Workers Compensation Frequently Asked Questions

Should I see my primary care physician even though medical care will be covered through workers' compensation?

We recommend that you always see your primary care physician, particularly before seeing a specialist. Going to your regular doctor ensures coverage if for some reason your workers' compensation claim is not accepted.

If I use my sick leave to supplement my time loss payments during the time I have an open workers' comp. claim, what happens when my sick leave runs out?

When your sick leave or vacation days have been depleted, you will no longer receive a check from the school district to supplement the time loss payments you receive from the workers' comp. insurance carrier.

Remember though, that your sick leave is being credited back when you receive time-loss payments. To better understand how this works review the hourly or salaried employee examples.

Do I have to use my sick leave if I am receiving time loss payments? In other words, what if I don't want to receive a check from the District and prefer to receive only the time loss payment?

The requirement that you use sick leave pay when receiving time loss payments depends on the employee group you belong to. For example, classified employees who have accumulated more than 30 days of sick leave, must use at least 30 days of their sick leave before thay can choose not to use any more during the time they have an active workers' comp. claim. (See article 13.1.12 in the classified contract.) For information about requirements to use sick leave pay during a workers' comp. claim, contact Diana McElhinney in the Workers' Comp. office at 687-3402 or mcelhinney_d@4j.lane.edu.

If I don't have any paid leave to use to supplement time loss payments, what is my situation?

To find out exactly what your individual situation is, call Payroll at 687-3191.

What happens if I'm working part time in a physician-approved work assignment?

In a case like this, you will receive a paycheck from the school district for the number of hours you actually work. In addition, you will receive a time loss payment from the District's workers' comp. insurance carrier for a percentage of the wages or salary you would have earned if you had been approved by your physician to work full time.