Department of Human Resources

Workers' Compensation

Overview

Florida Atlantic University is committed to providing a safe work environment and supporting employees who experience a work‑related injury or illness. Workers’ Compensation is a system of benefits established under Florida law and provided through the State of Florida that covers employees from their first day of employment. The program pays for all reasonable and necessary medical care when an employee is injured or develops an occupational disease as a result of job‑related conditions and may also provide partial wage replacement when an injury or illness results in disability for more than seven days.

Workers’ Compensation is administered by the Department of Human Resources through Employee Relations & Development, in coordination with the University’s workers’ compensation insurance program. These benefits apply to qualifying work‑related injuries or illnesses and operate separately from other leave programs, though they may be coordinated with applicable leave and return‑to‑work processes in accordance with University practice. Employees receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits may also be covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, when applicable.

All questions or concerns regarding Workers’ Compensation should be directed to  Employee Relations & Development.

Florida Atlantic University requires that all work‑related injuries and illnesses be reported promptly. Reporting requirements differ depending on whether medical treatment is required and, if so, whether the situation is an emergency.

Reporting a work‑related injury or illness is a shared responsibility for ensuring that injuries are reported correctly and in a timely manner.

Medical Emergency Injuries

A medical emergency includes any injury or illness that requires immediate medical attention.

Reporting Requirements:

  • Call 911 or transport the injured employee to the nearest medical facility for emergency care.
  • After emergency medical treatment has been arranged, the supervisor must report the incident to AmeriSys at 1‑800‑455‑2079 as soon as practicable.

Non‑Emergency Medical Injuries

A non‑emergency medical injury is one that requires medical treatment, but does not pose an immediate threat to life or health.

Reporting Requirements:

  • The supervisor or injured employee must call AmeriSys at 1‑800‑455‑2079 immediately and before seeking medical treatment.
  • AmeriSys will:
    • Assist in selecting an authorized medical provider from the AmeriSys Provider Directory, and
    • Arrange the medical appointment.

Follow‑Up Documentation:

  • AmeriSys will provide a First Notice of Injury to the Division of Risk Management and FAU’s Workers’ Compensation Coordinator.
  • The Workers’ Compensation Coordinator will:
    • Forward Workers’ Compensation information to the supervisor,
    • Send a Timekeeper’s Information Card to the Timekeeping Administrator, and
    • Provide an Injured Employee’s Information Card to the employee.

Following the reporting of injury to AmeriSys at 1-800-455-2079, the injured employee will receive in the mail from AmeriSys a copy of the First Notice of Injury and a booklet that provides an overview of the various services AmeriSys provides.

When a workers’ compensation claim is determined to be compensable under Florida law, employees may be eligible for:

  • Authorized medical treatment, including doctor visits, hospitalization, physical therapy, medical tests, and prescription medications
  • Wage replacement benefits when an employee is unable to work or earns less due to a work‑related injury or illness, subject to statutory waiting periods and limits
  • Permanent impairment, permanent total, or death benefits, when applicable, as defined by Florida law

Authorized medical care is provided through the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, and treatment must be received from approved providers. Employees are responsible for following medical guidance and maintaining communication with FAU, the carrier, and the authorized treating physician.

If the injury is approved by the provider, any leave time taken immediately after the injury and up to forty hours will be paid by the university as Administrative Leave, Job Connected Disability (except OPS). The forty hours can be used consecutively or intermittently such as through periodic visits to the doctor. The Administrative Leave, Job Connected Disability is processed by the Timekeeping Administrator for the department.

If the employee is certified by the attending physician as unable to return to work following the forty hours of paid administrative leave, the employee will begin to receive payments from the Division of Risk Management. The employee will receive 66 2/3 % of his/her average weekly wage. The employee may elect to use paid leave to supplement Workers' Compensation payments up to the employee's regular wages. The Department of Human Resources, Employee Development, sends this information to the employee, and the employee is responsible for completing the information regarding the number of hours of paid leave to be used each pay period. Employee Development will process the time input and adjustment for the employee until he/she returns to work.

When the employee has been released to return to work but needs to obtain follow-up care, personal leave time must be used.

The Department of Human Resources will send a Benefit Supplement Letter to the employee requesting the type of leave to be used in sufficient amounts to cover benefit insurance and/or to bring his/her salary to 100%. By authorizing the use of leave to supplement Workers' Compensation, premiums can be deducted for insurance from the FAU paycheck. If the employee chooses not to use accrued leave time, a personal check will be necessary to continue insurance premiums. If the employee chooses not to use paid leave or a personal check to pay for the benefits premiums, then the insurance will be canceled. Upon return to work, the employee has 31 days to be reinstated.

Note: Benefit payments cannot be deducted from the check generated from Risk Management. This check is sent directly to the injured employee. This check will not be sent by direct deposit.

Employees who experience a work‑related injury or illness must receive medical treatment from an AmeriSys‑authorized provider listed in the AmeriSys Provider Directory for their service area. Receiving treatment from a provider who is not part of the AmeriSys network may jeopardize eligibility for Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Work Status Documentation

After each medical appointment, the employee is required to:

The work status report documents the employee’s ability to work, any restrictions, and the anticipated return‑to‑work status.

Use of Leave

If a current work status report is not provided, time away from work will be charged against the employee’s own accrued leave balances.

All injured employees are entitled to Mileage Reimbursement provided by the Division of Risk Management, must be completed and returned to their offices to receive the reimbursement.

If you have any questions, please contact    Employee Relations & Development Division.