Worker's Compensation Frequently Asked Questions
Key Information about Worker's Compensation
What does worker's compensation do for me? What are the benefits?
Worker's compensation pays:
- Approved medical expenses
- Weekly lost time benefits (known as TTD, which stands for temporary total disability)
- A one-time benefit based on a disability rating assigned by the doctor (known as PPD, which stands for permanent partial disability)
What should I do when I'm injured or get sick on the job?
Instructions for the FROI Form are available through the First Report of Injury website. When your supervisor submits it electronically, the FROI Form is sent automatically to JWF, the company that manages Purdue's worker's compensation program, and to Radiological and Environmental Management (REM) at Purdue.
You may not submit the injury report to JWF yourself. Your supervisor or your supervisor's designee is responsible for submitting the report.
How do I get treatment? Who pays for my treatment?
Under the guidelines set by the state of Indiana, the employer has the right to choose the attending physician for treatment of on-the-job injuries. Purdue has chosen to use "occupational medicine" providers for worker's compensation because this medical specialty focuses specifically on work-related injuries. The occupational health clinics understand worker's compensation and the paperwork needed for processing claims. If you need to see a specialist, the occupational health clinic will refer you.
Do not use your personal physician for a work-related injury. If you go to your own doctor, you will be responsible for all charges.
If you have been seen in the emergency room or urgent care, and have been told to follow up with your personal physician for your work-related injury, talk with JWF or the worker's compensation administrator in Human Resources to determine whom to see for your follow-up care. You should not use your personal doctor.
What if I'm off work? How do I get paid?
Worker's compensation pays 66⅔ percent of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $736.70 per week. Worker's compensation benefits are not taxed.
For the day of injury, you may have up to three entry types on your timecard.
- Regular hours worked
- "WC" time for the time spent at the doctor's office or clinic
- Sick time, if you are told not to work the remainder of the day
If you are off work under a doctor's order, or if you are off because your department cannot provide work within your restrictions, you may be entitled to worker's compensation benefits for lost wages.
Waiting Period – Worker's compensation has a seven-day waiting period for benefits. You will not be paid a worker's compensation benefit for the first seven calendar days you're off work. This seven-day waiting period does not include the day of injury. During the waiting period, you may use your sick leave to cover your lost wages.
On Day 8 of absence, the worker's compensation benefit begins. This is called TTD, which stands for temporary total disability. JWF will mail benefit checks to your home on a weekly basis.
You may supplement your TTD payments with sick time or vacation time, if you choose to do so. Let your business office know how you wish to handle this. Do not use the "WC" code on your timecard for lost time. Use this code only when you must leave work for medical appointments.
On Day 22, if you have purchased short term disability insurance, it will begin to supplement your TTD payments. Cigna will mail you a separate check for your short term disability benefit. You will need to contact Cigna to file an application for short term disability. Link to STD
If you are off work more than 21 days, JWF will send you a check to cover your initial seven-day waiting period. The University does not reimburse sick leave you may have used during the waiting period.
On Day 181 of disability, long term disability benefits begin for exempt employees.
If you have a temporary work restriction assigned by a physician, the return-to-work program seeks first to determine if you can return to your regular job. Sometimes this can be done with modifications to your regular duties. As an alternative, you may be assigned to different, but appropriate, tasks within your own department, at your regular pay.
If work cannot be found in your own area, an effort will be made to find duties you can perform in another work area, until you can return to your regular position.
You may turn down light duty work, but be aware that your worker's compensation and your lost time disability benefits will end if you do.
You should work with your supervisor to set up appointments at a mutually agreeable time. If your appointment with the doctor or physical therapist is during your regularly-scheduled work hours, you will be paid for that time. Use the "WC" code on your timecard.
The maximum "WC" allowance is as follows:
- Two hours for local area visit and/or treatment
- Four hours for visit and/or treatment requiring travel of 50 miles or more
You are not paid for medical treatment time occurring outside your scheduled work hours or taking place on your days off.
Winter Footwear Program FAQs
(For Operations and Maintenance (O&M) employees only)
Employees are allowed to purchase shoes every other year.