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A. On-the-job injuries must be reported

B. Supplemental benefits

C. Eyewear and chiropractic services

 

Injury on-the-Job
AFSCME 5.16

Revised January 1, 2003

A. On-the-job injuries must be reported

1. Employees should report all on-the-job injuries to their supervisor as soon as possible. Failure to report the injury the same day of occurrence may result in denial of the claim.

2. The supervisor must report the injury on the Occupational Injury/Illness Report form and forward to Worker's Compensation within 24 hours regardless of whether professional medical attention or lost time is indicated. An Employer Authorization for Treatment form must be completed prior to or at the time treatment is sought. This form is available from Worker's Compensation.

3. The University has the choice of the attending physician for treatment of on-the-job injuries. Employees should check with their supervisor before seeking medical care except in emergency cases. If there are questions, contact Worker's Compensation. If the employee believes that treatment is needed, the employee must go to the IU Health Occupational Services (East), formerly Promptcare. If the center is closed or it is an emergency situation, the employee must go to the IU Health Bloomington Hospital Emergency Room.

B. Supplemental benefits

Full-time appointed employees receive supplemental benefits (in addition to those provided by State law) when injury or occupational disease is incurred while performing their duties. Supplemental benefits are as follows:

1. For the first 40 regular scheduled work hours of disability in a payroll calendar year in which an employee is unable to work as the result of an on-the-job injury, the university will provide the employee's full salary at the regular rate. Absence during this time is not charged to previously earned benefits. Such paid absence hours are limited to 40 in a payroll calendar year unless an absence due to an injury exceeds 21 days. In such cases, the eligibility for the supplemental benefit will be restored. Department heads may require a physician's statement before approving payment for absences during this period of time. All lost time must be reported to Worker's Compensation.

2. If eligibility requirements are met, Worker's Compensation begins on the eighth day of disability to pay a portion of the employee's salary. The exact portion paid by Worker's Compensation is determined by state legislation and changes from time to time. Questions concerning the amount of payment and claims procedures should be addressed to Worker's Compensation.

3. Employees may choose to receive a portion of their regular salary as paid by Worker's Compensation, or they may choose to receive their full salary through the use of earned benefits along with Worker's Compensation. Up to a maximum of four hours per day may be charged to accrued benefits such as vacation, income protection, holidays, and compensatory time, in order to receive full pay. Charges to vacation earnings do not count against the allowable vacation time which can be used in any calendar year.

4. As long as employees are using paid-time-off benefit earnings in conjunction with Worker's Compensation pay, they will continue to accrue earnings for the time covered by Worker's Compensation and the time covered by employees' paid-time-off benefits.

5. When all benefit accruals have been used, or if employees choose not to use them, employees can continue for 29 calendar days receiving only the payment from Worker's Compensation. The employee will be recorded as absent without pay and without benefit accrual. Starting with the 30th calendar day, unless the employee has returned to work, the employee will be placed on a Leave of Absence while still receiving Worker's Compensation benefits and will continue to receive university service credit.

C. Eyewear and Chiropractic Services

1. Worker's Compensation will pay the cost of replacing or repairing eyeglasses or contact lenses damaged or broken as a result of an on-the-job injury or accident. If replacement is required, eyeglasses or lenses of an equivalent cost will be provided. Safety glasses provided by the University shall be replaced through the University Optometry Clinic.

2. If the attending physician in an on-the-job injury case recommends chiropractic services, the University will pay for the recommended services. There are specific circumstances in which this policy applies and the employee should contact Worker's Compensation for the guidelines prior to seeking chiropractic care.