Minnesota Department of Transportation

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MnDOT Policies

Workers’ Compensation Injury Reporting and Return-to-Work

MnDOT Policy #WF012
Revised: September 11, 2020
Reviewed: October 8, 2024

View/print signed policy (PDF)

Workers' Compensation Injury Reporting and Return-to-Work Procedures

Please go to the MnDOT Org Chart to find specific contact information: Org Chart.

Responsible Senior Officer: Deputy Commissioner/Chief Administrative Officer
Policy Owner: Director, Office of Administration
Policy Contact: Workers' Compensation Program Manager

Policy statement

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) employees are required to report all work-related injuries or illnesses immediately and not later than 24 hours after the injury or illness.

When appropriate and in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements or compensation plans, a qualified employee may be placed into another job or job assignment. Each return-to-work situation must receive careful review on a case-by-case basis and must take into consideration the employee’s medical restrictions and workplace needs.

Reason for policy

For employees who are returning to work following a non-work-related injury or illness, see the MnDOT Return-to Work Policy.

Applicability

All MnDOT employees must comply with this policy.

Key stakeholders with responsibilities under this policy include:

  • All employees
  • Managers/Supervisors
  • Office of Human Resources
  • Office of Equity and Diversity
  • Workers’ Compensation Coordinators
  • MnDOT Office of Administration

Definitions

Designee

For the purpose of reporting a work-related injury or illness, the individual selected to act on behalf of the supervisor when the supervisor is absent.

Medical Restrictions

Detailed written description of the employee's functional abilities and work restrictions completed by the employee's healthcare provider.

MnDOT Report of Work Ability for Work Injuries

A form to be completed by a healthcare provider on behalf of an employee with a work-related injury.

Permanent Work Restrictions

A limitation or condition that is expected to be permanent in nature and/or is chronic with long term impact, as determined by the employee’s healthcare provider or a healthcare provider selected by Human Resources.

Reasonable Accommodation

An adjustment or alteration that enables a qualified person with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment. Refer to MnDOT’s  Reasonable Accommodation  policy for further information.

Significant Injury or Illness

A work-related injury or illness that results in death, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work, or transfer to another job.

Temporary Work Restrictions

A limitation or condition that is not expected to be permanent in nature and/or is non-chronic with little or no long-term impact, as determined by the employee’s healthcare provider or a healthcare provider selected by Human Resources. Whether a condition is temporary in nature must be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Treating Healthcare Provider

For state employees entitled to workers' compensation treatment, a physician, chiropractor, osteopathic physician, podiatrist, or dentist directing and coordinating the course of medical care to the employee.

Responsibilities

Employees

  • Report and provide injury or illness information to supervisor (this is not done through eSAFE).
  • Enter injury information electronically into eSAFE. If eSAFE is unavailable, complete paper forms located under the Resources Tab of the agency Workers’ Compensation iHUB page and submit to the Workers’ Compensation Coordinator.
  • Promptly provide a completed MnDOT Report of Work Ability for Work Injuries received from the treating health care provider to the Workers' Compensation Coordinator.
  • Actively participate in the return-to-work process.

Managers/Supervisors (or Designee)

  • Complete and submit all agency claims investigation information immediately, but not later than 24 hours, after the injury or illness.
  • Enter injury information electronically into eSAFE. If eSAFE is unavailable, complete paper forms located under the Resources Tab of the agency Workers’ Compensation iHUB page and submit to the Workers’ Compensation Coordinator.
  • Maintain regular contact with the employee.
  • Actively participate in the return-to-work process.

Workers' Compensation Coordinators

  • Coordinate with the Minnesota Department of Administration - Risk Management Division (RMD) to facilitate the management of a claim from initial filing to final closing.
  • Facilitate the return-to-work process for injuries or illnesses involving temporary and/or permanent work restrictions.
  • Work with the Office of Human Resources and Office of Equity and Diversity to evaluate the need for reasonable accommodation, where applicable.

Office of Human Resources

  • Collaborate with and advise the Workers' Compensation Coordinator and Office of Equity and Diversity regarding:
    • FMLA qualifying leave
    • Job opportunities within the agency when permanent restrictions are determined
    • Leave of absence and separation

Office of Equity and Diversity

  • Collaborate with and advise the Workers’ Compensation Coordinator and Office of Human Resources regarding reasonable accommodation, where applicable.

Office of Administration, Workers' Compensation Manager

  • Serve as MnDOT's internal consultant to offices/districts regarding specific workers' compensation claims and case management.
  • Develop, conduct, and coordinate training, and provide information regarding the claims process to office/district Workers' Compensation Coordinators, safety administrators, managers, supervisors and employees.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for Minnesota Department of Administration - Risk Management Division (RMD) and the Department of Labor and Industry Workers' Compensation Division when a significant injury occurs.

Office Directors/District Engineers

  • Be familiar with this policy

Policy Owner (Director, Office of Administration)

  • Review the policy every two years, or sooner as necessary, to ensure the policy remains up to date.
  • Ensure procedures, form, and training associated with the policy remain current.
  • Be aware of state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements that apply to the policy or procedures.
  • Consult with the Office of Chief Counsel to ensure the policy and procedures remain compliant with all state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements.
  • Ensure that necessary approvals by state or federal agencies are obtained before changes to the policy or procedures are implemented.
  • Work with the Policy Coordinator to revise the policy and/or confirm its accuracy.
  • Communicate policy revisions, reviews, and retirements to stakeholders.

Resources and related information

Agency Injury Website

Forms required for every incident receiving medical attention:

Processes, Procedures, and Instructions

Resources

History and updates

Adopted

March 19, 2015

Superseded

  • Policy 98-2, Workers' Compensation Return-to-Work
    • Effective April 7, 1998
  • Policy 3.28, Workers' Compensation Return-to-Work
    • Effective September 18, 2008

Revised

  • First Revision: August 14, 2018
  • Second Revision: March 12, 2019
  • Third Revision: September 11, 2020 (also renumbered as #WF012)

Policy Review

  • August 18, 2022: Made minor revisions to match updated policy template including adding two policy owner responsibilities
  • October 8, 2024: Added definitions and made other clerical edits.

This policy's next scheduled review is due September 2026.