Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting Policy PDF

Policy Des Plaines Police Department 1019 Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting 1019.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance regarding the timely reporting of occupational diseases, mental health issues and work-related inju...

Policy Des Plaines Police Department 1019 Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting 1019.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance regarding the timely reporting of occupational diseases, mental health issues and work-related injuries. 1019.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Occupational disease or work-related injury or illness - Any accidental injury or disease arising out of and in the course of the employment or which has become aggravated and rendered disabling as a result of the exposure of the employment (820 ILCS 310/1(d)). 1019.2 POLICY The Des Plaines Police Department will address occupational diseases, applicable mental health issues and work-related injuries appropriately, and will comply with applicable state workers’ compensation requirements (820 ILCS 310/1 et seq.). 1019.3 TELEPHONIC INJURY TRIAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM The Telephonic Injury Triage Assessment Program offers an immediate telephonic medical evaluation by a qualified licensed professional of an injured employee following a reported work related incident as well as report generation. This program is designed to provide a more immediate response to employees who sustain a potential work related injury as well as assist operations personnel by generating valuable reports about the injury at the conclusion of each call. In addition to all reporting requirements noted above, the following shall take place: Upon notification of a potential work related injury, the supervisor will initiate a call to Medcor (1-800-775-5866) on behalf of the injured employee as soon as practical. The injured employee will detail any medical symptons or complaints which will be evaluated by a Registered Nurse (RN) specially trained to perform telephonic triage. The RN will recommend first aid self-treatment or refer the injured employee for an off-site medical evaluation. The RN will e-mail after-care instruction sheets to Human Resources for the injured employee at the conclusion of the call, which will summarize any recommended selftreatment protocol. For all injuries that are called to the service, standardized reports will be generated at the conclusion of the call that capture the most important information relative to the potential work related injury that was reported. For off-site medical evaluation referrals, the RN can send paperwork to the provider, if requested to do so at service startup. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/13, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Des Plaines Police Department Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting - 1 Des Plaines Police Department Des Plaines PD Policy Manual Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting 1019.4 SETTLEMENT OFFERS When a member sustains an occupational disease or work-related injury that is caused by another person and is subsequently contacted by that person, his/her agent, insurance company or attorney and offered a settlement, the member shall take no action other than to submit a written report of this contact to his/her supervisor as soon as possible. 1019.4.1 NO SETTLEMENT WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL No less than 10 days prior to accepting and finalizing the settlement of any third-party claim arising out of or related to an occupational disease or work-related injury, the member shall provide the Chief of Police with written notice of the proposed terms of such settlement. In no case shall the member accept a settlement without first providing written notice to the Chief of Police. The purpose of such notice is to permit the City to determine whether the offered settlement will affect any claim the City may have regarding payment for damage to equipment or reimbursement for wages against the person who caused the disease or injury, and to protect the City's right of subrogation, while ensuring that the member's right to receive compensation is not affected. 1019.5 OTHER DISEASE OR INJURY Diseases and injuries caused or occurring on-duty that do not qualify for workers’ compensation reporting shall be documented on the designated report of injury form, which shall be signed by a supervisor. A copy of the completed form shall be forwarded to the appropriate Deputy Chief through the chain of command and a copy sent to the Administrative Deputy Chief. Unless the injury is extremely minor, this report shall be signed by the affected member, indicating that he/she desired no medical attention at the time of the report. By signing, the member does not preclude his/her ability to later seek medical attention. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/02/13, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Des Plaines Police Department Occupational Disease and Work-Related Injury Reporting - 2