Reporting Workplace Injuries and Workers' Compensation
All employees of the university are protected while on duty by a Workers' Compensation Program administered by the State Accident Fund (SAF). Medical case management is provided by Compendium Services., Inc., through a contractual agreement with SAF. Workers' compensation claims are filed electronically by Compendium Services in response to the submission of a First Report of Injury.
Questions regarding the workers' compensation plan or reporting procedures should be directed to the Workers' Compensation Administrator workplaceinjuries@winthrop.edu.
When an injury or illness is determined by SAF to be work-related, the employee's medical expenses including prescription drugs and mileage for doctor's visits in excess of 10 miles per round-trip may be paid. An employee may also be eligible for temporary payroll benefits if they become disabled due to a work-related injury or illness and cannot work.
Any employee who sustains even a minor injury while on duty or develops a work-related illness must immediately report the injury or illness to their supervisor.
When medical treatment is needed, the supervisor must contact Compendium Services at 877/709-2667 to file a First Report of Injury and to receive authorization for treatment. All non-emergency medical treatment must be pre-approved by Compendium Services and is provided by:
Concentra Urgent Care
1393 Celanese Road
Rock Hill, SC 29732
803/329-3103
The injured worker must complete the Workplace Injury Report Form; the supervisor must also complete the Workplace Injury Report Form.
Employees should report all injuries and work-related illnesses to their supervisor no matter how minor they may seem at the time. An employee who fails to report an injury or work-related illness may risk being denied benefits by SAF should medical treatment be needed at a later time.
In the event of a serious or life-threatening injury that requires immediate or emergency medical attention, call 911 for an emergency operator or call the Winthrop University Police Department at 803/323-3333. Compendium Services should be contacted as soon as the situation allows. The Workplace Injury Report Form must also be completed as the situation allows.
When an injured employee is transported to an emergency treatment facility for care, the supervisor or a designated university representative should accompany them to the facility and remain until the employee has been admitted or released.
The supervisor or designated representative should notify the treating facility that workers' compensation may be filed for the injured employee and provide the following insurance information, if needed:
For treatment authorization and case management:
Compendium Services, Inc.
Phone: 877/709-2667
Fax: 877/710-2667
For billing and payment information:
State Accident Fund
P.O. Box 102100
Columbia, SC 29221-5000
Phone: 800/521-6576
For verification of employment and insurance coverage:
Winthrop University
Environmental Health and Safety
Katharyne Tedford
Phone: 803/323-2392
Cell: 803/207-1052
Fax: 803/323-2426
tedfordk@winthrop.edu
Winthrop University
Human Resources
Phone: 803/323-2273
An employee who has received medical treatment for an injury or work-related illness may return to work only when presenting the supervisor (if out of work less than 3 consecutive days and not admitted to the hospital) or to Human Resources (if admitted to the hospital or out 3 consecutive days or more due to the injury) with a written authorization from the treating healthcare provider, indicating that employee is medically released to return to work and perform their job.
If the medical authorization includes restrictions as to work activities then Human Resources will evaluate the job situation and relevant medical information on an individual basis, in the context of the particular work circumstances, by engaging in an interactive process. This process will allow consideration of the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA) rights of the employee to be balanced with the impact on the job functions, to determine if the employee can return to work and perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodations, that do not created an undue hardship for Winthrop University.
