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I.
Workers’ Compensation
A. Who is Eligible?
Generally,
persons are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they are employed by
the state and receive a state payroll check.
Persons not eligible for workers' compensation benefits include anyone
who is compensated through a contract with the state.
B. What is a Compensable Injury?
To receive
workers' compensation benefits, one must be injured while performing some
activity which falls within their scope of employment. In other words, an accident which causes an
injury must be related to work. These
are referred to as compensable injuries.
Not all accidents which happen at work would be compensable under the
workers' compensation law.
No clear-cut
definition is available to describe when an injury is or is not
compensable. Job duties should be
performed in a careful manner. Any
conditions in the workplace which are hazardous should be reported to the
appropriate officials. It is every
employee's responsibility to help prevent accidents and to assist in providing
a safe workplace.
C. Reporting the Accident
If an
on-the-job accident occurs, notify the supervisor of exactly what happened, how
it happened, who saw what happened and whether the injury is a result of the
accident. If a work-related accident is
witnessed where a fellow employee is injured severely enough that the involved
employee cannot notify his supervisor, attempt to notify the supervisor for
him/her. In addition, notify the Safety
& Security office and the Human Resources and Affirmative Action office.
D. Seeking Medical Treatment
If an
on-the-job accident requires medical treatment, choose a provider who is
authorized in the state's workers' compensation network. This list is available in the Human Resources
and Affirmative Action office as well as accessible via the Internet at http:\\www.treasury.state.tn.us/wc. This will be the only physician authorized to
treat the compensable injury. This means
that the state will only accept and pay medical expenses submitted by this
physician, unless this treating physician notifies the workers’
compensation administrator that a referral to another network physician for treatment
has been made. The state will not pay
any medical expenses incurred from a physician other than the treating
physician or a network physician referral by the treating physician.
When seeking
medical treatment, the employee should notify the doctor's office that the
injury occurred while at work and that a claim for workers' compensation
benefits with the state will be filed.
E. Filing an Accident Report
As soon as
possible after an accident occurs, complete an Accident Report form. This form may be obtained from the Human
Resources and Affirmative Action office.
The Accident Report form must be completed as soon as possible. Sign the form at the bottom, and give the form
to the supervisor to complete and sign.
The supervisor will send the completed Accident Form to the Human
Resources and Affirmative Action office, which will forward it to the
workers’ compensation administrator.
Information contained on this form enables the claims adjuster to determine
whether the injury is compensable under the workers' compensation law. If all of the information requested is not
provided or the report is not signed, no decision can be made. This will result in a delay in payment of the
medical bills. Generally, notification
as to whether the injury is compensable will be received within 90 days of the
date your completed Accident Report is received by the workers’
compensation administrator.
II. Personal and/or Property
Damage
- In the event that an individual incurs an accident (other than an
employee accident) or damage while on College property, the individual
must notify the Safety & Security office.
- If the individual wishes to file a claim with the Division of
Claims, the individual can request a Claims for
Damages form from the Human Resources and Affirmative Action office.
- The individual must complete the form providing as much
information as possible to describe the incident and witnesses to the
incident.
- The individual must attach statements for the cost of the damage.
- The individual must mail the form to the Division of Claims
Administration.
- The Division of Claims Administration will analyze the
documentation and make a decision within 90 days as to whether or not they
will reimburse the individual for the requested cost of the damage.
- The individual will be notified in writing within two weeks after
a decision has been made.
Approved: Executive Council, March 4, 1991
Editorial
Changes, May 24, 1993
Approved:
President Allen G. Edwards, February 25, 2002
Reviewed/Recommended: President’s Staff,
January 8, 2007
Approved: President Allen G. Edwards, January 8, 2007