Worker’s Compensation

Worker’s compensation (WC) is a State of Wisconsin statutory benefit program that provides medical treatment, wage replacement and other benefits to employees who sustain work-related injury or illness.


At UW–Madison, Worker’s Compensation claims are coordinated through the Office of Risk Management Worker’s Compensation Coordinator, in partnership with Divisional Human Resources Representatives. Claims examination, administration and the payment of benefits performed by UW System Administration.

Major benefits provided by worker’s compensation include:

  • Medical treatment resulting from work-related injury or illness
  • Lost wages
  • Compensation for permanent disabilities
  • Vocational rehabilitation

More details can be found on the UW System “What does worker’s compensation cover?” webpage.

Now available – 2023 Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses report

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to post their OSHA 300A report from at least February 1 – April 30 each year for the previous calendar year’s OSHA recordable claims. The 2023 300A is linked below:

OSHA 300A – 2023 Summary of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses (PDF)

Worker's compensation topics

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How to report a worker's compensation claim

All work-related injuries and illnesses must be reported immediately.

Follow these steps to report a Worker’s Compensation claim:

  1. Employee must complete and submit the Employee’s Work Injury and Illness Report (PDF) to their supervisor within 24 hours of the occurrence of injury or illness.
  1. Supervisor must complete the Supervisor Incident Analysis and Prevention Report (PDF) and email the form with the completed Employee’s Work Injury and Illness Report, to their Human Resources Representative within 1 work day (8 business hours) of learning of an employee’s work-related injury or illness.
  2. Human Resources Representatives, upon learning of an employee’s work-related injury or illness, must immediately obtain the completed Employee’s Work Injury and Illness Report and Supervisor Incident Analysis and Prevention Report and submit to UW-Madison’s Worker’s Compensation Coordinator, in one of the following three (3) possible ways:
    1. Via email at workcompprog@bussvc.wisc.edu (preferred);
    2. Via fax at (608) 265-3624 (less desired); or
    3. By entering the claim into the Enterprise STARS Worker’s Compensation claims system (limited to selected HR Representatives who have been granted access to the claims system by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration).

Special note: Failure to promptly report work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses may result in significant penalties and fines to UW–Madison, imposed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. It is important all work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses be reported immediately upon knowledge.

How to report a worker's compensation claim - Physical Plant and College of Engineering employees

A new online claim process is being piloted (tested) with Physical Plant and College of Engineering (CoE) employees. Timeliness of reporting is still important, the process is the only thing changing!

Follow these steps to report a Worker’s Compensation claim:

  1. Employee must complete and submit the Employee’s Work Injury and Illness Report (links to UW System site) within 24 hours of the occurrence of injury or illness.
  2. Supervisor must complete the Supervisor’s Incident Analysis and Prevention Report (links to UW System site) within 1 work day (8 business hours) of learning of an employee’s work-related injury or illness.

Flow chart illustrating the steps of how a worker's compensation claim is made for Physical Plant and College of Engineering employees. (As of Oct. 2022)

Worker's compensation eligibility

Eligibility for worker’s compensation benefits is defined by WI Statute Chapter 102.07(4)(a). At the time of injury, there must be an employer-employee relationship, as defined by Statute, in order for benefits to be provided to the injured person. Persons who hold Service Appointments at UW–Madison are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits, as they earn wage compensation and are deemed to be employees of the University.

UW–Madison employee service appointments eligible for worker’s compensation, include, but are not limited to the following:

  • University Staff, Academic Staff, Faculty, LTEs, Student Employee positions, Research Assistants, Research Associates, Research Interns, Teaching Assistants, Program Assistants, Project Assistants and Postgraduate Trainees.

Persons at UW–Madison who hold non-service appointments are not eligible to receive worker’s compensation benefits. Ineligible persons include, but are not limited to:

  • Fellows, Scholars, Postdoctoral Fellows, Postdoctoral Trainees and Student Interns/Trainees

For more information on eligible Service Appointments, please see Policy UW-5005 Nonservice Appointments.

If you encounter a question on whether or not a person is eligible for worker’s compensation benefits, please contact the Office of Risk Management Worker’s Compensation Coordinator or your HR Representative.

Administration of worker's compensation claims

Administration and examination of UW–Madison’s worker’s compensation (WC) claims has been delegated to UW System Administration by the Wisconsin Department of Administration. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development oversees and governs the administration of WC benefits for all employers in the State.

UW–Madison’s Office of Risk Management—through the Worker’s Compensation Coordinator—facilitates and coordinates the worker’s compensation claims process for campus. The Worker’s Compensation Coordinator serves as a resource to employees, supervisors, and Human Resources Representatives, and provides guidance and assistance in the worker’s compensation claims process.

Special note: Failure to promptly report work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses may result in significant penalties and fines to UW–Madison, imposed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. It is important all work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses be reported immediately upon knowledge.

Funding of worker's compensation claims costs

UW–Madison is self-funded for worker’s compensation through the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) and therefore pays 100% of the premium costs. DOA Bureau of Risk Management assesses annual premiums to each State agency to fund the self-funded Worker’s Compensation Program. UW–Madison is assessed approximately $3 million annually by DOA for its worker’s compensation premium costs.

Contact

Worker’s Compensation
21 N. Park St., Suite 5301
Madison, WI 53715

Note – Please contact the email address with questions and/or to schedule an in-person meeting. Advanced meeting scheduling is necessary in order to meet with Risk Management staff; drop-in appointments are not available.

(608) 265-9475

Fax: (608) 265-3624