Worker's Compensation
The State Government Workers' Compensation Program is administered and managed by the Office of State Human Resources. The purpose of the program is to ensure that all eligible employees who experience a work-related injury or illness receive appropriate medical care and equitable benefits as provided under the Workers' Compensation Act and the State Human Resources Policy.
The State is a self-insured employer and has contracted with a Third Party Administrator (TPA) to handle the workers' compensation claims of most employees. The TPA is responsible for all compensation and medical bill payments through a workers' compensation fund established by State agencies and universities and administered by the Office of the State Controller, in cooperation with the Office of State Human Resources.
The State Government Workers’ Compensation Program (SGWCP) was established in 1985 and is administered in the Office of State Personnel. The purpose of the program is to provide benefits to employees who sustain job related injuries or contract occupational diseases during the course and scope of their employment. Benefits are in the form of compensation for medical expenses and lost work time due to injury or illness.
All employees of the university are covered by the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. Any employee who suffers an accidental injury in the course of employment or contracts an occupational disease within the meaning of the Workers’ Compensation Act is entitled to medical attention at the expense of the university. If applicable, the injured employee is also entitled to disability compensation, including a weekly compensation benefit for the time lost from work.
The North Carolina Industrial Commission established the rules and regulations under which the Workers’ Compensation Act is administered. Determination of liability and all bills for payment as a result of the injury will be processed according to these rules and regulations. In case where the university and the injured employee cannot agree on liability or compensation, the Commission will hold hearings.
All Workers’ Compensation claims are handled by a Third Party Administrator (TPA) which is contracted by the state. The TPA currently responsible for handling all WSSU claims is CorVel. The TPA is responsible for accepting or denying, processing, and monitoring claims. WSSU and CorVel try to provide the best possible medical care for injured employees to help them reach maximum medical improvement and return to work as soon as possible.
Disability: In accordance with the Workers’ Compensation Act, no compensation will be paid for the first seven (7) calendar days of disability resulting from a compensable injury. If the compensable injury results in a disability lasting more than 21 days, compensation will be paid from the date of disability.
An employee may use accumulated sick or vacation leave during the required waiting period to remain in a pay status before going on Workers’ Compensation leave and begin to draw weekly benefits. An employee may also take leave without pay before receiving Workers’ Compensation weekly benefits.
If unable to work after the seven-day waiting period, an employee will begin to receive sixty-six and two-third percent (66 2/3%) of their weekly average earning.
Continuation of Benefits: When you, as a State employee, are injured on the job or if you contract an occupational disease and are placed on workers’ compensation leave, you are taken off payroll and placed in a leave without pay – workers’ compensation leave status. While in this pay status there will be no deductions made from your workers’ compensation weekly benefits. If you have payroll deductions made from your regular pay such as credit union, loans, etc., it is your responsibility to take care of these deductions while on workers’ compensation leave. While on workers’ compensation leave you are eligible for continuation of the following benefits:
Vacation/Sick: You will continue to accumulate vacation and sick leave to be credited to your account for use upon return to work. If you do not return to work, vacation and sick leave accumulated during the first twelve months of workers’ compensation leave will be paid in a lump sum along with other unused vacation credit which was earned prior to the injury.
Hospitalization Insurance: While on workers’ compensation leave, you are in pay status and will continue coverage under the State’s health insurance program. The State will pay the portion of the monthly premium covered under the State health plan for employee only. You will be responsible for all premiums for any dependent coverage or additional costs applicable to their coverage.
Performance Increases: Upon reinstatement, your salary will be computed based on the last salary plus any legislative increase to which you are entitles. Any performance increases which would have been given to you had you been at work may also be included in the reinstatement salary, or it may be given on any payment date following reinstatement.
Longevity: While on workers’ compensation leave status you will continue to receive longevity credit and, if eligible shall receive annual payments.
Retirement Service Credit: As a member of the State Retirement System, you do not receive retirement service credits while out on workers’ compensation. You may purchase credits for the period of time out on approved leave of absence upon return. The Retirement System will provide a statement of the cost and a date by which purchase must be made by.
Other employment benefits: An employee state health insurance plan monthly contribution will be paid by the employer while on Workers’ Compensation leave. It is the employees responsible to continue his/her dependent coverage monthly contribution and it must be paid directly by the employee.
