Worker's Compensation » Worker's Compensation

Worker's Compensation

A Two-pronged Approach to Reducing Accidents

The first is simply by raising awareness. No one wants to injure themselves. Small activities such as hanging safety reminder posters, including short articles in the campus newsletter and rewarding an employee found performing their daily tasks safely are extremely cost effective. An increased awareness of the need to always practice good work habits goes a long way toward preventing accidents.

The second is a formal safety training program designed to reinforce good habits and eliminate bad ones. Be sure to carefully read the Workers' Compensation Manual given at the beginning of the year and follow up with routine Lyford CISD Safety Training.

Texas Department of Insurance - Division of Workers Compensation

Q & A

1. What is Workers' Compensation?

Workers' Compensation is a State-Regulated Program that:

  • Pays reasonable medical costs if you are injured on the job
  • May pay income benefits to replace part of the wages you lose because of an on-the-job injury
  • Pays income benefits if you have a permanent impairment from an on-the-job injury and
  • Pays death benefits to your legal beneficiaries if you are killed on the job

Workers' compensation will replace 70% or 75% of an employee's lost wages, depending on hourly rate, if the injury or illness causes the employee to lose all of his/her income for more than seven days. An employee becomes eligible for Temporary Income Benefits (TIB) on the eighth day that a work-related injury or illness causes the employee to lose all of his/her usual pay.Payment coming from workers' compensation is not salary. Workers' compensation does not provide  leave entitlement norjob restoration rights. Workers' Compensation is not a form of leave.

 
2. What to do when injured on the job?

An employee shall report an on-the-job injury to his/her supervisor by the conclusion of the work day. The affected school or department must report all on-the-job injuries and/or work-related illnesses to the LCISD Food Service Department 956-347-3907 within twenty-four (24) hours.

Due to the State of Texas requirements for punctual reporting of on-the-job injuries and work-related illnesses, it is imperative that such incidents be reported promptly and accurately. Failure to report may result in substantial fines assessed against the Lyford CISD by the Texas Workers' Compensation System. 

  • An employee shall report an alleged on-the-job injury to his/her department reporting point of contact and supervisor by the conclusion of the shift in which the injury occurred, , even if the injured employee does not plan to seek medical attention..
  • If the injured employee requests medical treatment, the injured employee will receive a "Medical Verification Form" and will be sent to the medical provider of their choice from the list of Medical Alliance for treatment for the on the job injury/incident. 
  • For a list of Medical Facilities accepting Workers’ Comp visit: https://www.pswca.org/find-a-provider.html .
  • When the employees is released by the treating physician, the employee must present the work status report to the Human Resources Department and receive clearance from the Human Resources Director to return to his/her job site; call and notify the Food Service Department. (Follow up the phone call with a written confirmation memo or email.)
3. My employee has been injured on the job. What do I do?

Department Reporting Point Of Contact Instructions:

For emergencies please direct employee to nearest Emergency Room or Clinic.

1. Ensure employee leaves with Verification of Reported WC Claim form and Optum First Fill® Program Information.

2. Immediately, contact Raquel Quiroga at (956)347-3907

 

  • Be sure to notify Raquel Quiroga, Food Service Clerk, (956)347-3907 Phone (956)347-3921 Fax, [email protected] email immediately if employee misses any time, returns to work, or if there are any questions or concerns.
  • When the employee returns to work, after being off due to an alleged on-the-job injury and meets with the Human Resources Office for clearance, call and notify the Food Service Department. (Follow the phone call with a written confirmation memo or email.)

All signed forms and paperwork must be emailed or faxed Raquel Quiroga, Food Service Clerk, (956)347-3907 Phone (956)347-3921 Fax, [email protected] email immediately, no later than the next business day.

NOTE: When the employee is released by the doctor to return to work with or without restrictions, the employee shall bring the work status report provided by the treating physician and meet with the human resource office before returning to work.

 

For non-emergency on the job injury/incidents:

  • Go to www.tasbrmf.org and complete a First Report of Injury and file with the Food Service Department by the next business day (click here for instructions). 
  • Have Employee sign Acknowledgement of Medical Alliance. 

 

  • If Employee feels the need to seek medical treatment, complete and give the Verification of Reported WC Claim form and Optum First Fill® Program Information.

 

To search for primary care physicians in your area go to the Find a Doctor link at the Political Subdivision Medical Alliance (www.pswca.org) website.

  • Have Employee advise whether he/she wishes to use available leave for any possible lost time due to the on the job injury by completing and signing an Election of Leave form.  

 

All signed forms and paperwork must be emailed or faxed Raquel Quiroga, Food Service Clerk, (956)347-3907 Phone (956)347-3921 Fax, [email protected] email immediately, no later than the next business day.

  • Be sure to notify Raquel Quiroga, Food Service Clerk, (956)347-3907 Phone (956)347-3921 Fax, [email protected] email immediately if employee misses any time, returns to work, or if there are any questions or concerns.
  • When the employee returns to work, after being off, due to an alleged on-the-job injury, and meets with the Human Resources Office for clearance, call and notify the Food Service Department. (Follow the phone call with a written confirmation memo or email.)

NOTE: When the employee is released by the doctor to return to work with or without restrictions, the employee shall bring the work status report provided by the treating physician and meet with the human resource office before returning to work.

Please refer injured employee directly to the Food Service Office for further questions or issues regarding any workers’ compensation injury.

 
4. Will I be allowed to use my personal leave, due to my work-related injury?

 

An employee, injured in the scope of his/her employment, will be allowed to use his/her personal leave days to supplement his/her workers' compensation Temporary Income Benefits until those personal leave days are exhausted.

 

5. Is the District required to continue health insurance contribution while on WC leave?

The workers' compensation law does not require the continuation of the District's contribution to health insurance regarding payment of insurance contribution during employee absences. Lyford CISD DEC (Local) Policy. Lyford CISD CRD (Local)-A.