604 N. Main, Suite G  Wichita, KS.  67203, Tel: (316) 383-7342, Fax: (316) 383-7674

Mick McBride, Risk Manager

The Risk Management Department works to protect Sedgwick 
County assets and provide a safe work environment for employees,
thus ensuring their ability to provide uninterrupted delivery 
of services to the citizens of Sedgwick County.

The Risk Management Department is responsible for developing, coordinating, and administering a comprehensive insurance program involving property, liability, and other special coverage necessary to protect the County and its employees. This includes overall management of existing self-insurance programs, acquisition of a broad range of insurance and development of operating strategies to accommodate the County’s insurance needs. Other functions include development implementation and monitoring of departmental safety programs as well as enforcement of compliance with federal and state safety laws and County resolutions and relations.

Risk Management is staffed with three full-time personnel:
 
Mick McBride, Risk Manager
(316) 383-7342
Responsible for complete departmental operations;

Diana Mansouri, Safety Coordinator
(316) 383-7609
Manages Sedgwick County’s safety and health programs;

Linda White, Workers’ Compensation Specialist
(316) 383-7608
Manages the County's Workers Compensation Program.

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Insurance Programs:

* Property and Contents

All Sedgwick County facilities and their contents are insured with replacement value coverage. A complete facilities inventory system is in place, and updated quarterly. Information Services Equipment and Emergency Communications equipment are included in this coverage.

* Boiler Machinery

         Coverage for all boiler machinery breakdowns.

* Kansas Coliseum Liability

Comprehensive General Liability for all areas of operation. Vendors and other users of the Coliseum are required to present proof of insurance covering their particular activity or event.

* Fleet Vehicle Liability

All vehicles are insured with $500,000 single limit liability. This coverage includes a $100,000 deductible for each occurrence. $60,000 uninsured motorists coverage is also maintained.

* Emergency Medical Service Liability

Professional liability is carried on all first responder employers.  This includes EMS and Sedgwick County Fire Department.

* Health Department Professional Liabilities

          Professional malpractice liability covering staff and
          operation of  Sedgwick County Health Department staff.
          Director/Doctor is covered by separate malpractice policy.

* Mental Health Institutional Liability

Professional malpractice liability covering staff and operation of the Sedgwick County Comprehensive Care (COMCARE). COMCARE is considered a health care provider under the Kansas Health Provider Act, and is subject to a mandated State fund assessment. Coverage for staff psychiatrists is under individual policies. 

* Coroner Liability

Professional coverage for District Medical Examiner and the Assistant County Coroner.

* Excess Workers Compensation

Coverage above the County’s self-insured workers compensation program. Retention for each accident is $500,000 for all employees. Mandated State retention under the Workers Compensation Act is $250,000.

* Money and Securities

Coverage for loss of money and securities within the premises of scheduled locations in the County and while being conveyed by a messenger or any armored motor vehicle.

* Sheriff’s Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Coverage for accidental death and dismemberment for all Sheriff Officers in the course of their employment.

* Aircraft Insurance

Coverage for replacement cost of airplane and bodily injury/personal damage liability coverage for passengers and citizens.

* Unemployment Insurance

Provides management services to control costs associated with unemployment insurance.

* Miscellaneous Bonds

Provide mandated bond coverage for certain employees and elected officials including Commissioners, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Sheriff, and County Engineer.

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* Workers Compensation

The present Workers Compensation Program remains cost effective. All accidents are reported to the Risk Management Department where they are checked for accuracy and files initiated. Medical invoices associated with claims are forwarded to a contract attorney for approval. Temporary total disability and other payments related to workers compensation are processed through Risk Management. Record keeping and claims paid accountability are accomplished by Risk Management. A contract attorney is utilized for litigated claims.

* General Liability and Public Official’s Liability

The County has elected to self-insure its general and public official’s liability coverage. This decision is based on the courts upholding of the Kansas Tort Claims Act. This act provides for governments to be protected or immune from lawsuits (liability) from certain governmental actions. The liability for any tort in one occurrence is $500,000. This act fundamentally provides a cap or ceiling on the County’s liability exposure. Specific liability insurance greater than $500,000 per occurrence should not be considered, because a provision of the Tort Claims Act states the limits of liability are $500,000 or equal to the amount of specific insurance coverage. Additional specific insurance would remove the $500,000 threshold.

* Risk Management Reserve Fund

Non-tax fund established by resolution to allow for large retention or deductibles in connection with self-funded insurance program and for those not covered elsewhere.

* Workers Compensation Fund

This fund pays Workers Compensation claims, administration of claims, legal expenses in connection with workers compensation claims, and State of Kansas assessment fees associated with maintaining a self-insured status.

