All work related injuries should have a First Report of Injury form completed.  It is extremely critical that this is done within 24 hours of the initial incident. 

Why is it so important to complete a First Report of Injury form?

Employers have strict state deadlines for reporting work-related injuries and can incur large fines if these deadlines are not met.  

What is the form used for?

The information on a First Report of Injury form is used to file the workers compensation claim and to provide data to OSHA regarding the number and type of injuries that occur at a given location during the year.

Who sees the form?

Human Resources and the workers compensation administrator see the completed form in order to process the workers compensation claim.  Information from the form is summarized for OSHA for other reporting purposes.

What happens if the form is not completed or turned in to Human Resources?

If the form doesn't get sent to Human Resources, a workers compensation claim can't be started.  Also, Human Resources is unaware of the injury and cannot report it before their deadline, SPPS is fined by the state.

What happens if information is missing on the form?

If information on the form is missing, it can delay the processing of the claim and Human Resources will need to contact the supervisor and/or employee to obtain the additional information. 

One of the most important pieces of information that should be included on the form is the first day (or partial day) that the employee misses from work as a result of the injury.  If no work time is lost, that field in the form should be completed as "N/A" so Human Resources knows the information is not missing.

 

 First Report of Injury form