Injury/Accident – On the Job

If you have had an accident while working for the RF, notify your manager immediately. You and/or your manager will be responsible for filing the applicable incident reports and safety reporting forms.

If your injury will require time away from work as a result of the injury, Worker’s Compensation benefits may apply. Please contact your campus Benefits Office as soon as possible.

Worker’s Compensation

If you are unable to work because of an injury or illness directly caused by your job, you have the following options regarding the use of leave accruals and Workers’ Compensation benefits

• You may use sick leave accruals and remain on the RF payroll from the first day of disability through your current appointment period, or until your sick leave accruals are exhausted, whichever comes first.
• You may elect to receive Workers’ Compensation payments from the first day they are due.
• You may receive Workers’ Compensation payments and charge partial leave accruals through your current appointment period in order to maintain your income level prior to disability.

Chubb Insurance Company will make Workers’ Compensation payments for medical treatment   expenses for an injury or illness directly caused by your job.

If you are eligible for income replacement benefits, you will receive up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages, but no more than the maximum benefit set by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board.

The average weekly wage is based on payroll records for the year prior to the date of disability or accident. Workers’ Compensation benefits will continue until your physician approves your return to work.

Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Coverage Continuation

The health, dental, vision care and life insurance benefits will continue in effect when you become disabled while you are receiving income replacement benefits for a total disability, subject to the terms of those plans. Refer the Benefits Handbook or Postdoctoral Employee Benefits Handbook for additional information.

If you currently receive income replacement through Workers’ Compensation for a total disability caused by a work-related illness or injury sustained during RF employment, the RF will continue the benefits in effect at the time of your disability, either for the period of the total disability, or up to age 65, whichever comes first.

At age 65, you will be eligible to continue your health insurance coverage as a retiree if you meet the eligibility criteria. 

While on Worker’s Compensation, you may also be entitled to Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).

Long Term Disability

In the event that you have a serious or long term illness, the RF may provide Long Term Disability Insurance benefits on your behalf.

The long term disability benefit begins on the first day following 180 consecutive days of a certified total disability (or when full sick leave payments end, if later) and ensures a monthly income on a long-term basis. You may receive 60 percent of your regular monthly salary up to a maximum of $7,500 per month (this amount is offset by other income such as disability insurance, Workers’ Compensation and actual or estimated Social Security benefits). Please see the Benefits Handbook and the Long Term Disability Web pages for eligibility, process, and benefit details.

Injury/Accident – Off the Job

If you have had an accident and are injured off the job, please let your manager know right away. If you will require time away from work as a result of the injury, please contact your campus Benefits Office.

There are several benefits that may apply while you recover from your injury.

Short Term Disability

Under New York State Law, the RF provides this off-the-job illness or injury coverage to all employees.

• You must first exhaust any sick leave benefits
• After a seven calendar day waiting period, you receive 50 percent of your average salary for the eight weeks prior to disability, up to the maximum benefit established under the New York State Disability Benefits Law, currently $170 per week
• You can receive benefits up to a maximum of 26 weeks
• Your medical claims should be submitted to your health insurance plan. 

The health, dental, vision care and life insurance benefits in effect when you became disabled will be continued for the period of time during which partial income replacement is received through New York State Disability insurance, subject to the terms of those plans.

Long Term Disability

In the event that you have a serious or long term illness, the RF may provide Long Term Disability Insurance benefits on your behalf.

The long term disability benefit begins on the first day following 180 consecutive days of a certified total disability (or when full sick leave payments end, if later) and ensures a monthly income on a long-term basis. You may receive 60 percent of your regular monthly salary up to a maximum of $7,500 per month (this amount is offset by other income such as disability insurance, Workers’ Compensation and actual or estimated Social Security benefits). Please see the Benefits Handbook and the Long Term Disability Web pages for eligibility, process, and benefit details.

If your disability extends beyond 180 days and you qualified for Long Term Disability benefits before you became disabled, you are eligible to apply for benefits under the Long Term Disability Insurance Plan, insured by The Standard.

If you are receiving Long Term Disability payments, the benefits in effect at the time you became disabled will continue under the same terms and conditions that apply to active employees. Based on your date of employment, coverage continues as outlined in the “Continuing Benefits” section of the Benefits Handbook or Postdoctoral Employee Benefits Handbook.

While on NYS Disability benefits, you may also be entitled to Family and Medical Leave.