Workers' Compensation

It is the policy of Cal Poly Humboldt to:

• Provide a safe and healthful work environment for all employees.
• Ensure that employees that are injured or become ill on the job receive appropriate medical attention.
• Return employees who have received disabling injuries to full or modified work as soon as their medical conditions permit.
• Not discriminate against workers who are injured in the course and scope of their employment.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ Compensation is an employer-paid benefit program that provides compensation and medical benefits if you are injured or become ill due to a work-related condition.

Sedgwick CMS is our Workers’ Compensation Third Party Administrator. They will provide any medical or compensation benefits an injured worker is entitled to receive. If you have any questions, contact Sedgwick CMS or the Humboldt Workers’ Compensation Manager in Human Resources.

If you cannot work because of an industrial injury, workers’ compensation pays your medical bills and provides compensation to help replace your lost income until you can return to work. Workers’ Compensation provides five primary benefits to an employee injured on the job:

• Medical care to cure or relieve the effects of the industrial injury/illness.
• Compensation payments to help replace lost wages.
• Permanent disability to compensate for diminished earning capacity.
• Death benefits to be made to qualifying dependents in work-related death cases.
• Vocational Services for education-related retraining or skill enhancement.

The term “industrial injury” is used to describe any injury, illness, or disease which results from work or working conditions, and which occurs during the employee’s service to the employer. Injuries resulting from workplace crime, including psychiatric injury, may be considered industrial. Even first-aid type injuries are covered.

Generally, a claim for workers’ compensation benefits must be filed within one year of either the date of injury or the last payment of benefits, or for a cumulative injury, within one year from the date the employee suffered a disability and knew, or should have known, the disability was work-related.

However, benefits may not be provided for injuries occurring during voluntary participation in any off-duty recreational, social, or athletic activity, not part of any employee’s work related duties

Dispute Resolution

If you have additional questions regarding your workers’ compensation benefits, contact either the Humboldt Workers' Compensation Manager in Human Resources (826-3626) or Sedgwick CMS. If you are dissatisfied with the information provided, you may contact an Information and Assistance Officer or an attorney. For the Information and Assistance Officer call (805) 485-3528. They will inform you of your rights and, if necessary, will provide you with a full review of your claim for compensation. The information and assistance service is free.

Some issues may need to be resolved by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the state agency responsible for handling disputes. The Appeals Board is a court of law. You can represent yourself or you may want to hire a lawyer. If you hire an attorney, the fee will be deducted from any benefits awarded by the Appeals Board.

Contact Information

Benefits & Leaves Coordinator

If you have questions or need help regarding your workers’ compensation benefits, please contact the Benefits & Leaves Coordinator (707-826-4912). This person can provide immediate help with your questions or claim.

Sedgwick CMS

CSU claims are administered by Sedgwick CMS (formerly Octagon Risk Services).  If you file a claim for Workers’ Compensation benefits Sedgwick CMS will assign a person to administer your claim.  That person will also be able to answer questions and help with the process.

Sedgwick CMS
P.O. Box 14629
Lexington, KY  40512-4629

If you are dissatisfied with the information provided, you may contact an Information and Assistance Officer or an attorney.  For the Information and Assistance Officer in Eureka, call (707) 441-5723.  They will inform you of your rights and, if necessary, will provide you with a full review of your claim for compensation.  The information and assistance service is free.

Some issues may need to be resolved by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the state agency responsible for handling disputes.  The Appeals Board is a court of law.  You can represent yourself or you may want to hire a lawyer.  If you hire a lawyer, the lawyer’s fee will be deducted from your benefits.

Additional Resources

• CSU IDL Guide
  Industrial Disability Leave Administrative Guide
• State of California Division of Workers' Compensation
  The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) monitors the administration of workers' compensation claims, and provides administrative and judicial services to assist in resolving disputes that arise in connection with claims for workers' compensation benefits.