Workers' Compensation

Workers’ compensation is the University's exclusive response to work-related injuries. Workers’ compensation (WC) procedures and benefits are outlined by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Workers' Compensation Division. Any employee who feels they have sustained a work-related injury should file a workers’ compensation claim immediately.

If you believe you have been exposed or contracted COVID-19 at work, contact your primary care provider or an emergency room and report your injury to our Office.

Employee's 1st Report of Injury

Claim Reporting

Employees

To report a work-related injury you should complete the Employee’s First Report of Injury Form as soon as possible and within 24 hours of the injury. The original copy should be given to your supervisor. If you are going to see a medical professional and want it covered by workers' compensation insurance, you must follow the instructions listed on the WC Medical Providers Letter.

Supervisors

  1. Fill out the Supervisor Report.
  2. Conduct a thorough investigation of the injury to determine if it could have been prevented, if additional training is necessary, etc.
  3. Email the Employee’s First Report of Injury Form and Supervisor Report to risk@du.edu with "DU confidential" in the subject line within 24 hours.
  4. Provide the WC Medical Providers Letter at the time of the injury, unless it is a life-threatening/serious injury.
Chopp dedication

Workers' Compensation Providers Choice Letter

DU has designated two medical providers to treat employees injured on the job per House Bill 1176, the Employee Choice of Physician law.

Steps for completing the Provider Choice Letter process:

  • At the time of an employee's injury, the supervisor shall print 2 copies of the Workers' Compensation Medical Providers Letter.
  • One copy should be signed and dated by the employee and returned to the supervisor. The supervisor must send this form to ERM with their Supervisor Report.
  • The second copy is for the employee who should retain it for their records.
  • In addition, the supervisor should document the date the letter was provided to the employee on their Supervisor Report.
  • What else do you need to know about the Employee Choice of Physician law?

    If circumstances prevent providing the WC Provider Choice Letter at the time of injury, the letter must be provided by verifiable means within seven (7) business days of the injury notification date.

    An injured employee has the right to make a one-time change between the two medical providers by giving notice within 90 days of the injury, but before he/she reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI).

    The injured employee must request the change of medical provider in writing by submitting an approved Division of Workers’ Compensation form to the following parties:

    • The current treating physician
    • The requesting treating physician (this physician must be on the employer’s designated provider list)
    • DU's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
    • Pinnacol Assurance, the University’s WC insurance provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

 

Enterprise Risk Management