Workers’ Compensation

The employee is responsible for completing the employee incident report form. The supervisor is responsible for completing the North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 19: Employer’s Report of Employee’s Injury or Occupational Disease and the supervisor’s incident report form.  Completed forms should be submitted within 24 hours of the incident to the Department of Environment, Health and Safety at Campus Box 1650.  For more information, see the workers’ compensation policies in the Environment, Health and Safety Manual Chapter 3: Injury, Illness, and Near Miss.

When an employee is injured on the job, it is the responsibility of both the employee and supervisor to ensure prompt treatment is received. Authorized treatment locations are listed below.

• UEOHC
• After Hours
• Emergency Room
• Working Out of State

If an employee is placed out of work by the Workers’ Compensation Authorized Treating Physician, then certain leave procedures are in place.

• If an employee misses seven days or less, the employee is required to use vacation, sick, or leave without pay.
• If an employee misses more than seven days, but less than twenty-one days, then the days that exceed seven days will be charged to Workers’ Compensation Leave/
• If an employee misses more than twenty-one days, then the first 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.

The employee should contact their HR representative to complete the employee use of leave options form denoting how time will be charged. Additionally, the employee can elect to supplement their Workers’ Compensation leave with vacation/sick/bonus leave accrued prior to the incident.

The Workers’ Compensation Authorized Treating Physician will determine the employee’s work status and issue temporary restriction during the recovery period.  When an employee reaches Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), permanent restrictions may or may not be denoted. If permanent restrictions are denoted, the employee’s current position will be reviewed to determine if essential functions can be met  If not, then other open positions within the department or University will be reviewed for placement.

If an employee is placed on Workers’ Compensation Leave, the voluntary deductions that normally come out of the employee’s check through the University will not be taken out of their workers’ compensation check, which is issued by the State’s third-party administrator. The employee is responsible for coordinating those payments with the appropriate service provider (such as the State Employees Credit Union). For other University benefits, contact the benefits office at 919-962-3071 to set up the coordination of benefits.

The HR representative serves a vital role in the coordination of the employee’s workers’ compensation claim. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Notifying Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) immediately of incidents resulting in death, hospitalization, amputation or loss of eye.
• Ensure completion and submission of incident forms.
• Providing information regarding employee’s pay history.
• Coding of employee’s time.
• Completion of employee use of leave options form.
• Coordination of return to work.

Where do I seek treatment?

If you are injured on the job (M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except for University Holidays), you must seek medical attention at the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC). The UEOHC is located at 145 North Medical Drive.

What if I am hurt after hours?

For After-Hours Needlestick/Human Blood or body fluid exposures, please call the UEOHC at 919-966-9119 for further instructions.

For all other after-hour work related injuries that requires immediate medical care, go directly to the UNC-Chapel Hill Emergency Room. If immediate medical care is not needed, then please report to the UEOHC the following day.

What about emergency care?

For a life-threatening injury or illness, go directly to the UNC Emergency Department located in the Neurosciences Hospital on Manning Drive or to the nearest emergency facility.

What are medical benefits?

Medical Benefits are medical expenses that arise from an accident or occupational disease that arise out of, and in the course of, employment. See also: Workers’ Compensation Policy Benefits.

What are 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. This two-thirds pay is not subject to taxes. See also: Workers’ Compensation Policy Benefits.

Is there a return to work program?

Yes, UNC-Chapel Hill has a return to work program. Priority is given to employees on Workers’ Compensation Leave to effect an early return to work. Departments are encouraged to make modifications in job duties to reasonably accommodate temporary physical limitations.

Is my supervisor required to contact me?

Yes, it is University policy that the supervisor contact the injured employee. This process is done for follow-up and to ensure the employee is well taken care of.

What happens when I get hurt?

If you are injured on the job, you need to notify your supervisor immediately, seek medical attention at the UEOHC, and fill out the employee incident report form and submit to your supervisor and EHS. Your supervisor is responsible for completing the supervisor’s incident report form and the North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 19: Employer’s Report of Employee’s Injury or Occupational Disease.

Additional questions may be directed to Mary Crabtree, Workplace Safety Manager.