WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: Protecting our Workforce While Promoting Safety Texas A&M University, Human Resources DIVISION OF FINANCE February 29, 2012

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 2  Brief history of Workers’ Compensation  Cost of injuries to the University  How a claim is processed  Forms and more forms  Proper accident follow-up  Return to Work Program Today’s Topics

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 3 “Workers’ Compensation is a form of insurance specifically designed to provide medical payments and/or financial payments to employees on the payroll of the TAMU System who suffer work-related injuries, illnesses or death in the course and scope of their employment.” Workers’ Compensation Defined

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 4  Germany: Developed world’s first true Workers’ Compensation Insurance system in  Prior to 1917: Most injured employees in the Unites States could pursue claims only through civil or tort law - Employee must prove employer malice or negligence resulted in injury - Employee burden difficult to prove in most cases, resulting in high number of judgments for employers  1917 and later: States developed WCI System of compensation as a result of Supreme Court ruling  Today: WCI is administered on a state-by-state basis WCI Historical Overview

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 5  Operates as a bona fide insurance agency o Adjusters – evaluate and determine whether or not an injury is compensable o Legal assistance – participates in appeal hearings, legal procedures, fraudulent investigations, and other proceedings where necessary  Injuries are referred to as “claims”  A documented accident at work does not necessarily mean the injury will be compensable Office of Risk Management and Safety

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 6 Department Workers’ Compensation TAMU

Supervisor ASupervisor BSupervisor CSupervisor D Communication is Important!

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 8 Texas Forest Service (TFS) $ * Commerce Corpus Christi Texas A&M University (TAMU) * Kingsville Prairie View TEES.15.05* Texarkana Texas Transportation Inst ComponentFY 2008 *Example: $30K yearly TAMU employee = WCI premium of $3.75/month FY 2010 TAMU System Components WCI Cost Per $100 of Payroll* $30K yearly TFS employee = WCI premium of $18.75/month $30K yearly TEES employee = WCI premium of $1.25/month

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 9 Claims and Lost Texas A&M University

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 10  Provides services that promote a healthy and safe environment  Establishes safety procedures that apply to University and TAMUS employees Environmental Health & Safety Mission

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 11 Body Part Injuries: 1.Finger11% 2.Arm10% 3.Hand10% 4.Back9% 5.Knee7% Texas A&M University “Top 5” Nature of injury: 1.Bruise/contusion 26% 2.Cut15% 3.Strain14% 4.Exposure 11% 5.Sprain6%

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 12 Safety is a job evaluation factor in performance evaluations – Uses best practices to assist in ensuring the safety and security of self and others. Competes safety training as necessary and follows applicable safety standards in the performance of his/her job duties.  Exemplary  Exceeds Expectations  Achieves  In Development or Needs Improvement  Unsatisfactory Safe Practices Are a Job Requirement!

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 13  Reduce medical costs and lost time accidents by implementing thorough training and safety programs  Following the Return to Work (RTW) Program to assist in returning the employee to his or her original position at full duty as soon an as safely as possible WCI Best Practices

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 14 Workplace “Accident”: DINING Safety Must Be a Priority!

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 15  Reasonable medical costs paid if you are injured on the job  Income benefits replace part of your lost wages  Income benefits paid for permanent impairment from an on-the-job injury  Death benefits provided to your legal beneficiaries What are the benefits of WCI?

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 16  First Report of Injury  Witness Statement  Request for Paid Leave  Supplemental  Wage Statement Workers’ Compensation Forms

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 17  First Report of Injury Within 24 hours of accident  Witness Statements None; as soon as possible  Request for Paid Leave Form As soon as the injured employee begins to lose work time (“lost time” is defined as any period of lost time, minus the initial day of injury and the next scheduled shift).  Supplemental – Subsequent lost time (intermittent): within 24 hours of lost time – Resigns/terminates, salary change: within 24 hours of event  Wage Statement Immediately after 7 th cumulative WCI missed day WCI Forms:Deadlines for Reporting

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page Administrative (paperwork)  First report of injury  Witness statement(s) (if applicable)  Request for Paid Leave (if applicable)  Supplemental (if applicable)  Wage statement (if applicable) 2. Incident Analysis (investigation) If Necessary  Gather facts  Analyze facts  Corrective action  Follow-up WCI Accident Follow-up

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 19 Incident Analysis: Gather Facts Example 1

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 20 Incident Analysis: Gather Facts Example 2

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 21 Incident Analysis: Gather Facts Example 3

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 22 Incident Analysis: Gather Facts Example 4

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 23  Objective: to return employees to safe and productive employment as soon as is medically possible  Department must make good-faith effort to identify meaningful work when employees have restrictions – Employer does not have to “create” work – Work identified should be consistent with the employee’s knowledge, skill level, and within Dr.’s restrictions – Designed to be temporary assignment and last no longer than 45 calendar days Early Return to Work Program

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 24  Initiated when employee has work restrictions which are recommended by his/her physician  Is designed as a temporary measure to facilitate a return to work and will not exceed 45 calendar days in duration per injury/illness  Program includes physician’s restrictions for both work and non-work related injuries/illnesses Early Return to Work Program

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 25  Safe work practices are everyone’s responsibility.  Accidents are costly.  WCI forms administration must be timely.  Accidents must be analyzed where necessary for prevention.  Forms URL Your takeaways…

Human Resources Workers’ Compensation 2/29/2012 Page 26  Workers’ Compensation Jim R. Kuhlmann Leave Specialist Phone: (979)  Environmental Health and Safety Phone: (979) Web: Contact Information