Workers' Compensation Program

Contacts: Office of Risk Management, (202) 687-6622
Important Addresses and Telephone Numbers

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The District of Columbia Workers’ Compensation Act is administered by the District's Department of Employment Services.  Georgetown supports the provisions of this Act. 

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The Office of Risk Management receives notification of all Georgetown University's work-related injuries/illnesses by way of a supervisor's report.  Upon notification, Risk Management reports the injury/illness to the University's third-party administrator, Zurich Services Corporation.  Every effort is made to ensure that each employee receives all workers' compensation applicable benefits.  All claims are subject to investigation and approval.

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Handling a Work-Related Injury or Illness 

In the event of a work-related illness or injury both the employee and the supervisor have a responsibility to assure that complete and accurate information is conveyed to the University's Office of Risk Management.

If this information is not received, the Office of Risk Management is unable to process any claim or provide any benefits.

If a work-related incident occurs it should be reported to the supervisor immediately. The supervisor should complete the Supervisor's Report of Injury or Occupational Illness Form and fax it to Risk Management immediately at (202) 687-5680.

• Supervisor's Report of Injury Form (DOC)

Responsibilities

• Injured Employee's Responsibilities
• Supervisor's Responsibilities
• Payroll Coordinator's Responsibilities

Forms and Additional Information

• Forms 
• Quick Reference Guides for Employees 
• A Guide To Understanding Workers’ Compensation  
• HR Policy 613 "Injury-On-The-Job and Workers' Compensation"
• Wage Disability Payments and Restrictions 

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Quick Reference Guides

Information provided in the quick reference guides is intended to give employees an overview of the workers' compensation program at Georgetown University.  The injured employee's guide includes a temporary prescription card.

• Injured Employee's Guide (DOC)
• Supervisor's Guide (DOC)
• Payroll Coordinator's Guide (DOC)

Forms

• Supervisor’s Report of Injury - Word Doc (DOC)
• Employee's Work Absence Letter (DOC)
• Workers' Compensation Leave Form (DOC)
• Employee's Rights & Obligations Information - District of Columbia (RTF)

FAQ

• What is the purpose of workers' compensation?

  • Workers' compensation is a form of no-fault insurance designed to cover work-related injuries and illnesses arising in the course of employment with the University. It is a statutory benefit in the District of Columbia, and the cost is fully borne by the University. Because this insurance program is fully funded by the University, all claims of on-the-job injuries and illnesses are subject to investigation and approval. Benefits may include payment for medical bills, a percentage of lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.  Benefits are paid only af it is determined that the injury or illness is job related.

• Who is eligible for workers' compensation benefits?

  • Employees who receive a paycheck from Georgetown University are eligible to receive workers' compensation insurance including full-time, part-time, and Hoya Temps.

• What does workers' compensation insurance cover?

  • Work-related injuries and illness are covered under workers’ compensation. To be considered work-related, the injury or illness must arise from and be suffered during the course of employment. There must be a cause-effect relationship between the job and injury.

    • Injuries occurring on University property during the normal workday are usually considered work-related. 
    • Occupational illnesses originating on the job (such as skin dermatitis) and cumulative trauma conditions are covered by workers’ compensation. 
    • Accidents occurring on University property before or after working hours or during lunch breaks may be covered. 
    • Injuries suffered away from the University by employees engaged in University business may be covered.
      
• Where should an employee get medical treatment?

  • An employee who is injured or becomes ill while on the job must get treatment:

    Severe: call GERMS at (202) 687-4357 or call 911.

    • Urgent: get treatment at the nearest emergency or urgent care facility.
    • Non-Urgent: get treatment from a healthcare provider of choice as soon as possible but no later than one (1) week after the incident.
• What if an injury doesn't require medical attention?

  • Many injuries do not require anything other than minor first aid treatment such as cleaning and dressing a wound. Not every injury should be seen by a physician. Still, every injury should be reported and a claim established in the event that future medical attention is required.

• How does an employee file a claim?

  • An employee who is injured or becomes ill on the job must notify his/her supervisor immediately. The supervisor will report the incident to the Office of Risk Management and submit the Supervisor’s Report of Injury or Occupational Illness Form.

• What does an employee do if a claim is denied?

  • If a claim is denied the employee will be notified by the University's third-party administrator in writing.  The supervisor will be notified by Risk Management.

    Actions an employee may take might include:

    • Contact the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services.
    • Apply for Short-Term or Long-Term Disability benefits at the Faculty and Staff Benefits Office:  (202) 687-2500.
    • Contact Risk Management or his/her human resources generalist to discuss the outcome.
• Why must the University report the incident?

  • Employers are required by law to report work-related injuries to the U.S. Department of Labor and the District of Columbia. Filing a Supervisor’s Report of Injury Form and DCWC Forms 7 and 7a protects the employee and preserves their rights under the law. What you may now consider a minor accident could develop into a major problem a few weeks, or months, later. Report all on-the-job injuries to your supervisor as soon as possible.

• Who is responsible for reporting an incident and when?

  • The law considers notification to a supervisor sufficient notice to the employer.  The employee has a responsibility to report the injury and assist the supervisor in completing the Injury Reporting Form. This must be done as soon as possible following the discovery of a work-related injury or illness. District of Columbia law requires that the employer send a copy of the employer’s first Report of Injury to the District within 14 days of the date of injury.

• Is leave used to cover an absence on the day of an incident?

  • It is University policy to pay an injured or ill employee for the balance of his/her work shift on the date of the injury/illness, no matter what time the incident occured, or whether the employee returns to work ont he same day.

• Can leave be used in lieu of workers' compensation payments?

  • The District of Columbia stipulates that an employee may not use leave in lieu of workers' compensation disability payments.  If an employee uses paid leave or sick leave while receiving workers' compensation payments (with the exception of the 3-day wait period), the University will be reimbursed the amount of leave paid to the employee.  There are no exceptions.

• What is "double pay"?

  • An employee who receives his/her regular University paycheck and a workers' compensation payment for the same period of time will be required to reimburse the University their regular pay in order to avoid a double pay situation.  The Discrict of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act forbids double pay.