keep everyone who is involved informed. The adage that information is key is so applicable to Workers’ Compensation. Feeling heard and understood begins with open and consistent lines of communication. Starting with communication, we can holistically participate in the Workers’ Compensation system in a positive way to impact the lives of our workers a helpful whole way.

Together, let’s make a difference by holistically participating in the Workers’ Compensation industry. Let’s be the change agents the system needs. Let’s be the reason the industry has a positive impact on the lives of recovering workers.

Ya’Sheaka C. Williams is a partner in the Tampa office of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. She represents employers, self-insured employers, and insurance carriers in all aspects of workers’ compensation claims, appearing before Compensation Claims judges throughout Florida. She was recognized as an expert in workers’ compensation law by the Florida Bar when she became Board Certified by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. She is also a Certified Workers’ Compensation Law instructor by the Florida Department of Financial Services and has presented numerous classes and seminars to employers and claims adjusters throughout Florida.