Workplace Injury Compensation Process

Case Management and Compensation

• Employee assigned a Case Management Nurse from the State Accident Fund (SAF)/CompEndium for work-related injuries.
• HR/Payroll responsible for completing Workers' Compensation (WCC) Form 20.
• If deemed unable to work by authorized physician, employee receives 66 2/3% of their salary from SAF; processing may take up to 20 days.
• HR must be advised of any changes in compensation during this process.

FMLA and Communication

• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applicable after the employee's third absence, if relevant.
• Injured employee must contact their Battalion Chief (BC) and HR weekly for updates and to maintain engagement with their nurse case manager.

Light Duty and Return to Work

• Eligibility for Light Duty determined by the Fire Chief and HR.
• A Return-to-Work Authorization, whether for full or modified/light duty, requires a signature from the treating physician.
• Concentra must evaluate and provide final clearance for return to work.
• Employee informs HR and BC about their release and intention to return to full duty after Concentra's clearance.
• Completion of Re-Entry Requirements and Procedures is mandatory for the returning employee.
• Benefit payments continue to be the employee's responsibility during the recovery process.

Reporting and Documentation

• Work-related injuries/illnesses must be reported to HR within 24 hours.
• Employees need to relay all information directly to HR regarding Workers' Compensation; assume no other entity is communicating work-status or compensation.

Required Documentation for Work Injury

• STJFD Supervisor's Accident Investigation Report is necessary.
• Drug Screen Results should be collected.
• S.C. Workers' Compensation First Report of Injury Form 12A is required if applicable.
• STJFD Medical Treatment Refusal Form - Internal is needed if treatment is declined.
• All witness statements must be gathered individually and signed; statements should not be combined on single sheets/files or emails.

Important Contacts

• CompEndium phone number: (877) 709-2667 for case management inquiries.
• Lowcountry Drug Screen: Business Hours contact is (843) 747-3224; After Hours contact is (843) 793-8780.

This quiz covers the essential steps and responsibilities involved in managing workplace injury cases, including the role of CompEndium Case Management Nurses and the completion of the WCC Form 20 by HR/Payroll. Learn how compensation is calculated and the impact of FMLA on employee absences.