Worker’s Compensation

Overview

Employees of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) are covered under workers’ compensation insurance in the event of a workplace injury or illness. The Worker’s Compensation program is administered by the NSHE Risk Management Office.

The benefits provided under workers’ compensation vary depending on the nature of the claim. In most cases, benefits are awarded without regard to fault.

Under an accepted claim, medical benefits may include medical treatment, surgery, and prescriptions. Employees are required to seek medical treatment with an approved medical provider on NSHE’s provider list, unless it is an emergency.

Report injuries as soon as possible

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires the reporting of work-related injuries that result in an in-patient hospital admittance within 24 hours.

Injuries that result in emergency care are to be reported to the employee’s supervisor or appropriate departmental contact ASAP.
The employee’s supervisors or departmental contact will be responsible for notifying Risk Management risk@nshe.nevada.edu or their respective institution’s Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) department if the employee is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital so that appropriate action can be taken.

Injuries that result in emergency care are to be reported to the employee’s supervisor or appropriate departmental contact ASAP.

If during normal work hours, call the NSHE Risk Management Office: (775) 784-3406

If after-hours, call your institution’s EH&S department.

Workers’ Compensation Claim Filing Instructions

Seek Medical Treatment

If the injury/illness is life-threatening or severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If less severe, an employee injured should visit one of the preferred first-stop clinics listed at the bottom of this page. During the visit, the employee must:
- Inform the treating physician that the injury/illness is work-related.
- Ensure that a C-4 form is completed by the attending physician. The medical provider will submit a completed C-4 to the employer to initiate the workers’ compensation process.
- Request a doctor’s note (required) to support an absence from work under a workers’ compensation claim.
Report the Injury

All injuries, including incidents where an employee does not require medical treatment, must be reported by submitting a C-1 form within seven days from the day the incident occurred.
- Contact your supervisor immediately and report the injury.
- Complete the C-1 Notice of Injury Form and submit it to the NSHE Risk Management Department (risk@nshe.nevada.edu) as soon as possible.
- Review Nevada Division of Industrial Relations’ D-2 Brief Description of Your Rights and Benefits if You Are Injured on the Job.
If applicable, follow-up on medical care and light duty
- After each appointment with the treating physician, all medical certifications of work status (restrictions, full-duty release, etc.) must be submitted to the supervisor and the Risk Management department.
- Once notified of the availability of a modified-duty assignment, the employee must return to work on the date established by the department and/or Risk Management office.

Supervisor Responsibility

Employees must be informed of their rights and responsibilities in the event of a work-related injury. Employees have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim and to seek medical treatment from a worker’s compensation provider. As a supervisor, your role is to:

Assist the employee in obtaining the appropriate medical treatment
Review the C-1 Notice of Injury Form with the employee and forward it to the Risk Management team with the appropriate signatures.

See also: Nevada Division of Industrial Relations’ D-2 Brief Description of Your Rights and Benefits if You Are Injured on the Job.
Investigate the incident and complete the Supervisor’s Investigative Report within 48 hours. Submit to the Risk Management team with the appropriate signatures.
Determine the root cause of the incident.
Implement corrective action to abate or mitigate the hazard.
Review medical certification of work status provided by the employee after each medical visit.
Offer Modified Duty Assignment to the employee to accommodate temporary, light-duty restrictions (this will be coordinated by Worker’s Compensation). Complete the Modified Duty Assignment Form as indicated.
Update the Modified Duty Assignment as light-duty restrictions change.

NSHE Early Return to Work Program

The NSHE recognizes the need to support the recovery of employees should they suffer a work-related injury or develop an occupational disease. When an employee is temporarily unable to perform some or all the duties of their regular job because of such an injury or disease, it is well established that recovery is accelerated when the employee continues to work. Based on this principle, the NSHE strongly supports early return-to-work options for an employee eligible for such assistance.

Specifics of a Modified-Duty Assignment:

A modified-duty assignment cannot last longer than ninety calendar days, in most cases.

A modified-duty assignment must be substantially similar to the employee’s regular job in regard to location (within twenty-five miles of the regular position) and the hours (shift) worked.

While working in a modified-duty assignment, the employee receives the same base rate of pay received while working in his regular position.

A modified duty assignment in another department or at another campus does not constitute a transfer to that position.

The employee’s original appointing authority is responsible for an employee’s salary and benefits while the employee is working in a modified-duty assignment with another department or at another campus.

If a modified-duty assignment is provided in another department or at another campus, that department or campus shall report the hours worked to the employee’s original employing department.

