Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a benefits program created by State Law that provides medical, rehabilitation, income, death and other benefits to employees and dependents due to injury, illness and death resulting from a compensable work-related claim covered by the law.

Workers’ compensation coverage begins the first day of employment and covers all employees (persons who maybe part-time, temporary, full time, limited term and etc.) who are doing work for Georgia Southern University and getting paid by Georgia Southern University, via the payroll system for that work.

Any injury, illness or death arising out of and in the course of employment is by definition a compensable work-related claim. This means if employees are injured while performing assigned job duties during assigned work hours, they are usually covered under the workers’ compensation program. Injuries sustained while engaging in unassigned duties, during lunch and breaks, are not usually covered. In addition, injuries that occur during an employee’s normal commute to and from work are usually not covered.

When an employee is injured while working for Georgia Southern University and wants medical treatment under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program, a claim must be filed so that the injured employee’s medical bills can be paid.

The supervisor of the injured employee, or their designated representative, is responsible for reporting the employee’s injury correctly, to the Georgia Southern University, Department of Human Resources, so that a claim may be filed.

Georgia Southern University’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance program is managed by a third party administrator, Department of Administrative Services. Georgia Southern University Department of Human Resources (Benefits) coordinates the Workers’ Compensation claims process.

Workers’ Compensation Procedures

If you are injured on the job, follow the steps below:

1. Report your injury immediately to your supervisor.
2. Employee should complete the Employee Report of Injury Form and submit to their supervisor. The supervisor should forward the Employee Report of Injury Form to Human Resources within 24 hours of a work-related injury. If you do not wish to seek medical attention, Human Resources will keep report on file as an Incident Only report.
3. If your work-related injury requires medical attention, Human Resources will file your injury with Georgia’s Department of Administrative Services, the Workers’ Compensation carrier.
4. A representative from Human Resources will contact the employee with the phone number for Amerisys, the Managed Care Organization plan, along with a claim number for the injury. Employee will call Amerisys to talk to a case manager who will assist the employee in selecting a physician, scheduling an appointment and obtaining follow-up care.
5. Supervisor should complete Accident Investigation Form and submit to Human Resources within three days of a work related injury. Supervisor should also have any witnesses to the injury complete the Accident Witness Statement Form and return to Human Resources within three days of the injury.
6. After seeking medical attention, the employee should submit a physician’s note regarding the work status to Human Resources. The employee should forward via fax at (912) 478-0325. HR will contact the supervisor regarding any light duty restrictions.
7. If the employee misses time from work due the injury, they must complete a Leave Election Form stating how they choose to be paid while out of work. This form is available in the Human Resources office.

If an injury is a true emergency, we advise you to go to the nearest Emergency Room to see a physician right away. If the employee requires additional care, they must coordinate follow-up care through Amerisys.

Failure to follow the instructions given by the Georgia Department of Administrative Services may result in your medical treatment not being covered under Workers’ Compensation.

Worker’s Compensation FAQs

When am I eligible to begin receiving Workers’ Compensation payments?
You are eligible to begin receiving weekly income benefits if you have more than seven days of lost time due to a work related injury.

What happens to my benefits while I am out of work due to a Workers’ Compensation injury?
Your benefits will continue as long as you pay your monthly premiums (premium rates will remain the same). If you elect to use your sick or vacation pay, your benefit premiums will be taken from your check. Once your sick/and or vacation runs out, you will be responsible for paying your premiums and keeping them current to avoid cancellation of coverage.

Do I have to use my sick leave for doctor and therapy visits?
If you are out of work you don’t have to use your leave but you are advised to do so, so that you can be paid 100% of your salary while off of work. If you chose to receive workers comp premiums you will be paid 2/3rds of your salary. If you are back at work but require follow-up doctor visits you must use your sick time to cover those appointments if they take place during work hours. Workers comp will pay mileage for your doctor’s visits. Consult your claims adjuster regarding this reimbursement.

An employee has the following options on the use of Sick Leave or Annual Leave for absence due to a Workers Compensation claim:

• Use accrued sick or annual leave for the first seven (7) calendar days in order to be paid full salary, and then elect to receive Workers’ Compensation wages during the remaining period of injury-related absence, or
• Exhaust all accrued sick leave and annual leave (in that order) and then receive Workers’ Compensation, or
• Retain all accrued sick leave and annual leave, and after the seven (7) day waiting period (without pay), receive Workers’ Compensation during the remainder of the injury-related absence.

How do I obtain prescriptions?
If your injury or illness is work related, you can obtain your prescriptions by calling Matrix Health Services at 1-877-804-4900. DOAS employees can identify themselves at the pharmacy by stating that the Processor is Premier Pharmacy Plan-Group #2105.

Resources

• MCO Pink Panel
• Bill of Rights for the Injured Employee
• Workers’ Compensation Fraud Notice
• Prescription Card

Forms

• Injury/Accident Flow Chart
• Injury Checklist for Supervisors
• Employee’s Report of Injury
• Supervisor’s Accident Investigation
• Accident Witness Statement
• GA Activity Analysis

Last updated: 10/10/2023