Overview
Learn about the California workers' compensation program.
What is workers' compensation?
Since 1913, California's workers’ compensation law has guaranteed prompt, automatic benefits to workers who become injured or ill because of their jobs. It is mandatory no-fault insurance, paid for entirely by your employer, that pays your medical expenses and helps replace lost wages when you are disabled from work because of a work-related injury or illness.
Who it covers
All UCSF employees are covered for workers’ compensation.
What it covers
Almost any job-related injury or illness, determined to be of work-related causation, are covered including:
- Simple first-aid incidents (such as needle sticks and blood-borne pathogen exposures)
- Serious accidents
- Physical and psychological injuries incurred by victims of violent workplace crime
- Repetitive strain injuries
There are some injuries that may not be covered depending on how they occur. For instance, injuries that result from voluntary, off-duty recreational, social, or athletic activities.
Want more information on the types of injuries covered or not covered by the workers’ compensation program? Contact UCSF workers’ compensation department for more information:
- Campus employees: 415-476-2621
- Health employees: [email protected]
How to report an injury
Immediately report to your supervisor any injury, no matter how slight.
You can also report your injury to the Workers’ Compensation Department or directly to the third-party administrator, Sedgwick, by calling 877-682-7778.
If your injury is more than a simple first-aid case, you will be sent a claim form (DWC 1), with instructions to complete the form and return it.
State law requires employers to authorize medical treatment within one working day of receiving the completed claim form from you.
If you delay reporting your injury or delay completing the claim form, it may result in a delay in receiving benefits. Too long a delay may even jeopardize your right to obtain benefits altogether.
Nondiscrimination
It is illegal for your employer to fire you or in any way discriminate against you because you file a claim, intend to file a claim, settle a claim, testify or intend to testify for another injured worker.
If it is found that UCSF discriminated, UCSF may be ordered to reinstate you to your job, reimburse you for lost wages and employment benefits, and pay increased workers’ compensation benefits, costs and expenses up to maximum amounts set by state law.