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FAQs Regarding Workers' Compensation (SAIF)

Who must report on-the-job injuries and illnesses?
Who can file a workers' compensation claim?
What do I do if I get hurt on the job?
When do I file a workers' compensation claim?
What if I need medical treatment?
How will I know if my claim has been accepted or denied?
What are the benefits?
Can I be charged for medical treatment?
What are the the time loss benefits for a temporary total disability?

For PSU Safety Committee information visit their website at http://www.safetycommittee.pdx.edu/

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Answers:
ALL students, student workers, visitors, volunteers, temporary and permanent employees (both faculty and staff; academic and classified).

Primarily only student workers, temporary and permanent employees (both faculty and staff; academic and classified) employed by PSU and paid from Oregon University System (formerly OSSHE) payroll. However, there are exceptions. For more information contact the Employee Benefits Office.

The first thing to do is report the injury or accident immediately. Tell your supervisor about the injury and how it happened. Your supervisor is then required to complete the PSU Injury Report Form.

ONLY when you seek medical treatment. If you do not see a doctor, you do not file a claim. However, you are still required to report the injury/illness to your supervisor immediately!

The administrative office in your department or college should have a supply of the claim form titled Workers' Compensation Claim Form 801 - SAIF Corporation. You complete the worker portion, your supervisor or other assigned person in the department completes the employer portion. The completed Report of Accident should be attached to the completed 801 claim form. Send to the Human Resources Office within 48 hours of an injury or notification of an injury/illness. When necessary, the completed forms can be faxed to 725-5896; originals should still be sent to the Human Resources Office. PSU must send the 801 form to SAIF (see also Oregon Worker's Compensation Division) within 3 days from the date of injury or knowledge of the supervisor's claim.

If you need medical treatment, tell your doctor on your first visit that your injury happened on the job or that you believe your illness is work-related. The doctor must tell you if there are any limits to the amount of medical services he or she can provide.

SAIF will evaluate your claim and decide to accept or deny it. This decision must be made within 90 days. In some cases it may take up to 90 days to gather the medical or employment information needed to make a decision. If your claim is denied, you will be given a specific amount of time to appeal the decision.

Medical: If your claim is accepted, SAIF will pay the fees for medical, surgical, hospital, nursing, ambulance, medication, crutches, braces, supports, prosthetic appliances, and when necessary, physical rehabilitation. There are exceptions.

You can be charged for medical costs if:

Treatment of conditions is not related to an accepted injury or illness.
Treatment has not been prescribed by your attending physician. This would include, but not be limited to, treatment of nonattending physicians that continues after SAIF has notified you to change.
Palliative care, which is not covered by Workers' Compensation law and not approved by SAIF. This includes most treatments after you are medically stationary.
Treatment not covered by an MCO contract.
If your doctor tells you to stop working, but thinks you will recover and return to work, you have a Temporary Total Disability and are eligible for "time-loss" benefits.

You are eligible for time-loss benefits after the first three calendar days you cannot work, beginning with the first day you lose time from work because of the injury or illness. If you are unable to work for 14 straight days or are admitted as an inpatient to a hospital during your first time-loss period, time-loss benefits are paid back to the first day you missed work.

If you have questions about Workers' Compensation or have had an on-the-job injury or illness, contact Heidi Lively Melton, Benefits Specialist at 503-725-4943.