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Kootenai County
Worker's Compensation Program |
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What is Workers Compensation? |
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Workers'
Compensation is a no-fault program that provides benefits to employees
injured on the job or who develop a covered occupational disease. |
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How does Kootenai County provide Workers'
Compensation for its employees? |
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The
County has coverage through the Idaho State Insurance Fund. |
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If I'm injured on the job, where do I go for
medical care? |
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Except
in the case of a life or limb threatening injury, you must seek care services from: |
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Kootenai
Medical Center |
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Occupational
Medicine |
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2003
Lincoln Avenue, Suite 310 |
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Coeur
d'Alene, ID 83814 |
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(208)
666-3906 |
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Clinic
Hours: Monday 12:30 to 5:00; Wednesday 12:30 to 5:00 and Thursday 7:00 to
12:00. |
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Appointments
can be made if immediate care if not required. |
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The
alternative is to visit the Emergency Room. |
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For
emergency medical care, CALL 911 |
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Life
threatening emergencies are those situations when a life is in danger if
immediate treatment is not received. |
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What injuries or illnesses are covered? |
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Workers'
Compensation applies to accidental injuries or illnesses arising out of, and
in the course and scope of, employment. |
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Should I report an accident even if it is
minor? |
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YES.
Serious ailments can develop from minor injuries. |
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Minor
injuries which do not require medical treatment must be reported. A
"Supervisor's Accident Report" form must be completed and sent to
the HR/Risk Management Department even on minor injuries. |
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If injured, how do I claim medical benefits? |
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An
employee injured on the job should report the incident to their supervisor
immediately. |
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Within
72 hours of seeking medical treatment, a "Workers Compensation First
Report of Injury or Illness" form must be completed by the supervisor
and sent to the Legal Services/Risk Management Department. A claim cannot be
opened nor a claim number assigned by the State Insurance Fund until the form
is received. |
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Note:
Employees may lose their right to workers' compensation benefits if they fail
to report injuries promptly. |
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What about special medical procedures or
surgery? |
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Special
medical procedures such as MRI's, CT scans, physical therapy, chiropractic
sessions, or surgery or referral to a specialist normally require prior
approval from the State Insurance Fund. |
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What if I can't come back to my regular job
but I can return to light duty work? |
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The
employee must have a doctor’s written approval to return-to-work. Appropriate
work will be arranged for you as outlined in the Personnel Policy Manual. |
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How do I get paid if I have to be off work? |
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Income
benefits are payable to an injured worker if disabled from work more than
five (5) days. Benefits are payable from the sixth day following disability
unless the claimant is hospitalized overnight or the disability exceeds
fourteen (14) days. Under these conditions benefits are payable from the date
of disability. |
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The
amount of benefits depends on the worker's average weekly wage. For the first
52 weeks, it is 67% of the employee's average weekly wage. |
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Can I continue to receive my full salary from
State Insurance Fund? |
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No.
The IRS regulations provide that Workers' compensation not be subject to
federal taxes. Workers' Compensation is also not taxed by the State. |
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What are my rights to appeal? |
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You
are entitled to the appeals procedures provided by the State of Idaho
Industrial Commission. For more information call the Industrial Commission at
(208) 769-1452 or visit their website at http://www.iic.idaho.gov. |
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For
more information about Workers' Compensation benefits, you can visit State
Insurance Fund’s website at: http://www.idahosif.org
or please
contact the following County department: |
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HR/Risk
Management Department |
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Christina
Anderson |
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PO
Box 9000 |
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Coeur
d'Alene, ID 83816-9000 |
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Phone
(208) 446-1643 |