We often see unusual occurrences and claims in the claims management world, including claims that take strange turns and twists.  Sometimes these twists and turns are comical, while on other occasions they can be tragic. In some rare cases, the unfortunate occurrence of a work-related injury can lead to discoveries that ultimately benefit the employee. 

I recently read an article by a financial expert who was writing about overcoming debt. For people who found themselves in debt, he recommended that they stop using their credit cards or "If you're in a hole, quit digging."  That is, quit creating more debt.  While that is very sound advice in the financial world, in the claims world we often find ourselves in a hole, and it is almost never wise to stop digging.  

About 20 years ago a company received a workers' compensation claim from an employee in a manufacturing plant who fell in the bathroom.  He was in an authorized area and there was no question about the legitimacy of the claim, since several employees heard him fall. They ran to his side quickly, and fortunately the injury was minor.  However, the unusual thing about the injury was that the employee fell from atop the sink while inspecting his hemorrhoids in the mirror. I cannot think of one lesson that I learned from this incident, other than the fact that I can't believe he reported the claim as accurately as he did.  Also, I can't seem to get that picture out of my mind.