Roanoke Public Library provides a comprehensive worker’s compensation insurance program at no cost to employees for the benefit of all employees. If an employee is injured while working at his or her job he or she may be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits.
Subject to applicable legal requirements, worker’s compensation insurance provides benefits after a short waiting period.
Any employee who sustains a work-related injury or illness must complete an Accident/Illness Report Form and give the completed form to the Library Director immediately. The report form creates the foundation for worker’s compensation claims, and must be completed as accurately as possible. The Library Director will use this form to complete the Notice of First Loss required by the Library’s insurance carrier for consideration of coverage. The Library’s carrier requires that the Notice of First Loss be completed within 24 hours.
No matter how minor an on-the-job injury may appear, it is important that it be reported immediately. This will enable the eligible employee to qualify for coverage as quickly as possible.
If the employee has a life-threatening condition, he/she should proceed directly to either Lutheran Hospital of Indiana at 7950 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 or Parkview Huntington Hospital at 2001 Stults Rd, Huntington, IN 46750. Employees experiencing non-life threatening injuries may seek medical attention from the physician of their choice.
Medical items such as prescription medication, permanent medical equipment, or disposable medical equipment should not be paid for out-of-pocket, but billed as worker’s compensation coverage from the Roanoke Public Library.
When being admitted to the emergency care area the employee must tell the registrar that the treatment is to be billed as worker’s compensation coverage from the Roanoke Public Library. The billing address for this coverage is:
Director
Roanoke Public Library
PO Box 249
Roanoke, IN 46783
As specified by Indiana worker’s compensation statutes, if a compensable injury renders an employee unable to work, compensation for lost wages is paid starting on the eighth (8th) day. However, on the twenty-second (22nd) day of disability the employee will receive compensation for the first seven (7) days.
The first weekly installment of compensation is due fourteen (14) days after the disability begins. Not later than fifteen (15) days from the date that the first installment is due, the employer/carrier must render to the employee an Agreement of Compensation, along with compensation due.
If however, the employer/carrier denies liability, a written notice of denial must be mailed with twenty-nine (29) days after the employer’s knowledge of the alleged injury. The employer may obtain the medical information necessary to make a determination as to liability.
Certain injuries are excluded from worker’s compensation coverage (employee intoxication, self-inflicted injuries, failure to use safety appliances, committing a violation of work rules, failing to obey a reasonable written or printed safety rule, knowing failure to perform a statutory duty are examples of exclusions). Neither Roanoke Public Library nor the insurance carrier will be liable for the payment of worker’s compensation benefits or worker’s compensation disability leave pay for off-duty injuries or illnesses that occur during and employee’s voluntary participation in any off-duty recreational, social or athletic activity sponsored or not sponsored by the Roanoke Public Library.
While on worker’s compensation disability, employee benefits shall accrue. Employee income received while on leave under this policy shall not exceed wages the employee would have normally received prior to worker’s compensation disability.
While an employee is on worker’s compensation leave, he/she shall not be engaged in outside employment.
Holiday pay will not be paid in addition to worker’s compensation disability leave pay.
During worker’s compensation leave employees may be required to submit to periodic medical certifications on their serious health condition. Before returning to work, the employee shall provide a medical certification from a health care provider verifying that he/she may safely return to work.
Restricted duty or modified duty will be handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the recommendations from the treating physician.
Worker’s compensation leave is designated as Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave beginning with the first day of leave. All such leave time used counts against the employee’s twelve (12) week FMLA entitlement.
NOTE: Policy thanks to the Newton County Public Library. Adopted 2/20/2013