Procedure No.:   40.032

Page No.:        1 and 2 of 2

Date Issued:     01/28/76

Issued By:       J. D. Matthews

POLICY:

Ohio University conforms to the Ohio Workmen's Compensation Law. All employees of the University are covered by this law. It provides a system of compensating employees who suffer injury or occupational disease resulting from specific accidental occurrence in the course of employment at Ohio University.

Payments for medical expenses and payments for temporary and permanent disabilities are disbursed directly to suppliers of medical services and University employees by the Ohio Bureau of Workmen's Compensation from funds supplied by premiums paid by the University. The claims are reviewed, and the premium rate may be revised annually.

PROCEDURE:

1. In the event an employee sustains an injury or disease which results from a specific accidental occurrence received in the course of his employment, it is the responsibility of supervision to have the University's accident report form completed and distributed as indicated on the face of the form.

2. Supervision should assist an injured employee in securing medical treatment. The injured employee is free to choose the physician and/or hospital. However, once the employee selects a physician, he is not to change to another without approval of the Ohio Bureau of Workmen's Compensation, except in emergencies. Only in the case of an absolute emergency should the University Health Center facilities be used.

3. Application to the Bureau of Workmen's Compensation for allowance of the payment for medical expenses and disability payments may be made at the University Personnel Department, Department of Environmental Health and Safety. It is the obligation of the employee to initiate a Workmen's Compensation Claim for compensable injuries and occupational disease. The Personnel Department, Department of Environmental Health and Safety will assist the employee with completion of the form and processing the claim. In cases where the employee loses time from work he may use earned sick leave or he may choose disability payments from Workmen's Compensation. The employee also has the option of filing his application directly with any district office of the Bureau of Workmen's Compensation.

4. Injury claims must be filed within two years of their occurrence. Occupational disease claims must be filed within two years after the disability begins. (If there is a recurrence of disability related to an injury which was previously ruled compensable, after a period of six months or more during which no medical expenses have been incurred, an application to reactivate must be filed.)

5. The Bureau of Workmen's Compensation determines whether or not claims are compensable, subject to right of appeal by the employee or the University.
   

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6. Investigation of accidental injuries and occupational diseases is conducted by the Department of Environmental Services Health and Safety which attempts to take follow-up action to prevent recurrences. (Refer to Procedure #44.111.)

7. Expenses incurred from occupational injuries or occupational diseases ruled compensable by the Bureau of Workmen's Compensation are not covered by the University's group medical program. Payments for all such expenses are made directly to doctors, hospitals, etc., from the State Workmen's Compensation fund.

Dick Piccard revised this file (http://www.ohiou.edu/policy/s40-032.html) on September 13, 2005.

Please E-mail any comments or suggestions to "polproc@www.ohiou.edu".