Preventing work place injuries is critical in maintaining a safe work environment. Even in the safest environments, injuries may still occur. The university is committed to maintaining a safe work environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. In the event of a workplace injury or illness, employees are covered by The Virginia Workers' Compensation Act if their claim is approved. 

Employees who are injured on the job should immediately report the injury to their supervisor, no matter how minor the injury may be. The supervisor will complete the Accident/Incident Report. If treatment is necessary, the employee must be treated by one of the Panel of Physicians approved by the university.

All claims for workers' compensation are reviewed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Workers' Compensation Services third-party administrator, MC Innovations (MCI), to determine if they are covered under the provisions of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act.

Although an employee may have been injured at work, a claim is considered compensable under workers' compensation laws in Virginia only if the injury occurred "by accident" and "was arising out of and in the course of employment." The injury or illness also must have happened suddenly and at a specific time.

Injuries generally not covered by the act include those caused by:

• Failure to use safety equipment
• Horseplay
• Misconduct
• Repetitive motion
• Stress

When an Accident/Incident Occurs:

1. See that the employee's immediate needs are met!  In the event of an emergency, call campus police to dispatch the rescue squad and/or take the injured person to the nearest hospital.
2. The employee must choose a physician listed on the Panel of Physicians form.
3. The supervisor and/or the employee completes the Accident/Incident Report.
4. The supervisor and/or the employee contacts a Human Resources Benefits Specialist, when the employee has an injury or illness that requires medical treatment by the physician.
5. If necessary, the employee seeks treatment from the chosen physician.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Two additional federal laws also may apply to employees who experience an occupational injury or disease; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

For more detailed information regarding Virginia Code for Workers’ Compensation benefits please visit the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission, contact a Human Resources Benefits Specialist or email benefits@jmu.edu.