Workers' Compensation
Responsibilities of Supervisors
The University is required to meet tight deadlines in reporting injuries to avoid fines and
facilitate compensation, if appropriate, for eligible employees. Supervisors are responsible for
the following:
- Informing employees that they must report all work-related injuries and illnesses that arise out of and in the course of their employment of the University
- Reporting work-related injury or illnesses to the Office of Risk Management by the end of the next workday following the date of the injury
- Completing the necessary and applicable forms from the Office of Risk Management Accident Reporting Kit
- Informing employees of his or her obligation to file separate accident reports with the District of Columbia Government Office of Workers Compensation in the case of work-related injury or illness
- Print out, complete and send the appropriate forms to the Office of Risk Management
Supervisors should refer to the
Workers Compensation section of the Office of Risk Management website
for additional information.
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Accident Reporting
Supervisors should use the checklist below to ensure prompt medical treatment for employees,
if needed, and timely reporting of all work-related accidents and injuries.
- Maintain a supply of Accident Reporting Kits, which are available of the Office of Risk Management web site.
- Ensure prompt medical treatment when an employee sustains a work-related injury or illness:
- Direct the employee to the GWU Medical Center's Emergency Room, if needed. Follow-up visits should be directed be as directed by the attending physician.
- Inform the employee that he or she must complete the "GWU Authorization for Medical Treatment form" (Form OR-3). This form can also be found in the Accident Reporting Kit.
- Report a work-related injury or illness suffered by an employee by the end of the next workday following the day of the injury. Forward the completed "GWU Accident Reporting Form" (Form ORM-2) to the Office of Risk Management (Support Building, Room 101).
- Call the Office of Risk Management immediately at (202) 994-3265 if an employee sustains a serious injury or illness that is expected to result in lost time from work.
- Report recurring injuries or illnesses stemming from the original accident to the Office of Risk Management as soon as possible
- Inform the employee of his or her obligation to file:
All workers' compensation claims are subject to investigation by the Office of Risk Management
and the insurance carrier. The validity of the claim will be determined after the submission of
the initial report to the Office of Risk Management. For further guidance regarding workers
compensation supervisors should refer to the
Workers Compensation section of the Office of Risk Management web site.
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Leave Policy under Workers' Compensation
The supervisor should maintain regular contact with an employee absent from work due to a
work-related injury or illness. Supervisors should document all contact with the employee.
- The employee must furnish the supervisor with written certification from a physician stating that the disability prevents him or her from working for a specific period of time, or that certain restrictions in the performance of duties are required.
- The supervisor must make two copies of all physicians' certificates. Forward the original to: Division of Human Resources, Benefits Division, and one copy to the Office of Risk Management. Keep a file copy.
- After a work-related injury or illness occurs, there is a three-day waiting period before an employee becomes eligible for Workers Compensation. During this period, an employee must use accrued sick leave, annual leave, or leave without pay if sufficient leave is not available.
- If the injury or illness exceeds 14 days, coverage becomes retroactive to the first day. Any sick or annual leave used will be reinstated. Compensation paid by the University will be applied toward any Workers' Compensation payments due. An employee may not receive compensation from both the employer and Workers' Compensation for the same period of time.
- The Division of Human Resources (DHR) will advise the department head to reinstate to the employee's leave balance any amount used that is subsequently reimbursed by our insurance carrier.
- After 30 consecutive days of absence from work, an employee will no longer accrue sick or annual leave. When an employee is on unpaid leave for 30 days or more, the employee is responsible for paying the entire premium for their Health Insurance and Group Life Insurance.
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Rate of Compensation
The amount of money received by the employee from the insurance carrier is computed as a percent
of the employee's average weekly wage up to a maximum amount that is defined by regulation.
Supervisors should check with the Office of Risk Management for the current benefit amount.
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