Policy Title: Reporting a Work Related Injury

Responsible Office: Human Resources
Policy Officer: VP for Finance and Administration
Scope:
|Faculty |Staff

Approved By: President's Council

Approved Date: 11/1/2011

Effective Date: 11/1/2011

Category: Faculty and Staff


Description/Purpose:

Workers' Compensation Program

Details:

Despite the best health and safety efforts, accidents do occur on the job. An injury may be considered in the course of employment when it occurs while an employee is engaged in the business of Saint Francis University. Because the University is concerned about protecting the health and safety of its faculty and staff, the University, in cooperation with the University's workers' compensation insurer, provides coverage for work injuries and illnesses and strives to provide the best medical care possible in compliance with the Pennsylvania Workmen's (Workers') Compensation Act.

After being informed about a work related injury, the University works closely with the University's workers' compensation insurer to make sure an employees care is both effective and appropriate. Employees are required to treat with a panel physician for the first 90 days following an injury. All employees sign an acknowledgment at the time of hire and when injured.

Reporting Injuries or Incidents

  1. When a medical emergency occurs, call 911, University Police, or seek prompt medical care at one of the emergency care facilities listed on the panel of medical providers provided to the employee upon hire and available from Human Resources.

  2. Report the incident to the employees supervisor immediately and prior to leaving for the day.

  3. Notify University Police.

  4. Prepare a first report of injury (available from University Police or Human Resources). If the employee is incapacitated the supervisor will complete the form. This form should be completed and returned to University Police within 24 hours of an injury or upon return to campus for traveling employees such as coaches The first report of injury is also available via the local web.

  5. All injuries must be reported even though an employee may not desire or need medical treatment. Failure to report an injury immediately may jeopardize any claim for benefits.

Medical Treatment

  1. The University's workers' compensation insurer will contact the employee upon receipt of the report from the Risk Manager.

  2. An employee shall be seen by a panel provider. Failure to seek medical care from a panel physician may jeopardize any claim for benefits.

  3. Treatment required beyond the initial 90 calendar days may be continued with the designated panel physician or with a physician of the employee's choice. 

  4. The University's workers' compensation insurer will provide the employee's supervisor and the Risk Manager with information regarding the employee's medical evaluations and prognosis for recovery. The employee should keep his/her supervisor or the Risk Manager informed weekly regarding appointments and his/her prognosis of returning to work.

Return to Work:

  1. The employee is expected to return to work as soon as a physician advises and provide the supervisor with a return to work statement from the treating physician. The supervisor will forward this release to Human Resources.

  2. If medically possible, an employee may return to work on a modified duty schedule until recovered.  Every attempt will be made to return the employee to his/her regular job and department. However, in some instances the employee may be temporarily assigned to modified duty in another job due to the nature of the restriction.

  3. After an employee returns to work, any follow up appointments with a physician should be scheduled before or after work hours. Medical providers such as physical therapists typically have extended hours. If this is not possible, employees are permitted to make up lost time away from work (where possible) or charge the lost time to accrued paid leave. Any lost time or shift of missed work is countable towards the 7-day waiting period (see below).

Workers' Compensation benefits

  1. The University will compensate an employee for the remainder of the day of the injury.

  2. A seven (7) calendar day waiting period is applied to all workers' compensation injuries in accordance with the Act. The University is not required to pay employees during this time period. If an employee is off work longer than 14 days, then he/she is paid the (7) calendar day waiting period through the University's compensation carrier.

  3. During a (7) day waiting period, the University will pay a full-time employee a rate of wages based on the prevailing compensation rate of earned gross income (as determined by the workers compensation carrier). The employee may choose to utilize available sick and vacation time for the difference or if applicable, time can be made up. Part-time employees do not receive any wages from the University during a 7-day waiting period.

  4. The University's workers' compensation insurer investigates and determines the compensability of a claim. If the claim is compensable, after eight (8) calendar days the employee will be placed on unpaid leave of absence from the University and will receive benefits from the University's workers' compensation insurer through the duration of the absence (subject to qualifications).

An employee receiving workers' compensation benefits may not receive any other forms of paid leave (sick, vacation, or short or long term disability).

Maintaining Participation in University Benefit Programs

  1. During a workers' compensation absence, the employee shall make arrangements with Human Resources to pay for any employee paid portion of benefits (health care coverage).

  2. Vacation and sick leave are not accrued while an employee is receiving workers' compensation benefits.

Application to Family and Medical Leave

  1. Family and Medical Leave shall run concurrently with workers' compensation absences as applicable. In accordance with the FMLA policy, an employee is expected to apply for leave when he/she is off work for more than three consecutive working days for family or medical reasons. Application for medical leave should be made with Human Resources.

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