Safety and Risk Management

Montana State University
P.O. Box 170510
1160 Research Drive
Bozeman, MT 59717-0510

Tel: (406) 994-2711
Fax: (406) 994-7040

Brenda Mowers

Insurance & Workers' Compensation Manager
(406) 994-6888
bkm@montana.edu

• First Report of Injury and Occupational Disease
• Foreign Travel
• MSU Occupational Accident or Illness Lost Time Report
• Time Tracking Form

Employees of Montana State University-Bozeman, Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension Service and Fire Service Training School are covered by Workers' Compensation insurance coverage.   Workers' Compensation pays for medical treatment costs and provides employees with wage loss benefits in case of job-related injury or illness.  This coverage is provided at no cost to employees.

Workers' Compensation is a no-fault system focusing on recovering an employees health and returning to work, rather than trying to establish legal fault for the injury. If you have a job related injury or illness, workers' compensation pays for medical and rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages if you are out of work.

What to do in case of an injury or illness

If you are injured or become ill on the job, immediately report the problem to your supervisor.  You and your supervisor must complete the first report of injury. The form is to be completed and forwarded to the Safety & Risk Management office within 24 hours of the accident or illness.  Contact Workers' Compensation Coordinator at 994-6888 with any questions.  In the event of a serious injury requiring hospitalization or fatality notify Safety & Risk Management  immediately.

Explain the cause of the accident or illness as thoroughly as possible. Additional information may be added as it becomes available, however this report should be completed as soon as possible.

Early reporting of all workplace injuries often holds down workers' compensation costs and provides coordination of a medical care plan for appropriate and efficient medical services to the injured worker. It also allows for quick investigation of accidents to solve problems at their most critical stage.

When seeing a health professional regarding a work injury or illness, be sure to inform the billing person of this fact, so that billing will be directed to the MSU Workers' Compensation carrier. Also, ask your health professional to complete a Work Status Report, which you can obtain by calling 994-6888.

If your injury or illness keeps you out of work:

1. Stay in touch with your supervisor and with Safety & Risk Management, Workers' Compensation Coordinator (994-6888).
2. Complete and return weekly the MSU Lost Time Report. The completed form should be forwarded to Safety & Risk Management, Workers' Compensation Coordinator.
3. If you have questions or problems regarding treatment or benefits, call Safety & Risk Management, Workers' Compensation Coordinator and let us assist you in understanding or correcting the problem.
4. Montana Code Annotated: 39-71-736. Compensation -- from what date paid. (1) (a) Compensation may not be paid for the first 32 hours or 4 days' loss of wages, whichever is less, that the claimant is totally disabled and unable to work due to an injury. A claimant is eligible for compensation starting with the 5th day.

Remember, when you are out of work, a lot of people care about your progress.  MSU has a big investment in you and your training, cares about your well-being, and wants you to recover and return to your job as soon as possible. Follow safety procedures to prevent accidents on the job.

If you do have a work-related injury or illness, report it immediately, and complete the First Report of Injury

Let the health care provider know if your injury or illness is work related.

Maintain all records and correspondence.  You will be assigned a claim number.

Report all time away from work due to an injury or illness using the MSU Occupational Accident or Illness Lost Time Report.

Follow all directions prescribed by your health care provider.
Try to keep a good attitude.  Research shows that your emotions play a big role in your recovery.

Benefits may not be paid to an employee who:

• willfully hurts themselves
• acts in a premeditated way to cause injury
• started a fight with a co-worker
• intentionally violated safety rules
• became intoxicated or impaired by drug use
• in non-complient with Workers' Compensation laws and procedures.

For any additional information contact Safety & Risk Management, Workers' Compensation Coordinator at 994-6888

Don't close your eyes to other people's fraud.  If you feel someone is abusing the system, contact:

Department of Labor & Industry
PO Box 8011
Helena MT
59604-8011

Tel: (406) 444-6543
Web: http://dli.mt.gov/