Risk Management Services Welcomes New Member
The SC Municipal Insurance Trust has welcomed, the Town of Summit effective as of May 1.
For more information about SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund and SCMIT membership, contact Robert Collins, underwriting manager, at rcollins@masc.sc or 803.933.1279.
Spotlight on Claims
The claims section of the Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services provides claims handling for the members of the SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund and SC Municipal Insurance Trust. SCMIRF claims adjusters handle property and liability claims while SCMIT adjusters handle workers’ compensation claims.
Cindy Martellini is the claims manager of both the SCMIT and SCMIRF programs. The SCMIT claims staff includes Tony DesChamps, claims analyst; Senior Claims Adjusters Sue Grist, Harriett Robinson and Mike Woodall; as well as Brenda Kegler, associate claims adjuster. The SCMIRF claims staff includes Mike Waslewski, assistant claims manager; Senior Claim Adjusters Deanna Davis and Rem Williams. Judy Phillips, senior claims adjuster, handles subrogation, excess reporting and Medicare reporting for both SCMIT and SCMIRF.
The SCMIRF claims staff, (Back Row, l-r) Rem Williams, Mike Waslewski (Front Row, l-r) Judy Phillips, Deanna Davis, Cindy Martellini
The SCMIRF claims staff handle different tasks each day, including calling and emailing members, claimants and attorneys; reviewing coverage contracts; confirming coverage of property; assigning appraisals; reviewing estimates and medicals demands; ordering and reviewing police reports; completing loss investigations; submitting subrogation referrals; negotiating settlements; preparing settlement releases; attending mediations; discussing coverage or claims with underwriting and loss control staff; and adjudicating old and new claims.
The SCMIT claims staff handle similar tasks which include calling and emailing members, claimants and attorneys; submitting documentation to the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission, reviewing medicals notes; confirming compensability; submitting subrogation referrals; negotiating settlements; attending mediations and informal conferences; discussing coverage or claims with underwriting and loss control staff; and adjudicating old and new claims.
The SCMIT claims staff, (Back Row, l-r) Judy Phillips, Brenda Kegler (Front Row, l-r) Sue Grist, Tony DesChamps, Cindy Martellini (Not pictured - Harriett Robinson, Mike Woodall)
Beyond the recurring tasks, claims staff often provide education to members and claimants about the claims process. They also support claimants by providing a listening ear as well as educating them about the importance of healthy lifestyles, attending doctor appointments and reporting accidents or injuries.
Claims staff attend a minimum of 10 mediations or informal conferences each year. They also visit members assigned to their territory on a three year rotating basis.
The claims staff find interacting with SCMIT and SCMIRF members to be rewarding, and they enjoy helping settle claims in ways that fulfills the best interests of the member and the claimant. They work hard to build great relationships with the members.
Hazard Analysis and Mitigation Training
In April, Risk Management Services was able to conduct its first in-person training session in over a year. The sessions took place in Walterboro, Newberry and Dillon. John Ciesielski, loss control consultant, and Elizabeth Ramirez, senior training consultant of Vale Training Solutions, conducted an interactive session on hazard analysis and mitigation.
Ciesielski presented on the different stages of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection, including the opening conference, walkthrough, hazard abatement, closing conference and formal conference.
Ramirez presented on preparing for natural disasters, actions to take after a disaster as well as the claims process.
The training was recorded and is accessible in LocalGovU.
One of the “Hazard Analysis and Mitigation Training” sessions took place at the Walterboro Wildlife Center on April 20.
Fair and Impartial Policing Training
On May 19, Risk Management Services staged the training session “Fair and Impartial Policing: Understanding Bias and Duty to Intervene,” presented by instructors from the Mobile Training Unit of the SC Criminal Justice Academy. Brad White presented on the differences between implicit and explicit bias, stereotyping, prejudice, racism, discrimination and profiling, how biases are formed and how officers can overcome personal biases. Darren Amick explained officers’ duty to intervene, their ethical responsibility to intervene and ways to intervene.
The SC Criminal Justice Academy Mobile Training Unit offers free training to law enforcement officers in South Carolina. Find more information about the unit and its services.
Law Enforcement Training on May 19, 2021
2021 Risk Management Services Training
Mark your calendar for the 2021 training courses for SCMIT and SCMIRF members. Risk Management Services will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 to ensure the safety and wellbeing of members, and will maintain appropriate safety protocols at each meeting.
“Elevating Inclusive Excellence” (Risk Management Institute elective course)
- August 10 – Moncks Corner Train Depot
- August 11 – Municipal Association of SC, Columbia
- August 12 – Simpsonville Senior Activity Center
“Public Works/Utilities Risk Management Training” (Risk Management Institute Core Course)