The Trust staff is comprised of a number of professional disciplines - claims adjustment, legal, medical, risk control and industrial hygiene, finance, systems technology - and these professionals are all dedicated to serving the membership.  This ready access to high level services is a significant reason why the Trust maintains an exceptional membership retention rate, year-in and year-out.

DVWCT's claims administration services are performed by its own staff.  We offer electronic claim filing services and detailed monthly loss reports.  We can also provide customized claim reports.  The claim services are tailored to the needs of the DVWCT members and are generally considered to be superior to similar services offered by third party administrators or commercial insurers. 

The Trust offers a management development training series conducted by a professional human resources professional, designed especially for new first-line supervisors and middle-level managers.

Other training programs offered by the Trust include confined space entry, practical first aid, defensive driving, managing seasonal employees, trenching & excavation, preventing violence in the workplace, hazard communication and workplace safety.  Hands-on defensive driving classes and access to driving simulators are both offered several times a year.  The Trust loans videos on numerous topics including workplace safety, hearing protection, heat stress, housekeeping, eye protection, ergonomics, hazard communication, winter and outdoor safety.

The Trust offers risk control surveys and specific training programs suited specifically to municipal exposures.  We have two full-time highly skilled risk control consultants on staff.  The Trust's risk control services include individualized attention in specific problem areas as required. 

Advantages of Membership

COVERAGE

• First municipal workers' compensation trust formed in Pennsylvania. Stable membership base for over 15 years of existence.
• History of rate reductions since inception in 1992.
• Case management services provided on medically serious, recurring, protracted recovery and atypical claims.
• Network of medical practitioners specializing in occupational injuries and illnesses, offering clearly defined referral path to specialists.
• Emphasis on developing treatment and return-to-work goals among injured employees, medical practitioners and member employers. 

CONTROL

• Trust is owned, managed and controlled by local governments in southeastern Pennsylvania.
• Each member appoints a trustee to Board of Trustees.
• Monthly Executive Committee oversight of professional staff.
• DVWCT staff employed and directly managed by Trust membership.
• Professional underwriting of prospective new members.
• Homogeneous group of members all of whom are professionally managed and located within the same geographical area.
• Loss control services designed by an industrial hygienist, tailored to meet the specific needs of each member.
• Access to extensive training program at no additional charge.
• In-house claims administration staff.
• Experience rating of all members.
• Control over defense of claims and defense counsel by Trustees.

FINANCIAL

• Non-profit, tax-exempt status. Low expense ratio.
• Excess surplus returned to members in the form of dividends. Nearly $11,000,000 in dividends has been returned to the membership since 1995.
• Strong surplus position reflects conservative funding and management.
• Reinsurance through "A" rated insurers.
• Investment income accrues to the benefit of membership.
• Expected loss funding calculated annually by casualty actuary.