Workers’ compensation is an essential protection for employees around the country as it provides benefits to those injured while performing their job duties. For university employees, this coverage is vital as it ensures medical bills, lost wages, and other costs are managed without personal financial strain.
Whether you are a professor, administrative assistant, maintenance worker, or working in some other capacity for a university, knowing how workers’ compensation applies to your role can make a significant difference when an accident occurs. Learn everything you need to know about workers’ compensation to determine whether or not you may be eligible.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
For those unfamiliar with the term, workers’ compensation is a type of insurance program that provides benefits to employees who are injured or who become ill while on the job. The system is designed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and even disability benefits for injuries you may have gotten in the normal course of your work.
It also importantly prevents employees from suing their employer for negligence in most situations. That’s why if you suspect you can support the four prerequisites to proving negligence, then it may be worth reaching out to a lawyer before accepting workers’ compensation. Most employers around the country are required to provide some level of workers’ compensation if they have employees working under them, but the benefits can range from medical care to partial wage replacement to permanent disability compensation and much more.
Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation at Universities
Eligibility for workers’ compensation at a university will depend on your employment status and the nature of the injury you suffered on the job. Full-time, part-time, and even certain temporary employees are usually covered if the injury occurs in such a way that it is directly related to a work task. Common injury scenarios seen in workers’ compensation cases include slips an falls, strain injuries from office work, or accidents involving campus equipment.
As an example, a professor who is teaching, only for their smart board to break off the wall and fall on them, would likely be eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if that professor was volunteering at a non-university event and was injured then they would not be covered under workers’ compensation as it needs to occur during the course of their day-to-day work.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you are injured while working at your university, it’s crucial to take the right steps to ensure your claim is processed without issues. Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow for filing your claim so that you can have your resolution as quickly as possible:
- Report the Injury Immediately: Notify your supervisor or department head as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Some states have rules that you must report the injury within 90 days, but it’s advisable to do so immediately to avoid complications.
- Seek Medical Attention: Once the injury is reported, your employer may direct you to a specific doctor or medical facility for treatment that is approved by your university. Following your employer’s guidance is crucial, as seeing an unauthorized doctor could result in your claim being denied.
- File the Workers’ Compensation Claim: After reporting the injury and seeking medical attention, your employer will submit a First Report of Injury or Illness to their university workers’ compensation committee. Be sure to keep copies of all medical records and injury reports for your reference.
- Follow Up with Your Employer and Insurance: The workers’ compensation insurance provider will evaluate the claim, and you may be asked to provide additional documentation or attend follow-up appointments. It’s crucial that you comply with all requests to ensure your benefits are processed smoothly.
Challenges and Common Issues with Workers’ Compensation
Even though workers’ compensation is designed to protect employees at its core, issues can still arise that complicate the claims process. The lifestyle of the modern employee, as an example, has some people arguing that future conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, PTS, and general mental health concerns should fall under the scope of workers’ compensation easier. Beyond this, some of the most common challenges with workers’ compensation include:
- Your claim may be denied or delayed due to a lack of evidence, late reporting, or disputes about whether the injury was actually work-related or not
- You may by hit with disputes over the severity of the injury you suffered that lead to reduced benefits which may not actually cover the breadth of your injury, so be sure to provide medical documentation
- You may need to hire a personal injury or workers’ compensation attorney who can help you make an appeal if your claim was denied or if there were major disputes over the benefits you are being offered
In addition to understanding the challenges and issues you may face with workers’ compensation, don’t forget to take the time to recover properly. While workers’ compensation will help to cover your medical expenses and partial wages, it’s important to follow through with any recommended treatment plans or physical therapy to ensure a full recovery.
Ignoring such plans may make you ineligible for future fund disbursements, and chronic issues can cause you much pain over time which can even lead to you not being able to perform your job effectively. Taking care of yourself is equally as important as knowing your legal rights.
Don’t settle for fewer benefits than you deserve
Workers’ compensation provides vital protection for university employees who suffer job-related injuries. At your university, understanding how the system works can help you to ensure that your rights are protected. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is an extensive process that involves notifying your employer promptly, seeking medical attention, retaining documents, and following up on the insurance process. If you encounter any issues or disputes in your workers’ compensation case, reach out to an accredited legal expert who can help you navigate the negotiations or appeal process. By keeping yourself informed and proactive, you can secure the financial support you need during your recovery.
