Medical College of Georgia Administrative Policies and Procedures
Office of Primary Responsibility: Human Resources
No. 1.4.17

Workers' Compensation / On-The-Job Injuries

1.0  Purpose
To provide information concerning employee benefits and instructions for treatment of work related illnesses, injuries, accidents and exposures, and completion of the required forms. 

2.0  Policy
It is the policy of the Medical College of Georgia to provide benefits for employees in the event of work related injuries, exposures, illnesses, or accidents.  When an injury, accident or illness is sustained as a result of, out of or in the course of employment, an employee is eligible to receive benefits as outlined in the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Law.

3.0  Procedure

3.1 Employee Responsibility
All MCG and MCG leased employees must report promptly to their immediate supervisor any work related injury.  The supervisor is responsible for initiating an MCG’s Employee’s Report of Accident/Injury for each reported employee accident, injury, exposure or illness.  This report (Form MC419) should be forwarded to the Benefits Section of the Human Resources Division.  In addition, if an employee requires treatment for a work related accident, injury, exposure or illness, they must seek treatment by contacting the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) at 1-877-656-7475 for assistance in selecting an Authorized Treating Physician.  The provider of service should send any bills for treatment directly to DOAS in Atlanta.  If an employee does not require or desire medical treatment of any kind, reporting the injury is still required.  The employee or employee’s supervisor must still report the injury to DOAS at 1-877-656-7475.

3.1.1 In cases of serious injury when an immediate corrective action is deemed necessary, the Public Safety Division should be notified at extension 721-2911.

3.1.2 If the illness, accident, exposure or injury is serious and has long-term effects for an employee such as lost time, the supervisor should refer to section 3.2.3 of this policy and follow the reporting instructions outlined in that procedure.  The Human Resources Benefits Section shall forward a copy of any report to the Environmental Health & Safety Division.

3.1.3 Non-employees should refer to MCG Administrative Policy and Procedures 3.0.03.

3.2 Supervisor Responsibility

3.2.1 If immediate medical attention is needed for the injured employee, the supervisor will assist in obtaining the necessary treatment.

3.2.2 If emergency medical treatment is necessary, the injured employee must be directed or taken to the nearest hospital Emergency Room.

Note: The time an employee spends receiving initial treatment in the Emergency Room, physicians office, or clinic for a work related injury should be marked on the time sheet as "hours worked".  Sick Leave should be used for time absent for subsequent treatment, clinic appointments, etc.

3.2.3 Lost Time - If the doctor recommends that the employee not return to work immediately following a required treatment, the supervisor must notify the Human Resources Benefits Section by telephone (Ext. 1-3836 on campus or 706-721-3836 off campus within 24 hours of injury, including the expected return date, if known. The Human Resources Benefits Section must also be advised of the option selected by the employee whether the employee chooses to use of sick leave, annual leave or leave without pay while out due to the covered injury. This information is located on the reverse side of the MCG Employee’s Report of Accident/ Injury.

3.2.4 Return to Work - If the employee loses time as outlined above, the supervisor must notify the Human Resources Benefits Section by telephone (Ext. 1-3836 on campus or 706-721-3836 off campus) before the close of business on the date the employee returns to work.

3.3 Serious or Vehicle Accident Reporting
As soon as possible after notification of a work related automobile accident or serious bodily injury, the supervisor should notify MCG Public Safety (Ext. 1-2911) An examination of the facts surrounding the accident will be made in an effort to prevent recurrence of the incident.

4.0  General Information On Worker's Compensation Benefits

4.1 Medical Expenses
Charges for first aid treatment, hospital bills, prescription drugs, doctor's charges, etc., are covered provided the proper procedures are followed as outlined above for reporting the accident and treatment of the employee.

4.2 Payment for Lost Time
The Workers' Compensation Law provides benefits of 66 2/3% of an employee's average weekly earnings up to a maximum of $425.00 per week. No compensation is allowed for the first seven calendar (7) days of incapacity (including the day of the injury) unless the employee is incapacitated for 21 consecutive work days following the injury, in which event compensation is allowed for the first seven days of incapacity, if an employee has not used accrued leave.

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

4.3.1 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 during the remaining period of injury-related absence, or

4.3.2 Exhaust all accrued sick leave and annual leave (in that order) and then receive Workers' Compensation, or

4.3.3 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.

Note: If an employee has no accrued sick or annual leave, any absence during the first seven (7) days must be Leave Without Pay (LWOP).

Date: 1 Jan 1976 | Rev. No: 04-1 | Rev. Date: 1 August 2004 | No. 1.4.17