Division of Risk Management and Insurance Services
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Workers' Compensation
The workers' compensation program in lausd offers state-mandated benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses without fault. Being self-insured, Lausd covers the actual costs of claims instead of using an insurance company. A third-party administrator is hired to handle workers' compensation claims on behalf of the district.
The workers' compensation department is dedicated to providing timely and compassionate support to lausd employees affected by work-related injuries or illnesses. Our commitment involves delivering exceptional care and aiding in their recovery with honesty, transparency, and fairness under the workers’ compensation legislation. By promoting effective communication and collaboration, we aim to assist our employees in their recovery process. Our primary objective is to cultivate a supportive environment where employees can return to work motivated and productive, ensuring the success of our students and the lausd community.
Please send your inquiry or request via e-mail to workerscompensation@lausd.net, or contact the workers’ compensation claims processing specialist assigned to your region (refer to the idm contact list).
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Can I speak to an investigator who contacts our worksite to request an interview of all witnesses and identified pertinent information?
Yes, if the investigator presents an introductory letter signed by the District’s Workers’ Compensation Manager to complete the investigation. Sedgwick manages Workers’ Compensation claims on behalf of the District. Sedgwick is required to review each claim to determine eligibility for benefits based on the facts of the loss. Sedgwick utilizes G4S, an investigation firm, to assist in this review. Sedgwick assigns a G4S representative assigned to conduct this confidential review and gather additional information about the employee’s injury.
G4S representative can interview all witnesses identified to have pertinent information regarding this employee’s injury. G4S is not authorized to interview any students.
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If you are off work for an accepted work-related injury, how will you get paid?
The workers' compensation benefits are paid by the Third-Party Administrator and Payroll for regular employees. If you are a regular employee, for the first 60 days you will receive your full salary instead of temporary total disability benefits.
Temporary total disability is paid by the Third-Party Administrator at two-thirds of the gross (pre-tax) wages you lose while you are recovering from a job injury. However, you cannot receive more than the maximum weekly amount set by law. Your wages are calculated using all forms of income you receive from work and any secondary job. The Third-Party Administrator will consider all forms of income when calculating your temporary total disability benefits.
Education Code Benefits:
You are entitled to receive your 1/3 of wages using your illness time as a supplement Educational Code benefits with your temporary total disability benefits not to exceed your normal wages. Once the illness time are exhausted or expired, you will only receive temporary total disability benefits. -
If you are off work for a work-related injury, how much will you get paid?
The temporary disability rate is 2/3 of your salary up to statutory maximums. If you are a regular employee, you will receive your full salary in lieu of temporary disability benefits for the first 60 days. Thereafter your temporary disability benefit will be supplemented from your illness and vacation bank.
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What if a doctor refuses to sign the Pre-Designation Form?
The doctor must agree to be pre-designated. He does not necessarily have to sign the form, but if he has not then, at the time of the injury, it is the injured workers' burden to show that he had previously agreed to be pre-designated. This could take time, so having the doctor sign the form is a way to expedite treatment when an injury occurs.
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Why is your illness being used and after they are used, do you get the hours restored to your illness time?
Per the Educational Code, you are entitled to receive supplemental benefits along with your temporary total disability benefits per the Labor Code, not to exceed your regular wages. Once the illness time is exhausted or expired, you will receive only temporary total disabilities per the Labor Code. Your illness hours will not be restored.
You can review your entitlement per the Labor Code 4656, the Education Code 44043, and your Collective Bargaining Agreements.
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When I am injured at work, who do I advise of my injury?
Please contact your administrator, manager or supervisor and report the injury immediately.
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Is my work site allowed to contact me after I acquire legal representation (an attorney)?
Yes, your employer is allowed to contact you to discuss employment-related issues, such as your ability to return to work, or the need to file for leave. However, your employer cannot discuss your workers' compensation claim with you.
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Does an injured employee have to be 100% recovered prior to returning to work?
No, an injured employee is encouraged to return to work as soon as possible. If the employee is not able to perform all aspects of their job, then a modified or alternative work assignment should be considered. Work restrictions, if any, will be determined by the treating physician.
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If a school volunteer is injured at work, are they covered under worker's compensation?
The District provides workers’ compensation coverage for volunteers who were certified by the Parent Community Services Branch (PCSB). As part of the registration process, the volunteer will receive a volunteer ID card.
If you need to confirm that a volunteer was certified by the PCSB, please contact them at (213) 481-3350 to verify the registration and approval of the volunteer.
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After my injury is reported to the Third-Party Administrator, how do I contact my claims examiner with the Third-Party Administrator?
Sedgwick
P.O. Box 14623
Lexington, KY 40512-4623
(866) 247-2287 -
Where can you go for medical treatment for your work-related stress injury?
The District uses a Medical Provider Network (MPN). When reporting the claim, you can talk to a registered nurse to discuss the need for medical treatment and direct and schedule a medical appointment for you. If you do not want to speak with a nurse, you can select a medical provider through the Medical Provider Network.
Please review the Medical Panel List or the Medical Provider Network website.
The medical provider will determine the follow-up treatment and if a specialist is necessary.
The claims examiner will determine if the medical treatment will be authorized.
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Should medical appointments related to claims be scheduled during work hours?
Medical appointments for a workers' compensation injury should be scheduled during non-work hours, whenever possible. If appointments must be scheduled during work hours, they should be scheduled to have the least amount of impact on the work site (either early or late in the day).
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You may be entitled to 60 days of Salary Continuation if you attend a medical appointment.
If you need to attend a medical appointment with an authorized doctor, you may be entitled to salary continuation. You are required to complete the salary continuation form each time you miss work for a medical appointment to treat your work-related injury. (See the Salary Continuation Authorization form). Efforts should be made to schedule medical appointments in a manner as to avoid as much as possible, disruption to the District's operation. You may be entitled to up to 60 days of salary continuation for each date of injury/workers' compensation that is accepted.
Once the 60 days of salary continuation is exhausted, your illness time will be used for any time taken off work for medical appointments.
Please refer to your union contract for further information.
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Should I report a claim that I think is suspicious?
Yes. An employer is required to report any work-related injury that is reported to them. Sedgwick will determine whether to accept or deny a claim. Sedgwick has 90 days from the date of the employer's knowledge of the injury to make a decision. Delays in reporting suspicious claims will decrease the time Sedgwick has to investigate.
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Is it ever permissible for an employee to work elsewhere while they are off of work at the District due to a worker's compensation injury?
If an employee has work restrictions that prevent him or her from performing his or her District job, but does not prevent them from performing different duties from a second job, then said employee is permitted to work the second job, as long as the income from the second job is reported to their Sedgwick adjuster so that their benefits are adjusted accordingly.