Unfortunately, our members get hurt at work sometimes. The actions you take immediately after getting hurt can have a lasting impact on your recovery benefits. Of course, if you have a serious medical consequence, go get the medical care you need. But whether or not you need immediate medical care, it is important for you to complete a "First Report Injury Form" as soon as possible. It is extremely important that you complete this form within 48 hours of the incident (sooner the better).
It is very important for you to clearly state on the form, how you were hurt. Under the section "What was the injured doing when injured" do not simply write "I was hurt by a student." If the student hit you or pushed you or kicked you, make sure you put that in there. Be specfic. For example, "I was hurt when a student kicked me;" "I was hurt when a student punched me;" "I was hurt when I accidentally fell down the stairs."
After you complete the form, take out your phone and take a picture of the completed form for your records.
Occationally, the school secretary, principal, or someone from the district will hand you a list of medical providers (clinics, doctors, etc). It is important to remember that YOU CAN GO TO YOUR OWN DOCTOR. You are not required to go to the School Board's doctor for treatment when you are injured at work. They can require you to go to their doctor for an examination, but you go to your own doctor first. In fact, we recommend that you go to your own health care provider for treatment as opposed to the School Board's doctor(s). If you don't have one, you can go to an urgent care facility or get a recommendation from your friends and family.
After the initial treatment and paperwork, what are your rights? It depends on how you are injured, which is why it's important to be specific on your First Report of Injury Form. There's three different types of workplace injury:
- Accidental: i.e. you tripped on a banana peel or due to your own clumsiness
- Workers' compensation applies
- You will get reimbursement/payment of all your medical bills
- You will get reimbursement/payment of all your over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, any prosthetic devices and transportation to-and-from the doctor.
- Assault: you've been struck, battered or threatened by a student, parent, or any other person at work.
- You get workers' compensation AND your full salary until your disability ceases to exist.
- You will get reimbursement/payment of all your medical bills
- You will get reimbursement/payment of all your over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, any prosthetic devices and transportation to-and-from the doctor.
- You were injured because of physical contact with a student while protecting them from the risk of injury (i.e. fight breaks out)
- If you're a teacher you get full salary up to one year.
- If you're a school employee you get full salary up to 90 days.
- You will get reimbursement/payment of all your medical bills
- You will get reimbursement/payment of all your over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, any prosthetic devices and transportation to-and-from the doctor.