Worker's Compensation
Worker's Compensation Insurance will compensate employees unable to work or employees
put on restricted work duty as a direct result of illness or injury incurred while
performing job related duties and will cover medical expenses due to job-related illness
or injury. The insurance also provides a death benefit if an employee dies as a result
of performing job-related responsibilities.
Employees will not be covered by Worker's Compensation Insurance if the injury, illness
or accident is not reported properly within 30 days. In addition, employees will not
be covered if the injury, illness or death is the result of:
- Employee intoxication on the job.
- Employee engaged in horseplay when the injury is sustained.
- Employee sustained the injury while participating in an off-duty, voluntary activity,
even if the University sponsors the event.
Reporting a Workplace Injury or Illness
Employees injured on the job, or who become ill as a result of their job performance,
must report their condition to their supervisor as soon as possible. If medical care
is necessary, the employee may use any medical provider in the Zenith Health Care
Network. Network information can be found at
www.TheZenith.com or by calling (800) 841-3987.
Employees choosing to use a medical provider not in the Zenith Health Care Network
may be responsible for the full cost of the injury related medical expenses.
In life threatening situations, the employee or co-worker should call 2911 immediately
and be transported to the nearest hospital. When the situation is not life threatening,
supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the employee is transported to medical
care when appropriate. Van pick-up is also available when using Nova Medical Centers.
Within 24 hours of notice of injury or illness, supervisors are required to contact
the Office of Human Resources at 972-721-5382 to file an injury report. Human Resources will in turn file the report with the insurance company. The insurance
company will notify the Texas Workers Compensation Commission if the employee is off
work more than one day or if the employee requires medical treatment. TWCC compliance
guidelines will subsequently be followed as the University is notified, including
submission of wage statements if the employee is off work more than eight days.
Accidents will be investigated and recommendations will be made to the department
for prevention of future accidents or injury.
Additional guidelines related to worker's compensation and job-related injuries are:
While on workers compensation leave, injured or ill employees are required to keep
all medical appointments and therapy appointments ordered by their physician and to
provide supervisors all update reports by physicians regarding duration of leave or
return to work in a light duty or unrestricted capacity.
Employees who are off work due to on-the-job illness or injury (covered under workers
compensation program), who falsify the extent or severity of injuries will be subjected
to disciplinary action, to loss of benefits and to possible termination and prosecution.
Return to Work
The University believes that it is in the best interest of both the University and
the injured employee to return to work as early as possible. The University will provide
light-duty assignments for a temporary and reasonable period of time. In most circumstances,
employees released to return to work will return to their former position. In circumstances
where business necessity does not permit a vacancy for the period of time required
by an employee to recuperate from a job-related illness or injury, the position will
be filled. When the injured employee is released to return to work, he/she will be
welcome to apply for any position that is open and compatible with his/her skills
and qualifications.
Employees should report unsafe conditions in their departments to supervisors and/or
the Office of Campus Safety. They may also report unsafe conditions to the Texas Workers
Compensation Commission by calling 1-800-452-9595. To speak with a TWCC spokesperson,
employees may call 1-800-252-7031.
Records of Workers Compensation claims will be maintained for five years from the
date of original injury, illness or death.