douglas PUD
Occupational disability
when you get hurt on the job
Occupational disability provides you with medical benefits and wage replacement when you have a job-related injury or illness. When you are injured at work, seek medical help and tell your supervisor. An accident/injury form, located on the Safety homepage of the DCPUD Intranet, must be completed for the District to pay any occupational disability allowance.
Note: You may be covered under the short term disability plan if you experience a serious and extended illness or injury that is not work related.
Who is covered?
All employees are covered for occupational disability through the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
medical benefits
where do i go for care?
If you get hurt on the job, go to a health care provider of your choice, urgent care, or the emergency room and tell them you were injured at work.
If you need medical care after the first visit, you will need to see a provider in L&I’s network. You can find a doctor here. You can change providers at any time.
How much do I have to pay for medical care?
If your disability claim is approved, L&I pays for medical care directly related to your accident or illness, including any prescription drugs you may need, and related travel costs. You don’t have to pay any copays, deductibles, or co-insurance.
occupational disability pay
An occupational disability allowance will be paid to you while absent from work when you have qualified for compensation under the Worker’s Compensation Act, provided you provide us with 1) a certificate signed by your doctor that you are disabled, and 2) a statement signed by you guaranteeing that you will endorse State compensation checks over to the PUD.
When L&I approves your claim for lost wages, you will be paid by the PUD as follows unless you are Kept on Salary (KOS) as determined by the District:
During the first 22 working days (including holidays) you will be paid at your regular rate.
For the next 238 working days (including holidays) you will be paid at 80% of your regular pay. You cannot use personal leave (PL) to supplement your disability payment.
While you wait for approval by L&I, you will be paid under the short term disability benefit, provided you are filing for and/or complying with requirements to determine eligibility. PL used while waiting for approval will be restored to your PL bank after you receive approval for lost wages from L&I.
filing a claim
L&I strives to make filing a claim as easy as possible.
Online via L&I’s FileFast tool
By phone: 1-877-561-FILE (3453)
At your doctor’s office (if you complete the Report of Accident at your doctor's office, the doctor files the form for you).
Note: Douglas PUD is NOT considered a self-insured employer.
returning to work
Research shows the sooner you return to work, the more likely you will preserve future income and health. While medical restrictions may prevent you from returning to your regular job, you may be able to return to work in a different, light duty capacity while still receiving medical benefits. Returning to work as quickly as possible is a team effort between you, your doctor, and your PUD. Talk with us about work you may be able to perform while you fully recover.
Some injuries or illnesses are so severe that you can’t go back to work. If you experience a partial permanent disability you may be eligible for a disability award through L&I. You may also receive a monthly pension if you are certified as permanently and totally disabled.
Helpful links:
For more information visit L&I’s website.
L&I’s guide for injured workers
more information:
You can find related policies on the DCPUD Intranet SharePoint site:
Current collective bargaining agreement – in the “Frequently Accessed Information” section on the Human Resources homepage. Section 5.5
Administrative Bulletins – under “Policies” on the DCPUD Intranet homepage. Bulletin 7.6
CONTACT INFO: 360.902.5800
LNI.WA.GOV
