How do I report an injury?
Any Laboratory employee who is injured or becomes ill as a result of a job-related condition or accident should report, as soon as possible, to the Health Services Department (HSD) and notify his/her work or payroll supervisor or Laboratory contact. HSD will diagnose the injury or illness and either provide treatment or assure that the proper treatment is provided by an off-site clinician.
Any non-Laboratory (i.e., Supplemental Labor, Subcontractors) employee who is injured or becomes ill as a result of a job-related condition shall report the injury or illness to his or her employer as soon as possible, so the worker can be taken to the company medical provider. The non-Laboratory employee must also notify his/her work supervisor or Laboratory contact, and HSD must be notified within one working day after learning of the possible work-related event at 1-925-424-4499.
I'm not sure if my injury is work-related. Should I report it anyway?
Yes. Discuss with your supervisor if you wish. But never hesitate to report what may be a work-related injury.
How do I obtain care for and report an injury that occurs after hours?
Call 911 (from a cell, 1-925-447-6880) to summon on-site paramedics for care during 2nd and 3rd shifts. But for minor injuries, if necessary, supervisors may transport employees to off-site medical facilities. Supervisors or co-workers may use a LLNS vehicle or personal vehicle (if necessary, LLNS covers liability) for this purpose. A list of local emergency care centers is provided below.
If a worker obtains medical care at any off-site facility, he or she must contact HSD immediately by calling 1-925-424-4499.
ValleyCare Health Systems
5555 W. Las Positas Blvd.
Pleasanton, CA 94588
1-925-847-3000
and
1111 E. Stanley Blvd.
Livermore, CA 94550
1-925-447-7000
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
1420 North Tracy Boulevard
Tracy, CA 95376-3497
1-209-835-1500
Kaiser Pleasanton
7601 Stoneridge Dr.
Pleasanton, CA, 94588
1-925-847-5100
What if I'm not sure if I've experienced an actual injury?
Often, employees experience mild symptoms due to work activities. For example, they may experience discomfort or fatigue stemming from repetitive work activities. In such cases, the employee's concern may be to avoid an injury rather than report an injury.
If so, employees should contact HSD's Early Intervention Program (EIP). The EIP provides individualized services to employees experiencing discomfort associated with work activities, whether or not the cause is work-related. A multi-disciplinary team of ergonomic specialists and medical professionals provide support to employees at the worksite. The goal is to intervene to help prevent the progression of discomfort to injury. Services may include:
- Assessment of ergonomic needs
- Individualized self-care instructions
- Worksite consultations with medical professionals
- Job task and work practice redesign
- Procurement of ergonomically suitable tools, equipment, and furniture
- Follow-up until discomfort is resolved or a recommendation for medical referral is made
For more information, call 2-ERGO or visit the EIP website.
What happens when I report an injury?
An HSD clinician will examine you, diagnose the injury or illness, and provide necessary treatment. You may be referred to an off-site specialist for consultation or supplemental medical evaluation and/or care. If it is determined to be a work-related injury, treatment will be provided until you reach maximum medical improvement.
Workers' Compensation -- A Workers' Compensation claim may be filed. Workers' Compensation is a State of California statutory insurance program that provides medical treatment and other benefits to employees who become injured or ill due to their employment activities. If you or HSD's treating clinician believe the injury or illness was caused by work activity, a workers' compensation claim will be filed with our claims administrator. HSD provides both immediate and on-going care for occupational injuries to Laboratory employees. The Workers' Compensation program is managed and directed by the Office of Risk Management in Staff Relations. Questions/concerns about the Workers' Compensation program may be directed to the Laboratory's Risk Manager, Gail Kiyomura at 1-925-423-7166. Questions about specific Workers' Compensation claims may be addressed to our claims administrator, Sedgwick Claim Management Services, at 1-925-598-6982. An online resource for information about Workers' Compensation can be found on the CA State Division of Workers Compensation website.
Safety Interview -- Additionally, your reported incident will prompt an investigation by your supervisor and an Industrial Safety Professional with the ES&H Team. The purpose of the interview is to determine how a similar incident can be avoided in the future. More information about the ES&H safety inquiry process can be obtained on the Management Assurance System Injury and Illness Reporting Webpage and the ES&H Injury & Illness website or by calling Prennie Pascual at 1-925-424-6663.
Will I get into trouble with my supervisor for reporting an injury?
No. California law prohibits discrimination against employees who file, intend to file, or settle a Workers' Compensation claim, or because they testify for a coworker who was injured. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits discrimination or harassment based on a person's physical or mental disability.
How do I know that medical information will be treated appropriately?
The Health Services Department is sanctioned to manage this information at the Laboratory in order to maximize employee confidentiality and ensure appropriate communication of work status to supervisors and departmental representatives. The Health Services Department's posted notice of privacy practices describes these procedures in detail. Medical information is safeguarded in HSD and not released to others without your written consent or as allowed by law. Information regarding medical restrictions, only as pertinent to your ability to perform your job, will be shared with your supervisor(s), your RTW liaison and a small number of other individuals on a need-to-know basis.
