Workers Comp & Temp. Employee - HELP!

pwilliam

We hired a person on a temporary basis to do some painting. While painting she
injured her left shoulder. We sent her to our Occupational Medicine department for evaluation. She has been going to physical therapy and is restricted to light duty. However, there is no more painting to be done. Are we required to pay her workers comp benefits even though the temporary position has ended?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Safety Witch

Was this temp hired by you on a short-term or project basis, or was she from a temp agency? If a temp employee, did you supervise her job, i.e. tell her what time to report for duty, breaks, etc.?

If the answers are yes, then I believe you have to pay her worker's comp benefits until she can be shown employable. If her restrictions are temporary, it may be cheaper to pay the benefit, than go through the voc process. If her restrictions are not temporary, then you will have to go the voc route. These are the requirements in Washington State.

There are many other factors involved, so check with your state worker's comp program.

System

Don't sweat it if this is the case, call the temp co. It goes on their W/C Policy. 8-}