The University has a responsibility,
as defined by the Pennsylvania Workers’
Compensation Act, to provide payment for reasonable
medical services and supplies and wage loss
compensation for Faculty, Staff, and Student
Employees, who sustain work-related injuries
or illnesses during the course of, and causally
related to, their employment. The University
has established procedures for determining liability,
proper medical management, possible solutions
to prevent future injuries or accidents, and
compensation through an elective schedule of
benefits. The University may use a third party
administrator, who has full access to claim
information, to assist in the administration
of this program.
A. ELIGIBILITY
All full-time and part-time Faculty, Staff,
and Student Employees on Duquesne’s payroll
who sustain a workrelated injury, illness, or
disease while performing duties within the course
and scope of their employment at the University,
may be eligible for reasonable medical services
and supplies, orthopedic appliances and prosthesis,
and wage loss benefits. Volunteers and individuals
who provide contracted services are not eligible
for benefits under the University’s Workers’
Compensation Program.
B. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
It is the responsibility of the Office of Risk
Management, in conjunction with the Office of
Human Resource Management, to work with the
affected employees, their supervisors, General
Counsel, and the third party administrator to
establish and resolve claims, and to return
employees to productive University employment
where needed and appropriate.
The Office of Risk Management will coordinate
all medical treatment and wage compensation
issues. The employee is responsible for maintaining
contact with their department regarding their
absence and for providing notification in writing
when medically released to return to work. The
supervisor is responsible for maintaining contact
with the affected employee. In cases where the
employee is temporarily unable to return to
normal duties, but is medically released to
return to work with restrictions, the department
must consider making necessary, temporary accommodations.
Modified duty positions should not be extended
beyond 120 days.
C. REPORTING AN INJURY
Any injury, illness, or disease that is work-related
or occurs during the course of the work day,
must be reported by the employee to his/her
supervisor immediately, but within 24 hours.
Failure of the employee to report the incident
within the specified time period, whether or
not medical treatment is initially requested
or needed, may jeopardize any claim for workers’
compensation benefits. The supervisor, in conjunction
with the affected employee, is responsible for
submitting a Supervisor’s Accident Report
to Risk Management within 72 hours of first
notice from the employee.
D. MEDICAL TREATMENT The acting
supervisor of an affected employee should assess
the immediacy of medical care. Minor injuries,
which include abrasions, small cuts, rashes,
strains, etc., should be treated at the University’s
Health Service facility on the second floor
of Towers Residence Hall during their regular,
daylight office hours. If more severe or an
emergency, contact the campus emergency number
at extension 4747 for assistance in arranging
transport to the nearest emergency department.
In order to ensure that medical treatment is
covered by the University’s Workers’
Compensation Program, the employee must seek
medical attention from a member of the designated
panel of providers for a period of 90 days from
the date he/she seeks medical treatment, or
the University may not be required to pay for
medical care during that period of time.
The Office of Risk Management should be contacted
at extension 4895 or 6677 immediately if an
affected employee requires medical treatment
for a work-related incident. A listing of the
panel of providers as designated by the University,
and the procedures to follow if an affected
employee requires continued medical treatment,
may be obtained through the Office of Risk Management.
Employees who refuse reasonable medical treatment,
including hospitalization, surgery, medication/or
supplies will forfeit all rights to benefits
or compensation or any acknowledgment of disability
status as a result of such refusal.
E. WAGE LOSS COMPENSATION
An employee may be paid a portion of his/her
salary/ wages if the employee is fully disabled
from working in any capacity (as deemed by the
treating physician and reviewed by the University)
due to a work-related incident. The Office of
Risk Management will advise the employee and
supervisor as to the amount of compensation
they will receive, as well as any other conditions
that will apply.
Abuse of the Workers’ Compensation Psrogram
may be cause for disciplinary action (loss of
pay, suspension, or dismissal) at the discretion
of the head of the department in which the individual
is employed.
