Accident reporting procedure for work related injuries

POLICY: Specific procedures must be followed for reporting accidental work-related injuries.

APPLIES TO: All MSU Employees

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' Compensation as its name implies, provides compensation, both medical and monetary, for any employee who sustains an injury in the performance of duty. Under the law, an injured employee is entitled to immediate first aid and complete medical care at no cost. Further, the law warrants payment of monetary compensation (lost time wages) to the injured employee as long as medical evidence indicates that the employee is totally or partially disabled and has sustained a wage loss due to the injury. The mechanics of the payment system are of no concern at this time, but it is important to remember to follow the reporting procedure to insure an employee his/her right to benefits under the law. Health benefit plans, such as Blue Cross, carry an exclusion clause regarding Workers' Compensation injuries and will not accept a claim if aware that it is work-related. Consequently, the only recourse an employee has for medical or monetary compensation in a work-related incident is Worker's Compensation.

WHAT TO REPORT

Workers' Compensation procedures suggest that all injuries, even those of a seemingly minor nature like a scratched finger or a bumped knee, should be officially reported. Sometimes the so-called minor injury develops into a serious, complicated condition. Any work-related injury which requires a physician's attention and/or caused absence from work must be officially reported by submitting the Report of Claimed Occupational Injury or Illness (Word | PDF). For example:

Both of these conditions do often develop into an especially difficult problem and for this reason little is left to chance with these types of accidents.

REPORT IMMEDIATELY

In the event of an on-the-job accident, the injured party should obtain first aid as needed and notify the immediate supervisor of the incident as soon as practicable, the immediate supervisor should notify MSU Human Resources of the incident as soon as possible.

FORMS

Notice of an accident must be sent to MSU Human Resources. The forms should be returned to MSU Human Resources Leave Center within 24 hours of the accident. The immediate supervisor should insure that all materials, both from the injured employee and the immediate supervisor, are properly completed and promptly returned to MSU Human Resources.

DOCTOR'S RELEASE

If an employee loses time from work (other than for immediate medical attention) as a result of an on-the-job accident, a written doctor's release is required before this person is allowed to return to work. The release should specifically indicate any work limitations imposed on the individual as a result of the injury, e.g. restrictions against lifting in a back injury case. If the employee's return is on a restricted basis, a written schedule of duties and hours, if appreciably altered, should be prepared by the immediate supervisor and signed by both the employee and the immediate supervisor. Upon receiving the written release along with the statement of restricted duties, if necessary, should then be forwarded to MSU Human Resources. If, upon returning to work, the injured employee requires further medical attention as a result of the original on-the-job accident, the employee should obtain authorization for this additional treatment from MSU Human Resources.

Any questions concerning Workers' Compensation coverage should be directed to:

MSU Human Resources 
1407 S. Harrison Rd, Suite 110
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48823 
517-353-4434