Top 5 Mistakes Independent Teams Make in Workers’ Comp Management
In the independent and minor league sports world, every dollar is tracked and every dollar counts. Our teams run lean, staff wear multiple hats, and most leaders juggle everything from sponsorship sales to stadium operations.
But one area that consistently gets overlooked — and can cost more than any rainout or lost sponsor — is workers’ compensation management.
Whether you have 10 employees or 200 seasonal staff, the way you handle injuries, reporting, and follow-up can make or break your financial stability and your culture.
Here are the top five mistakes I’ve seen independent teams make — and how to avoid them.
1. Waiting Too Long to Report an Injury
Time is everything in workers’ comp. Delayed reporting leads to confusion, higher claim costs, and frustrated employees.
Too many teams wait until “after the game” or “when the season slows down” to file an incident. By then, details are fuzzy and medical issues can escalate.
Fix it: Train managers and supervisors to report immediately. Even a same-day call or email to your carrier can save thousands in claim costs.
2. Relying Only on HR (or No One at All)
In many small teams, workers’ comp becomes a side task — handled by whoever has time. That leads to inconsistent processes, missed documentation, and preventable mistakes.
Fix it: Establish clear ownership. Every incident should have a point person who gathers details, tracks progress, and communicates updates. If you don’t have a full-time HR role, assign a trained operations or finance lead to manage claims.
3. Focusing Only on Players
Yes, athletes are the most visible injuries in baseball. But your liability doesn’t stop there. Groundskeepers, ushers, ticket takers, and concession staff are all part of your exposure.
Many teams make the mistake of over-preparing for on-field injuries while ignoring the ones that actually drive most claims — slips, trips, and falls among your staff.
Fix it: Build a comprehensive plan that covers everyone, not just players. Safety training for part-time and seasonal employees should be part of your pre-season checklist.
4. Treating Workers’ Comp as a Compliance Box
Filing reports and posting the required notices is not enough. Workers’ comp isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about protecting your people and your reputation.
When employees feel ignored or unsupported after an injury, morale drops and turnover rises. That can damage your brand just as much as a poor season record.
Fix it: Treat every claim as a chance to reinforce care and professionalism. Follow up personally, communicate openly, and make sure employees know their well-being matters.
5. Failing to Train Managers for Quick Response
Your managers are your first responders. They’re the ones on-site when incidents happen — but few are ever trained on what to do next.
Without that training, small mistakes can snowball: delayed reports, missing documentation, or uncertainty about medical care.
Fix it: Implement quick-response training before every season. Teach managers how to document incidents, when to send an employee for medical care, and how to update insurance information. One hour of training can prevent weeks of headaches later.
Final Thought
Independent and minor league teams thrive on creativity and efficiency — and your approach to workers’ comp should be no different.
By acting quickly, training staff, and showing genuine care for your employees, you don’t just lower claims costs — you build a stronger, safer, and more professional organization.
Because in the end, workers’ comp management isn’t just about compliance. It’s about culture.
At GameDay Advising, we help sports organizations strengthen operations, design safety programs, and train staff to reduce risk — so your team can focus on winning on and off the field. Click here to schedule a 30 minute consultation and we can discuss your current workers’ comp procedures.
