Procedure: Workers'
Compensation - Reporting an Accident
These procedures are an excerpt from the Supervisor's Guide. The complete Guide is available at the Technical College, the Department's Central Personnel Office, or the website maintained by the Workers' Compensation Unit, of the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Risk Management Section.
"What should the supervisor do when an employee is injured on the job?
A supervisor should always take a productive role when an employee advises he or she has been injured on the job. The supervisor is the most effective person in the initial handling of the claim, as he or she is normally the only person with whom the injured employee communicates. We encourage supervisors to do the following:
- Take time to handle the injury
- Advise employee to seek treatment from a doctor on your agency's "Panel of Physicians" (If the employee needs emergency care, get them to the nearest emergency room immediately; all follow-up treatment must be rendered by a physician on the panel.)
- Take them to the Doctor
- Communicate with the Doctor regarding the physical requirements of the job by utilizing the Georgia Activity Analysis (GAA)
- Report the injury to 1-877-656-RISK as soon as possible but at least within 24 hours
- Remember that the Department of Administrative Services is your partner and communicate openly with your Workers' Compensation Specialist handling the claim
- Demonstrate your concern by communicating frequently with your injured employee during the recovery process (calls, cards, visits, invitations to agency events)
- Make every effort to return your employee to work ASAP through transitional employment (work closely with your agency's transitional employment team)
Report the injury if it involves medical care or loss of work time
All calls are answered by a Telephonic Reporting Vendor (TRV) who is experienced and specializes in handling First Reports of Injury. We anticipate you will find them knowledgeable, professional and most helpful throughout the reporting process.
Telephonic reporting instructions:
- Call toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-877-656-RISK (7475)
- Claims may only be reported by the supervisor or the person designated by the agency to report on-the-job injuries
- Employees cannot call in their own claims
In order for the Telephonic Reporting Specialist at The Network to serve you better, you will need to have the following information available when calling:
- Name, Address, Social Security Number, Age and Sex of Injured Employee
- Name of Employing Agency, Address and Telephone #
- Date, Time and Description of Accident (how, where, why)
- Part of Body Injured and Type of Injury (cut, scrape, burn, etc.)
- Hourly/Weekly/Monthly Wage
- Name and Address of Physician/Hospital
- Has Injured Employee Returned to Work?
Supervisors should call The Network to report injuries as soon as possible but at least within 24 hours of an accident. Reporting should be delayed only long enough for the supervisor to take the employee to the doctor.
Once a claim has been reported through The Network, any correction to the above information should be made by calling your dedicated Department of Administrative Services Workers' Compensation Specialist. A copy of the completed first report of injury will be faxed to both the number designated by your agency and your Department of Administrative Services Workers' Compensation Specialist within 24 hours of the report.
Reporting other injuries
Only injuries requiring medical care or lost time from work should be reported to the Telephonic Reporting Vendor. Injuries requiring only first aid or requiring no medical care or lost work time should be recorded in an Incident Report Form.
References
Approved - No review necessary