What is a First Report of Injury (FROI), and how do you file one?
Quick summary:
- A First Report of Injury (FROI) is the form an employer files to notify their workers’ comp insurer about a workplace injury
- It should be filed by a supervisor or manager, not the injured employee
- Filing quickly, ideally within 24 hours, gets the employee into care faster and keeps the claim from stalling
- Some details are needed to file right away; others can be added once you have them
What is a First Report of Injury?
A First Report of Injury is the document that starts the workers’ comp claims process. When an employee gets hurt on the job, this form tells your insurer what happened, so they can open a claim, connect the employee with care, and start processing benefits.
It’s not the same as an incident report you might keep for internal records. A FROI goes directly to your carrier and sets the claim in motion.
Who should file a FROI?
A supervisor, manager, or HR contact should file it, not the injured employee. The person filing needs to be someone who can speak to the facts of the incident and follow up with additional details as they come in.
When should you file a FROI?
As soon as possible. Most states require employers to report a workplace injury within a set window, usually measured in days rather than weeks. The exact deadline varies by state, so check your state’s specific requirements if you’re not sure.
That said, don’t wait for the deadline. Filing quickly, ideally within 24 hours, gets the injured employee into care faster and keeps the claim moving instead of stalling out before it starts.
What information do you need to file?
You don’t need every detail on hand to get started. Some information is required upfront, and some can follow once you have it.
Needed to file:
- Policy number
- Injured employee’s name
- Date of injury
- Occupation
- Description of the injury
- Body part(s) affected
Can be added after filing:
- Employee’s contact information
- Employment status (full-time, part-time, seasonal)
- Wage information
- Time of injury
- Last day worked
- Witness information
- Medical provider information
- Return-to-work details
If you’re missing something on the required list, don’t hold off. Reach out and get the process started. The rest can catch up.
How do you file a FROI with EverPeak?
EverPeak manages the policy, and we partner with Builders to guide the claims process from report to resolution.
- Get medical care first. If it’s an emergency, call 911 or head straight to the nearest facility.
- File your claim online. Once the employee has been seen and the injury reported to you, start a claim.
- Let us take it from there. A dedicated claims representative follows up within 1 business day to walk through the next steps.
What happens after you file?
Once your FROI is in, a claims representative reviews the details, confirms coverage, and reaches out within 24 hours. From there, they coordinate medical care, manage documentation, and keep you updated so the claim keeps moving without you having to chase it.
The bottom line
A workplace injury is stressful enough without a confusing claims process on top of it. Filing a FROI quickly and accurately is the single best thing you can do to get your employee the care they need and keep your claim on track.
At EverPeak, we offer competitive rates starting at $18 a month, and our claims team responds within 24 hours to help you handle whatever comes up. Start a claim or get a quote to see how we can cover your business.
