Murdoch’s and Pinnacol hitch up for claims success

Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply, a retailer known for its family-friendly atmosphere and “down-to-earth” farm supplies, started 30 years ago in Bozeman, Montana. It now has more than 40 stores that fan out across five states. 

With big stores and even bigger merchandise, Murdoch’s understands the importance of employee safety. Jen Carpino, the company's risk management specialist, maintains a culture in which every employee, from the newest hire to the most seasoned veteran, takes ownership of workplace safety. 

But accidents do happen, and Jen actively manages claims when an employee is hurt on the job. When she was looking for a workers’ compensation carrier that could match her focus for Murdoch’s 15 Colorado stores, she turned to Pinnacol. 

Navigating workplace risks

"We are nonstop, so anything can happen," says Jen, highlighting the hazards of a retail setting where employees handle heavy merchandise, operate machinery, and interact with customers. 

Murdoch's faces the typical retail risks such as slips on wet floors, strains while lifting bags of feed, and cuts from opening boxes. Because of the wide variety of hazards, Jen has made safety training a critical part of their operations - one that starts with an employees’ onboarding and continues frequently after. 

Seasoned trainers have to be at their best so that new employees absorb the safe way to do their jobs. “Younger workers think they’re invincible,” Jen says with a laugh.

Everyone has a stake in safety initiatives, from the management team to frontline employees. By creating a shared responsibility for safety, Murdoch's aims to reduce accidents and injuries, creating a more positive work environment for all.

On-the-job recovery

Murdoch’s maintains a robust return-to-work program that accommodates employee needs during recovery, allowing them to return to work sooner and maintain their income. "We will accommodate almost any kind of restrictions,” Jen explains. “We’ll have them printing pricing labels, sitting down at the cashier, and helping customers.” 

Staying active is a critical part of recovery, both physically and emotionally. 

Studies show that workers who miss more than six months of work have about a 50 percent chance of getting back to their job. Murdoch’s approach puts employees on the road to full recovery and helps keep workers' compensation costs under control.

“Jen’s success returning people to work after an injury tells me Murdoch’s has a high-level of trust with their employees,” said Cammey Rodlin, Pinnacol claims lead. “Murdoch’s employees know the company cares about their wellbeing.”

The Pinnacol partnership

Murdoch's policy with Pinnacol Assurance, which covers the chain’s 15 Colorado stores and 780 employees, has further enhanced their claims management process. "We are just rocking it in Colorado right now," Jen says, acknowledging the significant drop in lost-time claims since they started working with Pinnacol in early 2023. 

I don’t want to jinx myself, but we are rocking it in Colorado right now. - Jen Carpino

In fact, over a 20-month period the company has filed 56 claims, incurring just $19,512 in losses. Sixty percent of those claims were reported only with no medical cost. 

Pinnacol’s claims team took the time to learn about Murdoch’s unique business, risks and approach to workers’ comp claims. “We’re pretty aggressive and active on our claims,” Jen said. “Pinnacol gets that.”

Jen also appreciates having an experienced claims representative ready to respond to her questions. “Cammey is right there, finding an answer and emailing me back, tapping into other Pinnacol experts when necessary,” she said.

Cammey notes that the service she provides is Pinnacol’s standard. “We bring workers’ comp expertise and responsiveness to every customer,” she said. “Communication is key.”

Pinnacol’s online portal empowers Jen to be self-sufficient, accessing real-time claims status, injured worker progress and payments. 

The improved communication, easy-to-use online resources, and proactive support from Pinnacol have made a tangible difference in Murdoch's ability to handle claims efficiently and effectively.

A shared commitment

Murdoch's success in maintaining a safe workplace and effectively managing workers' compensation claims is a testament to their commitment to their employees. "We want them to go home in the same condition that they came to work in - or better," Jen says. 

It's come together very nicely and we've seen a huge drop in lost-time claims. - Jen Carpino

By fostering a safety culture, offering a robust return-to-work program, and partnering with Pinnacol, Murdoch's ensures that its employees have the safety net they need. 

Now, who needed that 100-pound bale of hay loaded up?