Workers Compensation for WSU Employees
What to do when a work-related injury or illness occurs
In the case of an injury or illness so severe that the employee is non-responsive or unconscious following an injury or illness:
- DO NOT call the Nurse Triage line - this service is not equipped to provide emergency assistance
- Call 9-1-1
- Stay with the employee until medical assistance arrives. Do not move them unless explicitly instructed to do so by emergency dispatch.
- After the employee is in the hands of medical professionals, call SSIF at 785-296-2364 to make the first report of injury. Be ready with the employee's name, date of birth, time of injury, and location of treatment, if employee was taken offsite by medical personnel.
- Notify the employee's emergency contact.
- Email TotalRewards@wichita.edu to notify of the injury. Follow up as soon as possible with the completed Accident Report Form.
In the case where an employee is seriously injured, including but not limited to profuse bleeding, major head injuries, or broken bone(s):
- If the employee would like to drive themselves, it should first be assessed if they are capable of driving themselves. Shortly after an injury the extent of the injury may not be known (to the individual) and/or an individual may be in shock and appear ok, but should not drive. If in question, arrange for other transportation or call 9-1-1 to request ambulatory services. If the employee or another individual is driving themselves, immediately send them to the nearest urgent-care or emergency care facility. There is a non-exhaustive list of local medical centers on the accident report form.
- If the employee is unable to drive, arrange other transportation or call 9-1-1 to request emergency ambulatory services.
- Call SSIF at 785-296-2364 to make the first report of injury. Be ready with the employee's name, date of birth, time of injury, and location of treatment, if employee was taken offsite by medical personnel.
- Notify the employee's emergency contact.
- Email TotalRewards@wichita.edu to notify of the injury. Follow up as soon as possible with the completed Accident Report Form.
In the case of a minor injury that needs treatment but is not an emergency situation:
- Bring the employee to a private space, and have them call the Nurse Triage line at 1-833-756-2007. The supervisor should be present for the call, but able to give the employee privacy while answering medical questions.
- If self-care is appropriate for the situation, the nurse can provide those instructions directly to the employee without the time or expense of an ER or urgent care visit.
- If an in-person medical appointment is deemed necessary, the nurse will arrange an appointment at a nearby in-network provider, and will provide the employee with the appointment information.
- Complete an Accident Report Form and send to TotalRewards@wichita.edu within three (3) calendar days of the incident.
In cases where the employee receives a very minor injury, but does not wish to seek treatment, or has a work-related accident that does not result in any injury:
- Complete an Accident Report Form and send to TotalRewards@wichita.edu within three (3) calendar days of the incident.
- A workers compensation claim must be filed with State Self-Insurance Fund (SSIF) for all work-related illness or injury, even if the employee does not immediately request or require medical attention.
- If the employee feels at any time that they need to seek treatment, they should notify their supervisor and contact the Nurse Triage line at 1-833-756-2007. The supervisor should be present for the call, but able to give the employee privacy while answering medical questions.
What to do after a work-related injury or illness
Employees
- Report all workplace accidents to your leader as soon as possible after they occur, even if it doesn't result in an injury or illness
- Provide all work releases and treatment reports to HR promptly after each appointment.
These can be turned in via:
- Email to TotalRewards@wichita.edu (preferred)
- Drop-off at the HR front desk on WSU Main Campus during hours of operation
- Sent through campus mail to Box 015, attn: Leave Administrator
- Faxed to 316-978-3274, attn: Leave Administrator
- Enter leave related to work comp on timesheet/leave report using sick/vacation leave.
Supervisors
- Ensure that all missed work hours related to work-related injury or illness is recorded on the timesheet or leave report as regular Sick Leave. If the employee is later approved for total temporary disability (TTD) pay, also known as lost-time pay, this is coordinated between Financial Operations Payroll and SSIF.
- Email TotalRewards@wichita.edu to notify the Leave Administrator of any work restrictions, and work with the HR Business Partner assigned to your area to plan and document any accommodations made.
- If the employee provides you with medical documentation, including but not limited to work releases and treatment reports, forward to Human Resources at TotalRewards@wichita.edu or by campus mail to Box 015, attn: Leave Administrator.
Other helpful links:
State Self-Insurance Fund (SSIF)
State Self-Insurance Fund, a division of KDHE, oversees all Workers’ Compensation
claims for state employees. After OHR collects all necessary paperwork, we will send
it to SSIF who will determine if your claim is approved or denied.
CompAlliance
CompAlliance is the insurance company that pays medical bills for claims that SSIF
has determined are approved for compensation.
Kansas Department of Labor
For questions about Workers’ Compensation Law, please visit the Kansas Department
of Labor links below.
Who to Contact
HR Total Rewards Team
totalrewards@wichita.edu
SME: JO
Updated: 09/21/2023 SA