I.  Policy
All employees of The Catholic University of America have coverage for medical expenses and loss of income resulting from a work-related injury or illness, in accordance with the D.C. Workers’ Compensation law.

The university’s Workers’ Compensation insurance carrier determines what, if any, benefits the employee will receive.  The determination of benefits is subject to the requirements and limits of applicable D.C. law.

In the event of on-the-job injury or illness, an employee should obtain appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible after the injury or onset of illness.  If emergency medical treatment is needed, the employee or someone in the area should contact Public Safety at extension 5111 to request emergency assistance.

II.  Procedure

In the event of an accident on campus or a work-related illness, the employee involved must notify his/her supervisor immediately.  The employee or supervisor must complete a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form and submit it to the Office of Human Resources as soon as possible, but no later than 3 days after the injury or onset of occupational illness.  If the employee is absent and cannot sign the form, the supervisor should so indicate and submit the form to Human Resources.  The Office of Human Resources is responsible for submitting the completed forms to the insurance carrier.  It is important to submit the forms to Human Resources as soon as possible so that employees can begin to recieve benefits in a timely manner.    

The responsibility for verifying that an injury or illness is work-related, for determining the medical coverage to be provided and for determining the amount of pay to be paid by Workers’ Compensation insurance lies with the insurance carrier.  These decisions are reached by reviewing accident reports, including the employee’s statement of how the injury or illness occurred.

No employee can be terminated as a consequence of having filed a First Report of Injury. 

III.  Compensation and Sick Leave Provisions 

Workers’ Compensation income will not be paid for the first three days of lost time until the total time for a compensable injury or illness exceeds fourteen days.

An employee who is approved for Workers’ Compensation income will receive two-thirds of his/her regular salary up to a maximum of 200 percent of the national average weekly wage while absent from work.  Workers’ Compensation payments will be sent from the insurance carrier directly to the employee.  No regular payroll deductions (e.g., federal and State income tax, FICA, etc.) will be withheld.

Employees who are approved for Workers’ Compensation payments and who have sick leave accrued, may use sick leave to supplement their Workers’ Compensation payments as follows:

1. Pay for the first three days of lost time, provided that the total lost time does not exceed fourteen days (in which case the first three days will be paid as workers’ compensation by the insurance carrier).
   
   
2. Pay equal to the difference between the Workers’ Compensation benefit and the employee’s regular earnings (i.e., one third of the day can be charged to regular, accrued sick leave).  For employees who normally work a 7-hour day, 2-1/3 hours of accrued sick leave may be used for each day lost.  For employees who normally work an 8-hour day, 2-2/3 hours of accrued sick leave may be used for each day lost.
   
   
3. If an employee has no sick leave available, vacation may be used for the difference between the employee’s regular pay and the payment from Workers’ Compensation.
   
   
4. When all sick leave and vacation hours have been used, the university will not issue a paycheck.  The employee must contact the Office of Human Resources to arrange to make payments to continue insurance coverage.
   
   
5. Sick leave, vacation and retirement benefits will not accrue during any full month of absence.  Holiday pay is factored into the calculation for Workers’ Compensation benefits; therefore, an employee receiving Workers’ Compensation payments will not be eligible for additional holiday pay.
   
   
6. If an employee receives sick leave payment from the university and receives Workers’ Compensation payments for the same hours, the employee must sign the Workers’ Compensation check from the insurance carrier over to the university.  The university will then credit the employee’s sick leave balance with those hours.