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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 experiences a work-related injury should fill out the Employee's First Report of Injury immediately.

Employee's 1st Report of Injury (English) Employee's 1st Report of Injury (Español)

Claim Reporting

Employees

To report a work-related injury, employees must complete the Employee’s First Report of Injury Form (disponible en Español) and submit it within 24 hours of the injury. If an employee is going to seek medical treatment and want it covered by workers' compensation insurance, they must follow the instructions listed on the WC Medical Providers Letter.

Supervisors

Fill out the Supervisor Report.
Conduct a thorough investigation to determine if injury could have been prevented, if additional training is necessary, etc.
Give the injured employee the WC Medical Providers Letter at the time of the injury, unless it is a life-threatening/serious injury.
Email the Employee’s First Report of Injury Form (available in Spanish), Supervisor Report, and a signed copy of the WC Medical Providers Letter to risk@du.edu with "DU confidential" in the subject line within 24 hours.

Chopp dedication

Workers' Compensation Providers Choice Letter

DU has designated 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 should print two (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 scan the signed letter and send it to ERM with their Supervisor Report.
The employee should keep the second copy.
The supervisor should write the date the letter was provided to their 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

What is accident investigation?

The process of examining every factor of an incident in detail to determine the root cause(s). Root causes are contributing factors/events (acts and conditions) that may cause incidents.
Will the injured employee be drug tested?

Please see the current DU Human Resources & Inclusive Community policy.
Why conduct accident investigations?
- To prevent future incidents.
- To provide a safe work environment for employees.
- To reduce employee's lost time due to injuries.
What is not part of accident investigation?

Accident investigation is NOT used to determine blame or fault.
How should the Supervisor Report be completed and what should be considered?
Consider:
- What are the causes of the incident (e.g. equipment, environment, people/behavior, materials)?
- Why did the incident occur according to the FACTS?
- Does this employee need re-training? If so, what kind?
- What could have been done to prevent the incident?
- Was the incident caused by any unsafe acts or conditions?
- What action is recommended to prevent recurrence?
When evaluating, keep asking why and dig deep. For example, if an employee falls on the stairs, why did it happen? Were the stairs wet, damaged, lighting was poor, etc.
What to do if an injured employee needs transportation to a clinic?

Employees should not transport other injured employees.

If an employee needs ongoing transportation to medical appointments, they should contact ERM at risk@du.edu.
What if I am not sure I need to file a claim?

If you or your employee thinks, "I am fine, I do not need to go to a doctor," it is best to file a Notice Only report by completing the Employee First Report of Injury and Supervisor Report. The condition may persist and the employee may later decide to see a doctor. If the employee decides to seek treatment at a later date, you must let ERM know and they will make sure the claim is reported.
Does an employee have to seek medical treatment for a work-related injury?

Employees do not have to seek medical treatment for a work-related injury.
What if the employee insists that their claim is work-related, and it appears that it is not?

Claims that involve injury to an employee should be submitted to ERM. If the injury does not appear to be industrial in nature (work-related), it is not up to the supervisor or ERM to determine compensability. A claim should be submitted and the WC carrier will determine if it will be accepted.
Should employees with restricted hours be paid for their usual hours (e.g. employee usually works 40 hours and is restricted to 20 hours)?

No, employees should only be paid for the hours actually worked. If the employee is due supplemental wages, the WC carrier will supplement their income.

Contact

Enterprise Risk Management

risk@du.edu
303-871-2327
303-871-2327
303-871-4455
303-871-4455
Administrative Office Building
2601 E. Colorado Ave.
Denver, Colorado 80208