CRONA
Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement
Area Representatives and Membership Meetings
September 2 and 4, 2008

Work-Related Injury: How it works

If you get a work related illness or experience a work-related injury the hospital is required to provide for worker’s compensation benefits.

Workers compensation involves a trade-off between employers and employees.

Employees are entitled to receive relatively swift medical treatment for on-the-job injuries no matter who was at fault and in return are prevented from suing their employers over those injuries.

If You Experience a Work-Related Injury/Illness:

Notify the Resource Nurse immediately if you are injured at work.

Submit the Employee Injury Report Form to your supervisor as soon as possible and fax this form to Occupational Health Services .The Employee Injury Report Form can be downloaded from the hospital Intranet. Keep a copy for yourself.

If you are injured during regular business hours, go to the Occupational Health satellite office located in the basement at SHC (H0117). The satellite office hours are 06:45- 16:45 M-F. The phone number is 498-7381.

If you are injured during non-business hours, go to the Emergency Room. Do not wait to go to the satellite office or Emergency Room after your shift.

If you are injured and/or seen in the Emergency Room, go to Occupational Health Services the following business day at 1101 Welch Road, C3. They are open 0730-1630 M-F, phone: 723-5922

Call your unit to update the RSN about your ability or inability to work. Follow up with an email to your manager.

To Receive Payment for Time off Recovering from the Injury/Illness

You will receive your regular wages and shift differential on the date of the injury during the OH evaluation, for the remainder of the shift if unable to work, and for return visits on work time to OH or ER.

PTO can be used while you are waiting for Worker’s Compensation benefits and to supplement disability payments.

Transitional Return-to-Work Program

TRTW is for employees unable to perform his/her normal job functions due to temporary illness or injury, but who can perform limited work within his/her medical restrictions. Assignments are not permanent and are matched according to limitations related to the injury. Assignments may not be within the employee’s existing department. The hours vary and does not guarantee your normal hours and/or work commitment.

You will be referred to the TRTW program after evaluation by Occupational Health Services. You can also ask to participate in this program.

You are paid your regular wages and all benefits apply during a TRTW assignment.

Leave of Absence

Trial period employees may also be eligible for work-related medical leaves. You may continue group health, dental, life, and disability insurance.

Return to Work from a Work-related Injury

You must be medically cleared by OH in order to return to work.

It is important to keep the MD informed of the normal job requirements for your unit.

You should be offered the same or similar position within your department.

Notify your supervisor at least one week before the LOA expires to facilitate the work schedule and determine if work restrictions (if any) can be accommodated.

You will not lose your staff nurse status or pay level while you are on LOA.

It is unlawful for the employer to discriminate or retaliate against you for filing a worker’s compensation claim.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Not documenting the injury by filing an Injury Report in a timely fashion.

Self procured medical treatment will not be covered by Workers’ Compensation.

Failure to keep physician and treatment appointments scheduled by OH could jeopardize your benefits.

Make sure you complete the Employees Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits form.

For more information you can download the work related illness policies from the hospital or contact HR benefits at (650) 723 5922 option 2.

On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, an attorney who specializes in workers compensation will speak at the annual CRONA convention. This one-hour presentation will be held at 8:30am in the LPCH auditorium. Mr. McKenna will share information that will help us navigate through the maze and frustrations of work-related injury.

Sunny Balson, Secretary
On behalf of the CRONA Executive Board