Medical Services - Injury On Duty

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Questions and Answers

What must an employee do immediately after sustaining an injury while on duty?

Complete an Incident Report before notifying anyone.

Notify the department head within 48 hours.

Notify their supervisor or designee and the Worker’s Compensation Vendor. (correct)

Report to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

What is the consequence of not following the proper injury reporting procedures?

The employee will not be eligible for additional work-related benefits.

Employees may face disciplinary action from the department.

The incident will be overlooked and not recorded.

Employees will be held personally responsible for medical costs. (correct)

Which form needs to be completed for any work-related injury or illness?

Employee Medical Release Form.

Incident Report Form (OPD Form 189)

Motor Vehicle Accident Report (DR-Form-40)

NWCC Form 1, Investigation Report for Occupational Injury or Illness. (correct)

When should work comp forms be completed after an injury or illness occurs?

As soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours. Signup and view all the answers

If an officer is injured during a motor vehicle crash while on duty, which report must they be included in?

State of Nebraska’s Motor Vehicle Accident Report (DR-Form-40). Signup and view all the answers

What should an employee do if an Incident Report is needed following an assault?

Document the assault on the Incident Report and Booking Report, if applicable. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for sending the original work comp reports to the employee's immediate supervisor?

The injured employee. Signup and view all the answers

What additional report is not required if an employee is injured but did not experience an assault?

Incident Report (OPD Form 189). Signup and view all the answers

What must be done when more than one officer is assaulted?

A separate form must be completed for each officer. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for notifying the injured employee’s Captain when an employee is critically injured?

The injured employee's immediate supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

What form should be completed for police equipment damage?

OPD Equipment – Accountability Form. Signup and view all the answers

Before notifying an Emergency Contact of an injured employee, what must be obtained?

Consent from the injured employee, if conscious. Signup and view all the answers

In the case of major injuries, how is an Emergency Contact typically notified?

By a responsible officer in person. Signup and view all the answers

What should happen to medical care reports concerning the employee?

They shall not be forwarded due to HIPAA regulations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a duty of the Section/Precinct Captain after reviewing an employee's injury?

Review whether actions were within policy. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs if an employee's injury is not within policy?

A report is submitted to the Internal Affairs Unit. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if an employee with major injuries cannot use the phone?

Notification shall be made without obtaining consent. Signup and view all the answers

Who is NOT typically involved in the supervisory review process?

The injured employee’s Emergency Contact. Signup and view all the answers

If the Emergency Contact lives far away, what should be done?

Contact a local law enforcement agency to assist in notification. Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the notifications upon an employee's serious injury?

The name of the injured employee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a police Chaplain during the notification process?

To accompany a supervisor if necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What should employees do if they require urgent emergency medical attention?

Be transported to the nearest medical facility or trauma center. Signup and view all the answers

If an employee sustains a non-urgent medical emergency after hours, what should they do?

Contact WCV before seeking treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is required before an employee seeks treatment for a believed injury during physical therapy?

Notify their physical therapist immediately. Signup and view all the answers

What must be completed every time an employee is seen by a physician for a work-related injury?

A work status report. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Employee Resource Sergeant need to do when an employee is off work for more than two weeks?

Email the OPD Police Personnel Unit. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to specialty pays when an employee is not working due to injury?

They are temporarily deactivated. Signup and view all the answers

What should an employee do if they are released for Light Duty after an injury?

Contact the Employee Resource Sergeant for assignment. Signup and view all the answers

For an injury to be recognized as duty-connected, what must be adhered to?

The employee must follow reporting and notification procedures. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Worker’s Compensation provisions, who is responsible for contacting the Worker’s Compensation Coordinator after an injury?

The Employee Resource Sergeant. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of incidents are considered individually for duty-connected designation?

Environmental hazards like heat and foreign materials. Signup and view all the answers

In relation to additional benefits, which act is associated with the eligibility inquiries for officers?

Federal Employee's Compensation Act (FECA). Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of maintaining the employee’s medical file?

It must include a copy of each completed work status report. Signup and view all the answers

Who holds the responsibility to submit the completed work status report to the Worker’s Compensation?

The physician or their designee. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Omaha Police Department (OPD) Injury and Illness Procedures

Immediate Notification Required: Employees must immediately notify their supervisor or designee of any on-duty injury or illness, or inability to perform work duties due to illness, injury, medical/dental care, or contagious disease exposure. Failure to follow procedure may result in personal responsibility for medical costs.