An employee will not receive retirement credits while on Workers’ Compensation leave. An employee who is a member of the retirement system may purchase credit for the period of time on an approved leave of absence.
If you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim, please email the Worker's Compensation Administrator at workerscomp@wssu.edu
Notify your supervisor immediately if you receive a work related injury, even if you do not require medical treatment. The supervisor has the responsibility of ensuring that the employee receives medical treatment immediately and notifying the university Workers' Compensation Administrator(s), or designee, as soon as possible in order to begin the process of administering the claim.
The responsibility for claiming compensation is the responsibility of the injured employee. All on-the-job injuries, regardless of severity, must be reported and recorded by your Workers’ Compensation administrator and Supervisor (or) Department Head immediately, in any event within the allotted time required. Delay in reporting job injuries may result in the loss of benefits (if any are due), or the employer may refuse compensation. North Carolina requires that these injuries be reported to the North Carolina Industrial Commission within five (5) days.
You are responsible to accept the immediate medical treatment provided by your employer.
- Once the treating physician is established, you cannot change treating physicians for the injury unless the employer approves a referral.
- Any absences from work related to the injury must be authorized by the treating physician.
- Winston-Salem State University requires that the employee incident report be completed by the employee and forwarded to the Workers’ Compensation Administrator immediately.
- The Supervisor must complete The Supervisor’s Accident Report Form (F19) immediately after an employee report a work-related injury or illness, and forward to Human Resources, along with Form 18 (which should be completed by the employee). The Supervisor or department head shall specify what corrective action are need or taken to prevent this accident from reoccurring.
When Winston-Salem State University employees have on-the-job accident or incident the employee shall go to one of the authorized Urgent Care Centers listed below. Each clinic may have their own unique hours of operation, waiting times, and service availability.
310 S Stratford Rd, Suite 120
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Employees are not authorized to go to their family physician or other medical personnel.
- In the event of a very serious accident that needs immediate special care, employees are taken to the nearest Hospital.
- Employees are expected to return to work after being treated by a Physician following a work related accident, unless instructed differently from the treating Physician. No leave will be charged to the employee on the day of injury or illness if instructed by the treating Physician not to return to work.
You can be a Hazard Hero!
A Hazard Hero is an employee who in the face of danger and/or when observing a hazard, displays courage and the will to self-sacrifice their time by taking action to remove or protect against the hazard by reporting their findings to their supervisor.
Slips, Trips and Falls in the office are the number one cause of office injuries – 50% on average. Nationally, 10% of all injuries are slips, trips, and falls.
Common causes of slips, trips and falls:
- Obstructed views/carrying objects
- Clutter/obstruction left in pathway
- Improper footwear
- Running/rushing
- Surfaces – uneven, wet, slippery
- Steps – poor lighting – not using handrail
- Distraction – talking on cell phones
- Reading text messages and listening to iPods
- Falls from ladders, stools, desk, chairs and other object
- Trip over open desk drawers and file cabinet drawers
By taking a proactive approach, employees can help prevent accidents and injuries from occurring and protect themselves and their co-workers. If an employee notices any unsafe condition please use the Hazard Hero form. Be sure to have your supervisors email address so the reports will go directly to them.
Who should I contact if I’m involved in an incident or accident on the job?
Immediately following an incident/accident, you should contact your supervisor, or the Workers’ Compensation Administrator:
(A) Workers’ Compensation Administrator:
workerscomp@wssu.edu
(B) Direct Supervisor
What’s the difference between an incident & an accident?
An incident is a “near miss” where you did not receive injury and no medical treatment is required. An accident results in minor or major injury and does require treatment.
Where do I go for treatment of a Workers’ Comp accident?
310 S Stratford Rd, Suite 120
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Only in the event of an emergency, use the closest hospital emergency room, such as Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center or Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Can I visit my personal doctor/physician for treatment of a work related accident?
For work related injuries, treatment authorization includes ONLY the authorized physicians/locations noted above. Employees are not authorized to go to their family physician or other medical personnel.
What Pharmacies can I use?
Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid. A more extensive list can be found on the "WC Authorization | Physician’s Report | Pharmacy Guide" document linked below.
