Employees injured in the course of their employment or diagnosed with an occupational disease (an illness resulting from long-term employment in a particular type of work, such as black lung disease among miners, or cancer among asbestos installers.), and the injury or illness is identified by Louisiana statue as compensable by law, then the injury or illness is covered by the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act. The rate of pay for an employee receiving worker's compensation and the period of time they are eligible to receive compensation are fixed by the Act. The College pays for the entire cost of the program in behalf of its employees. Personal group medical insurance cannot be used for eligible job related injury or illness covered by the Workers' Compensation Act. The College provides this coverage to all full time and part time staff and faculty, student workers, and volunteers.

What To Do If You or a Co-Worker Is Injured on the Job

1. When an injury occurs on the job, obviously the supervisor or co-worker(s) in close proximity may have to make a judgment call as to the type of injury and treatment needed and IF a true emergency exists in the situation. In such a situation, supervisor and staff are instructed to err on the side of caution - WHEN IN DOUBT TREAT THE SITUATION AS AN EMERGENCY.
   
   If injury is sustained and the situation is an emergency or life threatening,contact 911 immediately for professional emergency medical treatment and also contact DPS at extension 5000 for emergency medical backup on campus until other medical help arrives.
2. If injury is sustained, but is not life threatening (this includes poison ivy and insect bites/stings, etc.), the injured employee should report the injury to a supervisor immediately for medical attention at a Willis Knighton facility (i.e. Work Kare if the injury is not emergency/life threatening).
3. The supervisor should notify Human Resources as soon as possible by phone of the injury.
4. The supervisor of the injured employee is responsible for completing the Employer's First Report Injury/Illness Form and submitting it to HR as soon as possible. This is necessary for Worker's Compensation.
   
   If necessary, contact Human Resources at extensions 5191 or 5195, and we will send you a form.
   The Department of Human Resources submits this completed form to the College's workers' compensation insurance carrier and also provides a copy to DPS for other required reporting.
5. Not reporting your injury immediately or not following medical treatment and follow up as prescribed by the physician may give the workers' compensation carrier cause to deny your medical treatment. In this case the College will not be responsible for related medical charges.
6. Eligibility for coverage by workers' compensation of an employee's accident or injury is determined by the insurance carrier in conjunction with the State of Louisiana. All requirements for eligibility for coverage, including drug testing, will apply. Employees declining to participate in drug testing will be presumed to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and their claim may be denied by the insurance carrier.