Our School and Building Engineers and their staff work to keep employees and students safe.  However, incidents and injuries are an unfortunate part of the workplace. You cannot lose your job because you reported an incident or if you are injured at work.  Please refer to the information below that is designated for the Union you are a member of  for more detailed information regarding benefits available to you while out on Workers’ Compensation.

Please be sure to view the information below for safety tips and what to do if an injury does occur. The directive is given to ensure that your claim is processed correctly and that your wages can be paid on time.

Safety of staff and students - District Resources

NEW WORKERS COMPENSATION INCIDENT CLAIM PROCESS       

On October 24, 2024, there will be a new form for Workers Compensation Incident Claim Form. 

This WILL REQUIRE ALL STAFF members to be logged in to their BPS email accounts to complete it. 

Once you are logged in, the form will automatically populate your name, location, employee ID, salary, supervisor, date of hire, date of birth, address, and title. 

There are required fields on this form, if you cannot continue to the next part of the form that means you are missing required fields. 

You will receive an automated message once you complete the form. 

This new process creates a more efficient and automated process for you, the workers' comp team and for our workers' compensation insurer. 

You CANNOT complete an incident form if you are not logged in to your BPS email account.  

If you have never logged into your BPS email, please reach out to the IT Help Desk (ITHelpdesk or 716-816-3510) for assistance on getting logged in. 

We encourage all staff to be sure you are checking your BPS email at least once a day to read any important communication coming from HR, Benefits and/or the district. 

REMINDERS

Workers Compensation is insurance that provides cash benefits and/or medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job.

An employee that is out of a work related injury and has been released to return to work with ANY restrictions, including but not limited to:

• lifting

• sitting and/or standing

• wearing a boot or brace 

• use of crutches, cane, scooter or walker

• needing specific office furniture (i.e. Sit/stand workstation, ergonomic chair, etc.)

MUST get approval by both Workers Comp and HR BEFORE you return to work.

An employee who is out on a work-related injury MUST submit a doctor's note to the Workers Comp department after each doctor's appointment related to the injury. 

🛑STOP 🛑 and read the information above.

DO NOT list ANY students names on any incident and/or witness forms, list only their 900#

Accident Form - Please see above, you need access to your BPS email to complete this form. ALL STAFF members need to be logged in to their BPS email accounts to complete it. 

You will receive an automated message once you complete the form. 

You CANNOT complete an incident form if you are not logged in to your BPS email account.  

If you have never logged into your BPS email, please reach out to the IT Help Desk (ITHelpdesk or 716-816-3510) for assistance on getting logged in. 

DO NOT list ANY students names on any incident and/or witness forms, list only their 900#

Witness Accident Form - To be completed by ALL individuals who were a witness to the incident.

Upon completion of the personal accident form and (if applicable) witness accident form, these will automatically be electronically routed to the WC Office, which will contact your Supervisor and our Third Party Administrator (PMA).  Once processed by the WC Office, a claim number will be sent directly to you via email. 

DO NOT list ANY students names on any incident and/or witness forms, list only their 900#

If you are injured at work it is always advisable to seek medical attention immediately. You will not be charged with the time off on the date of injury. Future appointments require the use of your own accruals unless your doctor disables you from work. 

If you need help finding a Health Care Provider who is authorized by the Workers' Compensation Board to treat injured workers, please consider one of the PMA partners: WC Providers in WNY.  This list is not a complete list of WC providers, and injured workers are encouraged to consider other potential providers to meet their medical needs.  

PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE BELOW REQUIREMENTS IF YOU ARE OUT OF WORK

Medical Reports

Your health care provider is required to write reports about your treatment and send those reports to the Board and to the workers' compensation insurer if:

• you are unable to work because of your injuries or illness. A medical report is required as proof in order to be eligible for lost wage benefits.

• you are unable to work for an extended period of time. Medical reports are required at least every 90 days in order to remain eligible for lost wage benefits.

• your claim is disputed. The Board needs a medical report for your injury or illness to begin resolving your claim

You are greatly encouraged to read the Related Files below: Workers' Compensation Basic Guide and Guide for Workers' Compensation Claims to better understand your rights and the process for treatment, equipment, and time off from work associated with a workplace injury.

It is important that as you transition back to work after a workplace injury, that you feel safe and supported.

You MUST provide a return to work release from your physician BEFORE you return to work.

If you are released to return with restrictions, we will work in collaboration with Human Resources and your Supervisor to evaluate and assess if those restrictions can be accommodated. We want to ensure a safe and confident return to work for you. As permitted by law, the District can assign "light duty".

If you wish to exercise your right to legal representation, hiring legal representation is optional and therefore, the Buffalo City School District is not responsible for your legal fees.  If there is money awarded in your case, your attorney fees may be deducted from that award and paid directly to your attorney by the insurance carrier.  If there is not a money award in your case, your attorney fees shall be deducted from your sick time accruals, or you will be responsible for paying the attorney fee out of pocket.   

If you have any further questions, please email our Workers' Comp team or call the Workers' Compensation Desk at 816-3936.