Workers' Compensation FAQ

Incurring an injury on the job is an unpleasant experience for anyone, whether the injury is slight or serious. You may have questions regarding medical treatment, time off from work, financial loss and other responsibilities. Below are three of the most often asked questions.

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Who can I contact if I have questions about workers compensation and what benefits are available to me?

The District has a complete booklet called the "Workers' Compensation Employee Information Packet". Contact the Support Services Office at (562) 938-4038 if you wish a copy.

What doctor can I see as a result of an occupational accident/injury?

The District has a panel of specialists who are experts in industrial medicine. Your supervisor has this list. If you should have an injury, notify your supervisor immediately, and if treatment is necessary, you will be given an "Occupational Injury Medical Service Order" to use when you report for your medical appointment.

You may see your own personal physician ONLY if you have registered his/her name with the Support Services office thirty days prior to your injury. Additionally, any forms filed prior to August 11, 2004 are no longer valid. Go to General Forms and download the Personal Physician Pre-Designation form. You only need to complete and file this form once; it will remain on file in Support Services. Do not complete this form at this time unless you have never completed one before or you wish to change your previously designated physician/physicians. Return completed forms to Support Services/Paul Quirk/LAC Campus.

Severe injuries or life endangering conditions should be treated without delay at the nearest hospital regardless of any forms on file with Support Services. In the event of a serious life threatening medical emergency (person unconscious, severe bleeding, suspected heart attack, deep shock, etc.), employees should be transported to the nearest facility by paramedics or ambulance. Both St. Mary Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center and L. B. Community Hospital are designated trauma centers and should be utilized if possible.

How will the Workers' Compensation Reform of 2004 affect me?

The sweeping workers' compensation overhaul bill that was signed into law on April 19, 2004, by our Governor, as well as the changes effective January 1, 2004, contain broad, systemic changes in the workers' compensation field. The following is a brief summary of the key points of this new legislation and how it might affect you:

Indemnity Payments

The system for calculating the severity of an injured workers’ permanent disability will be standardized using the American Medical Association guidelines.

For injuries occurring after April 18, 2004, the plan will cap payments for most temporary disabilities after two years.

Credit may be taken for prior injuries and disabilities, whether they are work related or not. When calculating an employee’s permanent disability, the employee must disclose all prior work related and non-work related disabilities, prior workers’ compensation settlements or awards.

Disclosure of Disability

If you are injured, you will be requested by our Third Party Administrator, Keenan & Associates, to disclose all prior work related and non-work related disabilities, prior workers' compensation settlements or awards.

Medical Treatment

If an injured worker notifies the employer, in writing, prior to any injury that they have a personal physician, they can be treated by that physician from the date of injury. In order for an employee to pre-designate a personal physician for a work related injury, the employer must provide non-occupational group health coverage in the health care service plan. The personal physician must also be the employee's regular physician and surgeon who has directed the employee's medical treatment, maintains the employee's medical records, and is now required to agree to be the employee's pre-designated physician.

If you have an open workers' compensation claim (or report a new injury), all of the medical treatment, and all of your treating physician’s recommendations, will be reviewed to ensure that the treatment is appropriate and is covered under the new workers' compensation laws. In some cases, a second opinion will be obtained to ensure that you are getting the best possible treatment for your injury. This may mean that a treatment plan submitted by your treating physician may not be immediately authorized.

Effective January 1, 2005, when the employer has an established Medical Provider Network, injured workers who haven't pre-designated a physician, must seek care through a doctor in the network. Following your initial visit, you will be able to self-direct your treatment within the broad network of physicians.

So What Does This Mean to You?

Disclosure of prior disability: If you are injured, you will be requested by our Third Party Administrator, Keenan & Associates, to disclose all prior injuries and/or disabilities.

PRE-DESIGNATING YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN: If your employer provides Group Health Care coverage, and if you wish to, (or have in the past) pre-designated a Personal Physician for work related injuries, you will need to complete a new designation form that will require that you get your physicians consent to treat you for a work related injury.

Remember, if you should have an accident or injury at work, you must notify your supervisor/manager immediately and complete an "Employee Accident/Illness Report" for submission to Support Services within 24 hours of the incident of accident/illness.

Questions: Contact Support Services at (562) 938-4038.