Program

Caltech is obligated by California law to provide workers' compensation coverage to its employees. Workers' compensation laws are designed to protect employees and their families from the financial consequences of injury, illness, or death arising out of and in the course of their employment.

Caltech provides workers' compensation coverage to all Institute employees (including students on the payroll), pre-approved volunteers, and professors emeriti.


Benefits

The following benefits are provided to employees for an injury, illness, or death arising out of and in the course of their employment.

Medical Treatment

Treatment is provided to an employee which includes medical, surgical, and hospital care, medicine, medical supplies, and other reasonable expenses such as transportation costs.

Temporary Disability Payments

Compensation is paid to an employee while unable to work.

Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits

Employees injured on or after January 1, 2004, who are permanently unable to do their usual job and are not offered permanent or alternative modified work may qualify for Supplemental Job Displacement benefit. This benefit is in the form of a voucher that agrees to pay for educational retraining or skill enhancement, or both, at state-approved or state-accredited schools.

Permanent Disability Payments

Compensation is paid to an employee who has sustained a permanent medical disability.

Death Benefits

Compensation is paid to the surviving dependents of an employee.

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Pre-Designated Physician

In order to be treated by a doctor of the employee's choice, the employee must submit a physician designation form to the Disability and Leave Administration Unit prior to an injury or illness occurring.


Treatment of Injuries

For emergencies, major or serious injuries, call the Security department at extension 5000, for paramedic service.

For first-aid injuries, administer first-aid treatment using the department first-aid kit.

For injuries requiring more than first aid treatment, contact the Workers' Compensation Administrator at extension 4577 so that authorization can be coordinated with the appropriate medical facility.

For work-related injuries occurring after hours, holidays or weekends, either go to Huntington Memorial Hospital Emergency Room (entrance on Fairmount Avenue between Congress Street and California Boulevard in Pasadena; open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week); or go to the nearest emergency room.

The employee is responsible for supplying a medical certification (doctor's note) to their supervisor after every doctor appointment. A copy of each doctor's note should be sent to the Worker's Compensation Administrator at mail code 168-84.

Transportation of Injured Workers

The injured employee can transport him/herself to the occupational doctor if able. If the injury is serious enough to seek medical treatment and the employee is not able to transport himself or herself to the occupational doctor, cab service or paramedics will be provided at no charge. The Security department at extension 4701 will arrange for cab service for non-emergencies. The Security department at extension 5000 will contact paramedics for emergencies. Caltech discourages supervisors and co-workers from transporting injured employees due to liability issues.

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Modified Duties

A doctor may release an employee to return to work with restrictions. The department will provide reasonable accommodations, if possible, which will allow the employee to return to work. If the Institute is unable to provide the necessary accommodations, the employee will be placed on temporary disability. Supervisors must work closely with the Disability and Leave Administration Unit to determine whether it is possible to accommodate the employee. 


Medical Leave of Absence

Medical leaves of absence are subject to the conditions set forth in the Institute's Personnel Memoranda and Administrative Procedures.

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Injury Reporting Requirements

Employee is required to notify his/her supervisor of any injury beyond first aid immediately. In case of emergency, contact Security at extension 5000.

Supervisor or Managers should verbally notify the Workers' Compensation Administrator of the injury as soon as possible, but at least within 24 hours, at extension 4577, of any injury beyond first aid. Once notified, an Employee Claim Form for Worker's Compensation Benefits and an Employee Accident Report Form will be mailed to the injured employee. The employee will complete his/her portion of the forms and return them to mail code 168-84 within three working days of receipt of the forms.

The supervisor will investigate the incident and fill out a Supervisor Accident Investigation Report, and mail to mail code 168-84 within three working days after the incident.

Additional Information Resources

Caltech's Environmental, Health & Safety Web Site

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