WORKERS’ COMPENSATION A Benefit to the Injured Employee SAFETY POLICY Prevent injury => no workers’ comp case THEME: “Safety Through Teamwork” ECU.
Download ReportTranscript WORKERS’ COMPENSATION A Benefit to the Injured Employee SAFETY POLICY Prevent injury => no workers’ comp case THEME: “Safety Through Teamwork” ECU.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION A Benefit to the Injured Employee SAFETY POLICY Prevent injury => no workers’ comp case THEME: “Safety Through Teamwork” ECU Safety & Environmental Policy Statement (handout) Everyone is responsible for safety and environmental compliance => success Nothing is so important that it can not be done safely Incident Summary Average 300 reported incidents each year Strains and sprains continue to be most prevalent type of injury making up ~ 40% of all reported incidents Contusions/bruises comprise ~25% WC Department Summary 2002 DEPARTMENT SUMMARY Housekeeping 24% Housekeeping Grounds Steam Shop Other 53% Grounds 7% Steam Shop 4% Other Facilities 12% Other Facilities Other WC Medical Costs East Carolina University Workers' Compensation Medical Benefits $400,000.00 $350,000.00 $335,759.41 $315,684.30 $300,000.00 $271,491.66 $259,907.80 $257,459.31 $251,653.19 $250,000.00 $200,000.00 $199,269.51 $205,549.08 1993 1994 $210,423.75 $185,229.14 $150,000.00 $100,000.00 $50,000.00 $0.00 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 WC Total Costs East Carolina University Total Workers' Compensation Ex penditures $700,000.00 $663,952.19 $600,000.00 $513,462.79 $500,000.00 $400,000.00 $455,743.86 $432,333.24 $422,976.72 $375,844.10 $320,262.02 $315,633.50 $288,981.05 $300,000.00 $322,650.40 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $0.00 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997* 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 SAFETY TEAM EH&S /Prospective Health – program management, tools/resources Safety Committees – review & input Management – leadership, resources Supervisors – lead, praise, coach, enforce Employees – follow rules, identify & correct deficiencies WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION Administrator: EH&S (Donna Davis, WC Manager) – oversight & small case mgmt Third Party Administrator (TPA): Key Risk Mgmt Services – large cases, lg. case defined as one of the following: (1) med. cost over $2, 000, (2) employee missed more than one day of work, (3) repetitive motion Medical Provider: Prospective Health (BSOM) Resources EH&S office (328-6166) EH&S Web Site (www.ecu.edu/oehs) NCIC Ombudsman’s office (1-800-688-8349) PROGRAM BASICS State law - rules established by NCIC and OSP KEY is prevention Covers full-time, part-time & temporary employees Must be result of work-related injury or illness Medical treatment directed by EMPLOYER Injured employee has right to attorney Second opinion only required on rating MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS EH&S will pay all AUTHORIZED medical treatment and prescriptions Employee may refuse treatment & workers’ comp Employee must follow doctor’s orders, accept all medical treatment and attend all appointments Employee must communicate concerns with doctor during appointments Employee must provide supervisor and EH&S with copy of all doctor’s notes @ work status OTHER REQUIREMENTS Employee must communicate with supervisor and EH&S weekly Payroll: 1st day free; day 2-7 use leave; 21 days (treating physician takes employee out of work) Employee continues to receive vac/sick leave, hospitalization insurance and salary increases Medical appointments are considered work time – note time on leave record Employee will not receive retirement credits while on WC leave Employees should not compare cases with others HIPAA=> (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) Federal law - privacy of medical records Effective April 14, 2003 Workers’ comp records are exempt Medical information always kept confidential – now, even more careful Civil and criminal penalties Up to $250,000/yr and 10 yrs in prison WC PROCEDURE Employee must immediately notify supervisor & EH&S when injured as well as “near misses” Life Threatening injury – seek medical attention Treatment MUST be authorized by EH&S Complete forms (see handout) EMPLOYEE completes Employee Statement of Incident and Medical Release form SUPERVISOR completes NCIC Form 19 and Accident Investigation form – review others ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION Identify root cause – correct & prevent Fact finding, NOT fault finding Report only facts Quick response – care for victims, then interview victim(s) & witnesses Factors – equipment, personnel, management, environment (e.g. weather), Complete forms, review & submit to EH&S RETURN TO WORK Employee returns to work w/restrictions Provides benefits to employees and ECU Backed by Management – EH&S manages Requires cooperation and communication Transitional Duty - “it could happen to you” Research proves it can be great benefit 70% NEVER return after 30 days out RTW – Employee Benefits Wage continuation vs. 2/3 salary Part of rehabilitation program - Endurance vs. Inactivity Less disruption, stress Positive influence on peers Preserves leave time & service credits Maintain social contacts & self-esteem RTW - Management Benefits Minimizes productivity losses & case management Decreases recovery period & WC costs Preserves skilled/stable worker Promotes communication over litigation Improves employee morale SUMMARY PREVENTION is the key “Safety Through Teamwork” Notify supervisor and EH&S Complete forms and conduct accident investigation Correct & prevent recurrence – “close the loop” Communication, communication, communication QUESTIONS ?????????????????