7 Procedural Information & Injury Report Forms Section C Workers' Compensation Issue Date: June 1990; Revised: March 2, 2009/August 2, 2011/December 9, 2013/July 2015/October 18, 2019/March 6, 2023/September 6, 2023 Policy Number: 37 Policy Applies To: All Employees The Florida Workers' Compensation Act is a system for providing necessary medical care and compensating workers who experience workrelated illnesses or injuries and are unable to work as a result of their illnesses or injuries. Employees are covered by Workers' Compensation from their first day on the job; there is no waiting period for eligibility for Workers' Compensation. Under Florida law, the term "injury" means personal injury or death by accident arising out of and in the course of employment, and any diseases or infections that naturally result from the injury. Workers' Compensation benefits include partial payment of lost wages if a work-related injury or illness causes the employee's absence for more than seven calendar days. In addition, Workers' Compensation, through the University's insurance carrier, pays all medical costs for medically necessary services pertaining to work-related injuries or illnesses when utilizing approved medical providers. The University will supplement wage payment by expending accrued personal, sick, or vacation leave, as necessary, once verification of the claim is received from the carrier, and the statutory "waiting period" has been met. When a work-related injury or illness results in lost time for more than 21 days, the Workers' Compensation wage benefits are retroactive to the original date of injury. In cases where the Workers' Compensation insurance carrier provides payment of wages, it is at the rate of twothirds of the employee's average gross weekly wage at the time of injury or illness up to a statutorily established cap. The University's supplemental wage payment, when available, is provided up to the amount of the employee's regular net pay. During the time that an employee is absent from work but has not reverted to unpaid status, the employee's medical insurance continues with both NSU and the employee paying their respective contributions. If the employee reverts to unpaid status, the university continues to pay for the employee's medical insurance premiums to avoid lapse in coverage whereby the employee's portion of the premiums would be collected in arrears upon the employee's return to work. When a work-related injury or illness occurs, the employee must immediately report the work-related injury to a supervisor (regardless of the severity of the injury). Either the supervisor or the employee must also notify the Risk Management Office and the Office of Public Safety directly. At that time the supervisor and employee must complete the First Report of Injury or Illness packet and submit it immediately to the Risk Management Office. NSU is required by law to report work-related injuries or illnesses whether major or minor, to the state within seven days of such occurrence. Supervisors and or OHR contacts must provide the Risk Management staff with an executed First Report of Injury or Illness packet and any pertinent notes and information so the claim can be filed with CCMSI and other follow-up procedures completed. Failure to do so could result in monetary and other serious fines. Therefore, all supervisors and or employees must report all work-related injuries immediately for filing. Arrangements for immediate medical care will be authorized and arranged by the Risk Management Office. NSU reserves the right to conduct drug and/or alcohol testing of all parties to work related accidents or incidents. Information about the drug testing policies may be accessed online at https://www.nova.edu/hr/policies/drug-alcohol-free-workplace.html. Employees electing to utilize medical providers not authorized in advance by Nova Southeastern University and/or its workers' compensation insurance carrier may be responsible for any costs related to such services rendered. Time away from work for the initial medical care should not be charged to the employee’s sick, personal, or vacation time. Subsequent followup medical care should be recorded in Shark Time (KRONOS) or on a leave and absentee report utilizing the employee’s accrued sick, personal, or vacation hours, or be unpaid. Employees are responsible for coordinating medical leave of absence with OHR, Lincoln Financial Group, and their department. Contact the Office of Public Safety; they will call 911 to provide medical attention for emergency situations. Medical care will be provided through the Workers' Compensation Network, NSU's insurance company and coordinated by the Risk Management Office.
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