Workers' Compensation is intended to protect employees against loss of income or losses of employment when they are necessarily absent from work because of an on-the-job injury or illness. It is essential that you report any job-related accident immediately to your supervisor. Failure to do so could mean loss of benefits. An accident reporting form should be completed immediately after any occupational accident or illness.

 

We strive to treat all injured employees with dignity and respect. We work with employees, supervisors, claim specialists and rehabilitation specialists to insure employees' quick recovery and return to work. We strive to reduce costs through accident prevention, training, job modifications and early return to work for employees. We follow the laws of the State of Florida and  to ensure that all parties are treated fairly.

 

Below are the steps needed to be taken by supervisors and employees to ensure that on-the-job injuries are reported promptly, that injured employees receive medical attention as soon as possible and that the paperwork flow for claims filing is handled appropriately.

 

REPORTING ON-THE-JOB INJURY PROCEDURES

 

All injuries must be reported to the employee's supervisor, Human Resources and Campus Security even if the employee does not desire treatment.  All work-related injuries will be reported to the College's workers' compensation insurance carrier and a claims representative will coordinate medical and wage benefits.

In the event any injury involving an employee occurs after business hours, call Campus Security at x2999.  Employees should be aware that medical treatment costs cannot be paid by the College without the authorization of the Human Resources Department.  If a service is not authorized it may not be covered under the worker’s compensation policy.  Failure to comply with the reporting requirements outlined below may jeopardize the employee's eligibility under the College's liability insurance programs.

Non-Life Threatening Injuries

Except for medical emergencies, employees must receive initial treatment for their work-related injury from a physicians(s), clinic(s) or facility authorized by the College’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.  The College’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier has contracted with a preferred provider and pharmacy networks to provide superior and prompt service to injured employees.

1. When an injury occurs, the employee must notify their supervisor, Human Resources and Campus Security immediately. All injuries must be reported even if the employee does not desire treatment.
2. Human Resources will immediately report the claim to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier to start medical/claim management and direct the employee to an approved physician(s), clinic(s) or medical facility.
3. Employees should return to work as soon as possible after treatment. They must promptly present Human Resources with a work status form from the provider stating whether they can return to full duty or modified duty. The College will review the work status form to determine whether or not the modified duty with work restrictions can be accommodated.
4. If an employee requires time away from work, Human Resources will inform the injured employee’s supervisor on the length of time of expected absence.

The three (3) initial treatment centers most commonly used are:

1. Winter Park Urgent Care Center
2. Centra Care
3. Jewett Orthopaedic Convenient Care Center Walk-In Clinic

If emergency care is required, the injured employee can seek treatment at the nearest emergency facility.

Life-Threatening and/or Emergency Injuries   

Life-threatening and emergency procedures are similar except that you need to immediately call 911 and contact Campus Security x2999 and facilitate transportation of the injured employee to the nearest emergency facility. Human Resources will conduct an investigation to gather information on the injury and report it to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. 

 

EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Except for medical emergencies employees must receive initial treatment for their work-related injury from a physicians(s), clinic(s) or facility authorized by the College’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.  The College’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier has contracted with a preferred provider and pharmacy networks to provide superior and prompt service to injured employees.
2. If an employee is referred to a specialist for treatment, the employee will be required to seek authorization from the worker’s compensation insurance carrier.  The worker’s compensation insurance carrier will authorize all hospital admissions, surgeries, physician visits, and other necessary medical care in accordance with the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act.  If a service is not authorized it may not be covered under the employers’ workers’ compensation policy.
3. Employees are required to return the Physician/Nurse’s status form and report their follow-up treatment plan to the Human Resource Department promptly.
4. Employees are required to keep all follow-up appointments.
5. Prescriptions may be filled at any local pharmacy. Employees will receive a Pharmacy Prescription Fill Form from Human Resources.
6. Employees are required to advise their Supervisor and the Human Resources Department of any injury-related time taken.
7. The Campus Security Department completes an incident report and investigates the injury and takes appropriate action.
8. The Director of Environmental Health & Safety receives a copy of the Notice of Injury Form and investigates the injury and takes appropriate action.
9. The College provides light duty work; normal duties may be modified to accommodate an employee's condition and that any such modifications will be consistent with any applicable legal medical requirements.
10. Time lost due to a work-related injury will be covered at 66 2/3% as follows: first seven (7) calendar days are not reimbursed until after the person has been out 21 calendar days.  The eighth (8) calendar day and beyond will be paid after the fact on a bi-weekly basis.  Employees may use PTO or may choose unpaid leave under FMLA during the first week (5 working days) of absence from work due to a work-related injury, but thereafter will be limited to payments under worker's compensation.
11. As per 440.13(2)(f) an employee is entitled to a one time change in physician during the course of treatment for one date of accident.
12. After an employee has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), they will be required to pay $10 co-payment for any additional treatment(s) related to the work-related injury.

 

For questions or concerns regarding work-related injuries or illnesses, please contact Human Resources at hr@rollins.edu or 407-646-2369.