If a modified duty assignment is provided in another department or at another campus, the original employing department remains responsible for personal issues.

Conditions for offering an Assignment

The employee is released to work, but the treating physician certifies that the employee is temporarily unable to perform some or all his/her regular job duties.

An appropriate modified-duty assignment is available.

A modified-duty assignment is not prohibited by the source that funds the employee’s regular position.

The appointment authority would otherwise employ the employee had they not incurred the work-related injury or disease.

The employee must have submitted a C-1 Notice Injury form.

The employee must have filed a Workers’ Compensation claim.

Conditions for Terminating an Assignment

Ninety calendar days elapse from the day the employee begins the modified-duty assignment. Under certain conditions, one ninety-day extension may be authorized.

The employee’s treating physician released him/her to return to his regular position.

The employee is given permanent restrictions that prevent a return to the regular position. A modified-duty assignment must be terminated within thirty days after the employee is given permanent restrictions.

The modified-duty assignment is no longer available, or other conditions require the department to terminate the assignment.

The employee’s claim for workers’ compensation is denied.

The employee terminates his/her employment or retires.

Conditions for Extending an Assignment for an Additional Ninety-Day Period

The employee remains unable to perform the duties of his/her regular position after the completion of a ninety-day modified-duty assignment but is performing at least 51 percent of regular duties.

After working in a modified-duty assignment, the employee returns to work at his regular position but again becomes temporarily unable to perform the duties of the position.

The NSHE’s workers compensation Third Party Administrator recommends the extension.

The NSHE workers compensation office approves an extension.

Department Responsibilities

Make employees aware of the early return-to-work process.

Assist the workers’ compensation office in identifying modified-duty- job tasks and special projects prior to the need to utilize modified-duty. Have employees participate in this process so they will be aware of the availability of modified-duty assignments.

Immediately notify the workers compensation office when an injured employee is unable to work or is given work restrictions that prevent the employee from performing some or all the duties of their regular job.

With the assistance of the workers compensation office and the employee, develop a modified-duty assignment when the employee has a temporary restriction.

Employee Responsibilities

After each appointment with the treating physician, any medical certification of work status (restrictions, full duty release, etc..) must be submitted to the supervisor and the workers’ compensation office. The medical certificate should be submitted no later than the beginning of the first workday after the doctor’s appointment but must be submitted within three working days.

Once notified of the availability of a modified-duty assignment. The employee must return to work on the date established by the department or campus.

Workers Compensation Office Responsibilities

Provide supervisors and employees with training regarding the early return-to-work process.

Review jobs in each department to identify essential functions and possible modified-duty assignments.

When an employee has temporary restrictions, assist the department and employee in identifying a modified duty assignment compatible with the employee’s restrictions.

Develop a written description of the modified duty assignment when needed and submit the description to the employee’s treating physician.

Confirm an offer of temporary modified duty in writing within 10 days after making the offer.

Once the treating physician’s approval is received, facilitate the employees immediate return to work.

Contact the employee and department at least once every thirty days during the period of a modified duty assignment.

If an assignment is not available in the employee’s department, assist in developing a modified duty assignment in another department or another campus.

The workers compensation office will first attempt to develop a modified duty assignment within the original employing department. If these efforts are unsuccessful, an attempt will be made to develop a modified duty assignment with another department at the same campus. Developing an assignment at another campus will always be the last option explored.

If an employee is unable to work, or if a modified-duty assignment is not available, maintain consistent contact with the employee and department or campus. Contact with each will be made at least once every two weeks.

Provide supervisors and employees with technical assistance and support regarding workers compensation issues.

Injured Employee Resources

Prescription first fill

If your injury requires a prescription, NSHE will help you get your prescriptions quickly and with no out-of-pocket expenses. You will receive a first-fill prescription card.
There are several pharmacies in the network, including CVS, Kroger, Safeway, Costco, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart and Walgreens.

My Care App

Download the free My Care App to your mobile device to connect with the claims team and have immediate access to the most frequently requested information.
You will have instant access to contacts, appointments, pharmacy cards, and any indemnity payments if applicable.
The My Care App is available on Google Play and on the Apple App Store. Search My Care – Corvel Corporation.
Once your claim is closed, you can delete the app from your device.

24/7 Nurse Line

If the injury is not a medical emergency, call the nurse line at 1-855-428-5138 to speak with a registered nurse who will evaluate your injury and help you with your immediate medical needs.
The nurse will ask you several questions to help determine the appropriate care for your injury.
Telehealth appointments may be available for your injury. You may also elect to see a local provider.