1	University of Houston-Victoria Safety and Risk Management Workers’ Compensation Program Campus Claim Coordinator – Denise Prescott Human Resources Office 3007 N. Ben Wilson Victoria Texas 77901 361-570-4803 Special Thanks to Billy Underwood, UH Claims Coordinator, for his assistance and for permission for use of UH Presentation.
2	What Is Workers’ Compensation? Workers’ compensation is state-regulated insurance program that pays medical bills and replaces some lost wages for employees who are injured at work or who have work-related diseases or illness. Worker’s compensation will pay for the medical treatment of any injury or illness if The injury occurred at work or the disease or illness is job-related and The worker’s employer has workers’ compensation insurance or is certified by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission to self-insure. Worker’s compensation will also replace some of the worker’s lost wages if The injury or illness caused the worker to lose some or all income for more than seven days.
3	University of Houston-Victoria Safety and Risk Management Workers’ Compensation Program Overview Reporting Requirements Reportable Incidents Accident Report Forms Waiting Period Types of leave Insurance Carrier Information
4	Reporting Requirements Accidents that must be reported to SRMD within 24 hours: Accidents where employees are injured on the job. Accidents that result injury, requiring medical attention. Accidents that result in Lost Time. Accidents that occur to employees while off premises on university business.
5	Reportable Incidents Incidents that must be reported: Personal injury requiring medical attention. Injury resulting in lost time. Injury that occurs on or off university premises. Certain occupational illnesses, dermatitis requiring medical treatment, carpel tunnel syndrome, allergic reactions to irritants and/or chemicals.
6	Accident Report Forms The employee reports the injury to the supervisor. The business manager or supervisor must complete the accident package. The employee assist in completing the forms, if able. If the injury results, or may result in lost time, the leave utilization form must be completed. Must be reported by UHV Claims Coordinator within 24 hours to: Workers Compensation Mail Code: SRMD 1005 Fax: 713-743-8035
7	Waiting Period For Workers Compensation Benefits The first seven days are not paid by Workers’ Compensation Workers Compensation income benefits start on the 8^th calendar day off work. To be paid for the first seven days, you must use your sick time, however you must exhaust your sick leave before receiving income benefits from Workers’ Compensation. You may also use your vacation leave in lieu of Workers’ Compensation income benefits.
8	Types of Leave Employee time can be recorded in the following ways: 1. Sick Time 2. Vacation 3. Leave without pay 4. FMLA, Offered through Human Resources When sick or vacation times are exhausted, you must change the P.A.R to reflect leave without pay. Health insurance benefits will stop the beginning of the following month unless FMLA is instituted.
9	Insurance Carrier and Billing Information Workers’ Compensation claim determination is made by the insurance carrier in Austin. Initial approval for medical treatment is made by the Claim Coordinator at the university. Follow-up treatments must be approved by the carrier in advance. Our Insurance Carrier: State Office of Risk Management P.O. Box 13777 Austin, TX. 78711-3777 512-475-1440
10	Forms Information TWCC E-1 Employee’s Report of Injury (SORM-29) Witness Statement (SORM-74) Explanation of Choices Leave Utilization Form (SORM-80) Release of Information (SORM-16) Instruction Sheet Forms completed by supervisor. Mail or fax forms to Claims Coordinator. Claims Coordinator will send claim to SORM in Austin. Claims Coordinator acts as liaison between SORM and injured employee.
11	Useful Web Sites Texas Workers Compensation Commission homepage: Texas Workers' Compensation Commission Electronic reporting of injuries online: First Report of Injury How to contact TWCC: Contact Us
12	Summary If you have questions concerning State of Texas Workers’ Compensation benefits, claim procedures or reporting requirements, contact Denise Prescott, UHV Claims Coordinator.