Notification Procedures

Worker's Compensation Vendor (WCV) Contact: The injured employee, aided by their supervisor or the Employee Resources Sergeant, must immediately contact the City's contracted WCV, regardless of whether medical attention is required.
Injury/Illness Documentation: Complete required worker's compensation forms (NWCC Form 1, Investigation Report, Notice of Employee's Right to Choose a Doctor) within 24 hours of the incident.
- Forms should be scanned/emailed to the Employee Resources Sergeant at [email protected].
- Originals also forwarded to the employee's supervisor for review.
Incident Reports: An Incident Report (OPD Form 189) is typically not needed unless the injury involves assault, a separate crime, chemical agent exposure, or a motor vehicle crash.
Motor Vehicle Crashes: Injury reports from motor vehicle crashes are included in the State of Nebraska’s Motor Vehicle Accident Report (DR-Form-40).
Assault Reports: Assault/attempted assault injury reports are documented on the Incident Report (and Booking Report, if applicable) with the "victim type" listed as "law enforcement officer". Separate forms for each officer involved. Chief's Report (OPD Form 214) may also be required.
Police Equipment Damage: Complete an OPD Police Equipment – Accountability Form (OPD Form 24) when police equipment is damaged.

Injury Classification and Notification

Minor Injuries: Injured employee can notify individuals they choose; transportation may be provided to an Emergency Contact for treatment.
Major Injuries: Defined as injuries preventing telephone use. Consent obtained from the employee (if conscious and rational) before notification. Emergency Contact is notified.
Notification Methods: In-person notification (ideally by a Sergeant or higher rank, possibly with a Chaplain) is preferred when possible. Telephone calls are used when other arrangements are unfeasible. Non-emergency contacts are discouraged.

Supervisory Review

Document Review: The employee's Lieutenant or manager reviews all documents (reports, videos, etc.) to determine if actions were within policy. Recommendation shared via Inter-Office Communication with the respective Section/Precinct Captain.
Captain Review: The Section/Precinct Captain reviews the Inter-Office Communication and determines if the injuries were within policy.
- If not, policy violations are investigated (Internal Affairs or another investigation).
Case File Inclusion: The Inter-Office Communication is included in the employee's Worker's Compensation Case File. Crucial data points (employee name, injury date) are to be included.

Treatment and Responsibilities

Urgent Care: Injured employees needing immediate medical attention are transported to the nearest medical facility or trauma center (using the Rescue Squad, if needed).
Non-Urgent Care: Employees with non-urgent injuries must contact the WCV before treatment to determine appropriate facilities.
Physical Therapy/Work Hardening: Injuries during these activities are reported to the physical therapist and WCV.
Follow-up Treatment: Contact WCV prior to follow-up medical care.
Work Status Reports: Physician (or designee) to submit electronic work status reports to the WCV. Employee responsible to provide report to supervisor and Employee Resource Sergeant as well.
IOD Pay: Employee Resource Sergeant contacts City's Worker's Compensation Coordinator for approval to enter IOD pay. A physician's note is required to support IOD compensation.

Temporary Duty (IOD or Limited Duty)

More than 2 Weeks: Employee Resource Sergeant notifies the Police Personnel Unit (PPU) of status change. Applicable Contractual agreement considered.
Deactivated Pays: Specialty pay, premium pay, and shift differentials are deactivated during temporary duty status outside of work assignment. These are reinstated at return to duty.
Light Duty: Employees with Light Duty doctor's release will be considered for assignment with assistance from Employee Resource Sergeant.
Return to Regular Duty: Employees return to regular duty hours after IOD or Light Duty. Collective bargaining agreement, seniority and related factors are considered.

Environmental Injuries

Duty-Connected Issues: Heat reaction, foreign objects, and other environmental hazards are reviewed individually to determine duty connection based on the specific incident.
Legal Precedent (Crow vs. Americana): This considers if there was a heightened employment risk versus a general public risk. Relevant Nebraska Court determination impacting employment risk vs employment conditions.

Additional Benefits

Federal Employee's Compensation Act (FECA): Contact HR Department about eligibility for FECA benefits (5 USC 8101 et seq.).
Supplemental Insurance: Contact Personnel Unit (PPU) for Injury on Duty leave documentation and supplemental coverage.

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Description

This quiz covers the procedures that employees of the Omaha Police Department must follow in case of an on-duty injury or illness. It includes immediate notification requirements, documentation, and worker's compensation procedures. Understanding these protocols is essential to ensure compliance and safety.