Workplace Injuries and Employee Compensation

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of an employee in ensuring the DWC-73 form is received by the APD Workers' Compensation office?

To ensure the form is received by the APD Workers' Compensation office no later than 24 hours after the initial treatment (correct)

To complete the DWC-73 form on their own without physician input

To obtain a copy of the completed DWC-73 form from their physician

To submit the form to their supervisor for review

What is the maximum amount of injury leave that sworn employees can receive per compensable injury or illness?

80 hours

1,040 hours

No limit, as long as they are eligible for wage continuation benefits

2,080 hours (correct)

What should employees do if they receive a subpoena directing them to appear in court while on a no-duty status?

Contact their supervisor for guidance

Ignore the subpoena and do not appear in court

Contact Risk Management for guidance (correct)

Contact the APD Workers' Compensation office for guidance

How often should employees on injury leave update their supervisor?

After each doctor appointment Signup and view all the answers

What should employees do if they are not cleared to return to work after an initial treatment?

Obtain a follow-up appointment date or return to work date Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the DWC-73 form?

To document the employee's injury or illness and provide a work status Signup and view all the answers

What should supervisors do when learning of a work-related injury or illness?

Ensure the necessary Workers' Compensation forms are completed Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum amount of injury leave that civilian employees can receive per compensable injury or illness?

80 hours Signup and view all the answers

What should employees do if they wish to take personal leave while on injury leave?

Contact Risk Management for instructions Signup and view all the answers

What should employees do if they are seen at a hospital ER and the attending physician will not complete the DWC-73?

Obtain all medical discharge paperwork Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe an employee's medical status when they can safely perform all of the essential functions of their job with no limitations or restrictions?

Full Duty Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of an employee failing to report an on-duty injury or illness within 24 hours?

The employee will be ineligible for wage continuation benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Texas Workers' Compensation Work Status Report (DWC-73)?

To document the employee's injury or illness for reporting purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe an employee's medical status when they are unable to return to work due to a compensable injury or illness?

No Duty Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum time required for sworn employees to submit a request for an injury leave extension?

30 days prior to exhausting their 2,080 hours of injury leave Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of Extended Limited Duty status for non-probationary, sworn employees?

Up to 1,040 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the written report (DWC-73) from the employee's physician?

To indicate an anticipated date to return to work in a Limited Duty or Full Duty capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of reporting an on-duty injury or illness to the supervisor?

To initiate the workers' compensation claim process Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step that sworn employees can take after exhausting their 2,080 hours of injury leave?

Exhaust all available personal leave hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe an employee's leave status when they are unable to work due to a compensable injury or illness?

Injury Leave Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence for sworn employees who are still unable to return to work in a Limited Duty or Full Duty capacity after exhausting all available options?

Their employment with the Department will be terminated Signup and view all the answers

When is an employee considered to be on Full Duty status according to the City of Austin's policies?

When they do not seek medical attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum amount of injury leave that civilian employees are entitled to?

80 hours of injury leave Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the General Order 958.9 Restrictions While on Limited Duty and Extended Limited Duty?

To inform employees of the restrictions while on injury leave Signup and view all the answers

Who reviews the request for an injury leave extension and may forward it to City Council for approval?

The Chief Signup and view all the answers

What is the next step for sworn employees who have exhausted their injury leave extension, if granted?

Exhaust all available personal leave hours Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Compensable Injury/Illness

An injury or illness suffered by an employee in the course and scope of their employment as determined by the City of Austin's Third Party Administrator.
May include an injury or illness suffered during regular duty hours, authorized department overtime, or taking law enforcement action as a peace officer while off-duty.

Duty Status

Full Duty: A medical determination that an employee can safely perform all of the essential functions of their job with no limitations or restrictions.
Limited Duty: A medical designation that an employee may return to work with specific and detailed limitations or restrictions.
Extended Limited Duty: An extension of Limited Duty status for non-probationary, sworn employees who have been on Limited Duty in excess of a cumulative total of 1,040 hours as a result of an on-duty or off-duty injury or illness.
No Duty: A medical determination that an employee is unable to return to work.

Reporting On-Duty Injuries

Employees must report all injuries, illnesses, and vehicle crashes that occur on-duty or qualify as a compensable injury to their supervisor within 24 hours of the occurrence or prior to the start of their next shift.
Failure to report an injury, illness, or crash may result in the employee failing to qualify for wage continuation benefits.

Initial Medical Treatment

Employees must seek immediate medical attention when necessary and as required by the nature of the injury or illness.
The employee must have the attending physician complete a Texas Workers' Compensation Work Status Report (DWC-73) at the time of initial treatment.
The DWC-73 shall include information on whether the employee should be placed on a No Duty, Limited Duty, or Full Duty status, and any follow-up appointment dates or return to work dates.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors must ensure the completion of Workers' Compensation forms, including the Employer's First Report of Injury/Illness Form (DWC-1), Job Related Injury/Illness Supervisor Investigation Report, City of Austin Workers' Compensation Employee Letter of Rights, and Employees Request for Wage Continuation (WC-800).
Completed forms must be submitted to the APD Workers' Compensation Office within 24 hours.

Injury Leave Guidelines

Sworn employees: Up to 2,080 hours of injury leave per compensable injury or illness.
Civilian employees: Up to 80 hours of injury leave per compensable injury or illness that qualifies for wage continuation benefits.

Employee Responsibilities While on Injury Leave

Employees must attend all doctor appointments as scheduled by their physician.
Employees must obtain a copy of the completed Texas Workers' Compensation Work Status Report (DWC-73) for each doctor appointment and submit it to the APD Workers' Compensation Office within 24 hours.
Employees must update their supervisor after each doctor appointment.
Employees must be assigned to their residence and available Monday-Friday, 8am to 4pm, unless otherwise notified by Risk Management.

Exhaustion of Injury Leave

Sworn employees: Options after exhausting 2,080 hours of injury leave include submitting a written request to the Chief for an injury leave extension, exhausting personal leave hours, exhausting FMLA, submitting a written request for leave donations, or submitting a written request for a medical leave of absence.
Civilian employees: Options after exhausting 80 hours of injury leave include exhausting personal leave hours, exhausting FMLA, submitting a written request for leave donations, or submitting a written request for a medical leave of absence.

Restrictions While on Injury Leave

Employees on injury leave have the same restrictions as employees on Limited Duty.
Employees must comply with General Order 958.9 Restrictions While on Limited Duty and Extended Limited Duty.

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Description

Learn about compensable injuries and illnesses, including when they occur, and the concept of full duty in the context of employees' work and compensation.