Workers' Compensation Benefit
- Eligibility
- Medical benefits
- Workers' Compensation leave benefits
- Limitations based on length of disability
- Leave supplement
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Retirement
General
Workers' Compensation benefits are available to any employee who suffers disability through accident or occupational disease arising out of, and in the course of, his or her employment, according to the provisions of the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act.Eligibility
All University employees, whether full-time, part-time, or temporary, are eligible for Workers' Compensation benefits.Medical benefits
The Worker's Compensation Act of North Carolina provides for full payment of medical expenses from an accident or occupational disease arising out of, and in the course of, employment. The medical care provider should be informed that the illness or injury is work-related at the time of treatment; however, if it is subsequently determined that the injury or illness was not in fact work-related, the employee will be responsible for payment of the medical fees to the care provider. Further medical services such as rehabilitation, physical therapy, or chiropractic services, require prior approval through the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC), or they will not be covered.Workers' Compensation Leave Benefits
Employees who suffer lost work-time injuries or illnesses are eligible to receive Workers' Compensation leave pay, equivalent to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, with a maximum equal to the average wage in North Carolina. The maximum compensation rate is adjusted annually by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.Limitations Based on Length of Disability
Lost Work-Time 7 Days or Less: Workers' Compensation Leave benefits are not payable if the lost work-time is seven calendar days or less. For payroll purposes, the lost work-time must be charged to Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, or Leave Without Pay. The HR-28, Workers' Compensation Leave Option, Appendix A, must be completed to choose leave for the seven-day waiting period.Lost Work-Time More than 7 Days, Less Than 21 Days: If the lost work-time exceeds seven days, but is less than twenty-one calendar days, the days in excess of seven days must be charged to Workers' Compensation Leave.
Lost Work-Time 21 Days or More: If the lost work-time exceeds twenty-one days, the seven-day waiting period is waived and Workers' Compensation Leave payments begin from the first day of disability, or the employee is reimbursed at the end of the twenty-one days.
Note: If the employee has used Vacation or Sick Leave for the seven-day waiting period, that leave cannot be reinstated to his/her leave record. If Vacation or Sick Leave was used after the waiting period, that leave is reinstated to the employee's leave record.