Workers’ Compensation Committee Report
February 2005
Dear Brother and Sisters,
When Injured on the Job….. Report, Report, Report!
Always report to your supervisor and the plant hospital. Waiting to see if the injury is serious will lead to questions about late reporting and if the injury happened at work.
Michigan law requires a report of injury within 90 days of you first knowing of the injury or work-related illness. Reporting means getting a written if possible record on file. Filling our an Ergonomic Report noting an injury you have had in the past is not considered reporting. A visit (or several visits) to the plant hospital is your best record when Workers’ Compensation is needed.
Often people are reluctant to go to the plant hospital, but the Workers’ Compensation Act requires a worker to allow management to direct treatment for the first ten days.
· If you go to your own doctor in the first ten day period, management will not be required to pay for the cost of the visit.
· After ten days, you must notify management of your intentions to be treated by your choice of doctor.
Often, Plant Medical can get appointments with a specialist faster than your personal doctor can, and there will be fewer problems when questions of workers’ compensation come up.
On the back of this page is a comparison between Workers’ Compensation and Sick and Accident benefits. We hope this information will answer a few questions we encounter.
If you have questions, please call or visit the union hall on Wednesday’s, as one of the committee members will be there to assist you.
Respectfully submitted,
Local 730 Workers’ Compensation Committee
Dallas Dean, Chair
Melvin Matthews, Denise DeBoer, and Bill Keysor
DD:jmb/opeiu459/wcrepfeb05
COMPARISON OF:
Rate of Benefit:
Length of time benefits last:
Taxable:
Reduced by other benefits:
Effected by Social Security Disability:
Contractual Language:
Pension Credit:
Total and Permanent Disability:
Vacation Pay:
Expenses for Treatment:
Medical Care Cost:
Vocational Rehabilitation:
Additional Pay for Dependents:
Return to Work Actions:
Denial of Benefits:
Loss of Benefits if Person Has Less Than 10 Years Seniority:
Specific Loss:
WORKERS COMPENSATION
Based on the average of the highest 39 of the previous 52 weeks.
As long as disability lasts. Will be reduced by 50% at age 65
No
Not under GM Agreement
SSDIB is added to W/C based on a formula that allows most people to collect both.
Calls for no reduction of W/C UAW-GM Agreement
Continue as though working.
Can receive in addition to W/C.
Full vacation is paid if the person works one pay period in a year.
37.5 Cents per mile round trip. Allowance for meals.
All costs will be paid by management for work-related care.
One year plus one year if granted by mediator includes college.
Yes, subject to a maximum of $689 per week (2005).
If now earning less than average before injury, will be paid 80% of the after tax difference up to the maximum of benefit.
Can lead to a trial under a Workers’ Compensation Law.
Loss of benefits not related to injury. W/C benefits will continue as will medical related to injury.
Loss of a body part will require payment for a set number of weeks. (finger, foot, arm, etc.)
AND SICK AND ACCIDENT
Set by table based on base hourly rate.
52 Weeks then Extended Disability Benefits start.
Yes
Yes, dollar for dollar.
EDB is reduced dollar-for-dollar.
Requires reduction dollar-for-dollar for other benefits.
Stops after 1.9 years maximum.
Will be deducted from EDB.
Must get 13 weeks in to get half and 26 weeks to get full.
No expenses paid.
Co-pay under Priority,or all doctor visits will be the employee’s responsibility.
Physical therapy under medical insurance.
No.
No replacement of lost wages. If restrictions are given, may be denied overtime.
Can be appealed under the contract to the Benefit’s Department.
At the loss of time-for-time, all benefits including S&A and Medical will end.
Non-work related S&A paid for time off only.