At Crawford, we don’t just see claims. We see people who have been impacted by loss and the effects it has on them and their families. Living with this compassion on a daily basis helps each of us find a purpose behind each action we take. And, in some situations, we are able to hear stories that inspire us to be better not just at our jobs but as human beings. These stories are the ultimate embodiment of our mission to restore and enhance lives, businesses and communities.
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association (SCWCEA) created the Inspiration Award with these stories in mind. Each year, they aim to “recognize, celebrate and share the journey that injured workers experience during their recovery and return to employment,” and acknowledge the support, assistance and contributions provided by teams of adjusters, case managers and others that helped along the way.
This year, SCWCEA recognized Broadspire adjuster, Mary Brault for her work on a claim that was like many others we see but with a unique story. This injured worker’s leg was caught in an auger, resulting in a life-changing leg injury that could have proven fatal if not for the quick thinking of a heroic coworker.
As a result of the injury, he had to have one of his legs amputated. Despite this, he was determined not to be defined by his injury. From the moment he arrived home from the hospital, his goal was to be able to stand again so that when his daughter ran to him, he could catch her in his arms and lift her into the air.
Thanks to the injured worker’s positive attitude, hard work and effective medical care from his providers, he was able to achieve his goal and return to work in only three weeks. Today, he is at maximum medical improvement (MMI) full duty with minor restrictions. He now has a bionic leg and is back to his regular routine, enjoying hobbies and taking care of his family.
From the claims handling side, Broadspire adjuster Mary Brault matched the positive attitude throughout the process, as she does with every claim. She worked tirelessly to help him get back to work as quickly and efficiently as possible, communicating with those impacted with compassion and a determination to truly make a difference in their lives.
“My goal is to make every injured worker, even the ones with a thick outer shell, love me. If it takes me calling an injured worker every day just to check-in, I’ll do it,”
said Brault. She continued, “At the end of the day, I want everyone to feel like they are a priority and that my job is more than checking boxes and sending payments.”
By building relationships of trust with injured workers, their families and employers, Mary is able to help influence positive outcomes for everyone involved. While Mary’s positive outlook and actions are inspiring to us, she finds inspiration in the injured workers, taking on each claim as an opportunity for growth, development and compassion. Upon receiving the prestigious award, Mary commented that “going through this experience with this particular injured worker was extremely rewarding and has changed my perspective for the better. It has ultimately reinforced my belief to always lead with compassion.”