* Health Insurance Fund

This fund pays for Health, Dental and employee life insurance premiums.

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A loss control (safety) program for Sedgwick County has been established specifically for Workers Compensation and vehicle liability incidents. The development of an effective Risk Control Program began with documentation and analysis of loss data and ended with a safety and loss prevention policy. Safety training is currently being conducted for Sedgwick County employees in several different areas as a result of this policy and identification of certain areas of concern with respect to workers compensation injuries, and vehicle damage incidents. Sedgwick County safety committees are being utilized to enhance overall loss control.

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• develops policies and procedures

• monitors changes in federal and state statutes and professional standards to ensure compliance

• prepares reports

• subrogates insurance claims

• reviews certificates of insurance

• reviews contracts of insurance responsibility

• prepares and submit applications for self-insurance

• conducts safety and health training 

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• defensive driving program

• back injury prevention training

• ergonomics in the workplace classes

• violence in the workplace policies and training

• repetitive motion injury prevention training

• workers compensation information class

• workers compensation payments

• monthly/quarterly/annual management reports

• risk management policy (118-1989)

• safety and loss control policy (138-1998) 

• hazard communication policy (207-1992)

• OSHA blood-borne pathogens policy/program (19-1994)

• fleet vehicle usage policy (225-1999)

• employee safety handbook

• claims, handling and reporting of accidents/incidents

• hepatitis immunization program for applicable personnel

• annual flu shots

• Safety Committee

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* National Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA)
* National Safety Council (NSC)
* Founding member of Kansas PRIMA
* Kansas Safety and Health Conference Planning Committee
* Sedgwick County Safety Committee
* Fire Department Safety Committee
* Zoo Department Safety Committee
* Public Works Safety Committee

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Claim Procedures

In accordance with policies listed in “Products” above, the following procedures for Reporting accidents/incidents is prescribed:

Accidents resulting in bodily injury to any person, whether employed by the County or otherwise, and incidents resulting in property damage, destruction or illegal taking of County property, shall be reported immediately to Risk Management.  Supervisory personnel at all levels are requested to comply with these guidelines and principles.  Citizens may request a “Claim for Damages” form from Risk Management for submission in connection with any alleged loss they may have suffered.

The Risk Manager shall be immediately notified by phone at 383-7342 or by e-mail at prippee@sedgwick.gov of all losses or damages following any non Workers Compensation or vehicle accident/incident.  Voice mail will record notification during non-working hours.  It will be the responsibility of Risk Management to determine whether the incident is covered, and by which applicable coverage, (insurance, self-retention, etc).  For self-funded losses, the Risk Manager will determine claim validity, and whether it will be settled in Risk Management or forwarded to the Sedgwick County Legal Department.

Workers Compensation – Self-funded program which provides coverage as prescribed under the State of Kansas Workers Compensation laws for injuries or death to employees arising out of their employment with Sedgwick County.  (Reporting for this coverage is outlined in the Safety and Loss Prevention Policy).

Fleet Vehicles – Sedgwick County vehicles are self-funded for collision and comprehensive losses.  A Fleet Vehicle Liability Policy is maintained on all County vehicles and Fire District vehicles.  (Reporting for this coverage is outlined in the Fleet Vehicle Operations & Usage Policy).

Emergency purchases for losses which may cause serious loss or damage to public or private property and/or endanger the health or lives of citizens unless immediate action is taken to contract for goods or services, or both, without following normal reporting procedures shall be coordinated directly with the Purchasing Manager.

Elected officials, division directors or department heads should not notify an insurance agent directly, or authorize repair services without approval of the Risk Manager and/or Purchasing Manager.

After initial notification to Risk Management, elected officials, division directors or department heads will follow-up with a written report (Outlook may be used) to include detailed information as suggested below:

1. Date and time of incident, or date and time act was discovered. Date, time and method of reporting incident to law enforcement agency; if applicable.

2. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of all persons involved in the incident.

3. Cause of loss or damage, or circumstances surrounding the act of discovery.

4. Description of loss or damage, to include amount of money, inventory, etc.

5. Estimate cost to repair or replace.  Original cost if available.

6. Recommended method and vendor for making repairs if possible.

7. What is being accomplished to salvage any damaged property and the location of any damaged property.  Damaged property will not be discarded without prior approval of Risk Management.

8. In cases of misappropriated property, the name of employee(s).

9. Copies of all previously submitted reports to anyone, i.e., immediate supervisors, police, medical personnel/hospitals, etc.

Risk Management will prepare and file a final claim containing proper documentation with the appropriate insurance company and monitor the progress of all claims.  Reimbursement for losses will be deposited as directed by the County Controller to the proper fund.

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