Injury Reporting and Workers' Compensation Leave

Employees are covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance which provides payment of medical expenses and partial salary continuation in the event of a work-related accident or illness. The amount of benefits payable and the duration of payment depend on the nature of the injury or illness. In general, all medical expenses incurred in connection with an injury or illness are paid in full, and partial salary payments are provided beginning with the eighth consecutive day of the employee’s absence from work.

It is important that all workplace injuries and illnesses are reported as soon as reasonably possible after they occur. Prompt reporting allows for quick identification and correction of hazards and rapid medical attention for injuries.

Initial Injury Reporting Requirements

If an employee is still on campus, the employee must:

• Report the injury or illness as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than the end of the workday or eight (8) hours after becoming aware of the injury or illness, whichever is earlier.
• Report the incident to the employee’s supervisor, who will then make a report to Human Resources, or the HOS.
• Notify the school nurse if medical intervention is necessary.

If the employee is not at work when the injury or illness becomes apparent, the employee must:

• Report the condition as soon as reasonably possible, but in no event later than eight (8) hours after becoming aware of the condition.
• Call his/her supervisor or Human Resources to report a work-related injury or illness.

Other Injury Reporting Requirements

In addition to these reporting requirements, the employee must also do the following:

• If medical attention beyond basic first aid is required, for instance, from an urgent care facility or hospital emergency room, the employee, his/her supervisor or authorized representative must notify Human Resources immediately. This is necessary to ensure the employee’s treatment will be covered by the School’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance policy, and to comply with policies set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• After receiving medical attention by a physician or hospital, the employee must notify the School of his/her expected recovery time. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance company will follow-up with the healthcare provider to determine the anticipated course of treatment and take other appropriate action, such as assigning a a nurse advocate to the employee to answer questions about the insurance coverage and to help the employee coordinate care.
• Complete the Employee Injury Report available through Human Resources.
• Follow fully and completely the instructions, advice and course of medical treatment prescribed by the doctor and keep all scheduled appointments to fulfill the prescribed medical treatment plan.

Incident Without Injury Reporting Requirement

A Workplace Incident Without Injury is defined as “an unexpected and undesirable workplace event that results in damage to equipment or facilities or which could have resulted in injury, illness or death.”

Employees must report all Workplace Incidents Without Injury in which he/she was involved, made aware of or observed. The report must be made as soon as reasonably possible, but in no event later than leaving the school for the day. The report must be made to the employee’s supervisor, or, if immediate emergency response is required, to Human Resources.

Leave While on Workers’ Compensation

If an employee needs to be absent from work due to a workplace injury and has filed a work-related injury report, the employee will be placed on the appropriate leave as provided for in this Handbook.

During the leave period, the employee should remain in close contact with Human Resources and provide a current telephone number and address. The employee should also promptly notify the school of all changes in medical condition.

The school will not terminate an employee who is on an unpaid leave of absence and receiving workers’ compensation benefits, except when the termination is for a legitimate reason independent from the employee’s workers’ compensation claim. The school may terminate an employee for violation of its absence-control policy that is uniformly enforced.

Returning to Work

The school wants to help employees who are on Workers’ Compensation leave return to work as soon as possible. Toward this end, the school will work closely with the employee, the Workers’ Compensation insurance company and the employee’s physician.

Note: This policy is not intended to supersede or modify the rights of employees eligible for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or leave benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Inquiries about the ADA or FMLA should be directed to Human Resources.