On Duty Injuries
1042.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide for the reporting of on-duty injuries, occupational illnesses, or deaths to Risk Management, to ensure proper medical attention is received, and document the circumstances of the incident.
1042.2 WORKER'S COMPENSATION FUND REPORTS
1042.2.1 INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE
All work related injuries and work related illnesses requiring medical care must be reported to the Risk Management Office and a claim form shall be provided to the injured employee within 24 hours from the time the injury was discovered, excluding weekends and holidays.
1042.2.2 ACCIDENT DEFINED
Accident - is defined as any occurrence from which bodily injury or property damage may result, regardless of whether any injury or damage actually does occur (e.g., exposure where no immediate injury is apparent).
1042.2.3 EMPLOYEE'S RESPONSIBILITY
Any employee sustaining any work-related injury or illness, as well as any employee who is involved in any accident while on duty shall report such injury, illness or accident as soon as practical to his/her supervisor.
Any employee observing or learning of a potentially hazardous condition is to promptly report the condition to his/her immediate supervisor.
Any employee sustaining a work-related injury or illness that requires relief from duty is required to be examined/treated by a doctor.
Any employee sustaining a work-related injury or illness that requires relief from duty is also required to comply with departmental policies and directives relating to the duty to periodically call in during absences, as well as the duty to notify the Department of any change in condition or anticipated duration of the absence.
When appropriate, an employee being treated for an on-duty injury should inform the attending physician that a modified duty assignment may be available at the Department. Limited-service duty may be available for the employees whose injuries prevent resumption of regular duties.
An injured employee or employee who has suffered a work-related illness shall report as soon as practical to his/her immediate supervisor the medical findings concerning the injury and the extent and duration of any work restrictions if they are known. In addition, such employees are required to promptly submit all medical releases, whether partial or full releases, to their supervisor.
1042.2.4 SUPERVISOR'S RESPONSIBILITY
A supervisor learning of any work-related injury, illness or accident shall promptly prepare the appropriate forms as outlined under Policy Manual § 1042.2. Updated copies of forms with instructions for completion provided by Risk Management are kept in the Sergeant's office.
For work-related accidents, injuries or illness not requiring professional medical care, a Supervisor's Report of Injury form shall be completed in triplicate. All copies of the completed form shall be forwarded to the supervisor's Division Commander, through the chain of command.
When an accident, injury, or illness is reported initially on the Supervisor's Report of Injury form and the employee subsequently requires professional medical care, the State of California Employer's Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form shall then be completed. The injured employee shall also sign the form in the appropriate location.
Every injured employee must be provided with an Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits Form (DWC-1) within 24 hours, regardless of the nature of illness or injury.
Copies of any reports documenting the accident or injury should be forwarded to the Division Commander as soon as they are completed.
1042.2.5 LIEUTENANT RESPONSIBILITY
The Division Commander receiving a report of a work-related accident or injury should review the report for accuracy and determine what additional action should be taken. The report shall then be forwarded to the Chief of Police.
1042.2.6 CHIEF OF POLICE RESPONSIBILITY
The Chief of Police shall review and forward copies of the report to the Department of Human Resources. Any copies of the report and any related documents retained by the Department shall be filed in the employee's confidential medical file and not in the employee's personnel file (see Policy Manual § 1026).
1042.3 INJURY NOT REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION
Those injuries and illnesses not requiring medical attention shall be recorded on a Supervisor's Report of Injury form. This form shall be completed and signed by a supervisor.
This form shall be signed by the affected employee, indicating that he/she desired no medical attention at the time of the report. By signing this form, the employee will not preclude his/her ability to seek medical attention later.
1042.4 SETTLEMENT OF INJURY CLAIMS
Occasionally, an employee's work-related injury results from the negligent or wrongful acts of another, for which the employee, the University, and/or other insurers are entitled to recover civilly. To ensure that the University's interests are protected and that the employee has the benefit of the University's experience in these matters, the following procedure is to be followed:
1042.4.1 EMPLOYEE TO REPORT INITIAL CONTACTS
When an employee sustains work-related injuries caused by another person and is then approached by such person or an agent, insurance company, or attorney and offered a settlement of claims, that employee shall take no action other than to make a written report of this contact to his/her supervisor as soon as possible.
1042.4.2 NO SETTLEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL
In no case shall the employee accept a settlement without receiving prior approval of the Chief of Police. It must first be determined that the offered settlement will not affect any claim the University of California, Santa Cruz may have regarding payment for damage(s) to equipment or reimbursement for wages against the person who caused the accident or injury. The objective of this policy is to protect the University's right of subrogation, while ensuring that the employee's rights to receive compensation for injuries are not affected.
