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January 1, 1998

ADMINISTRATIVE MEMORANDUM NO. 6.2


TO:            Vice Presidents, Deans, Division Directors, and Other
                  Administrative Officials

FROM:        Office of the President

SUBJECT:   Injuries, Emergencies and Related Matters

  1. Injuries and Illnesses That May Be/Are a Threat to Life

    1. Go to the nearest telephone and call the University Police (ext. 4242). Please give the exact location and the nature of the illness or injury if known. Direct line emergency telephones located in the elevators and in the parking lots may be used for this purpose.

    2. Return to the scene until help arrives.

    3. Do not try to move the person unless further danger exists.

    4. Try to ascertain if the person is a visitor, student, faculty or staff. It is important to have this information available.

    5. The first police officer to arrive at the scene will remain to expedite communications.

    6. The police officer at the scene will determine if EMS is to be called.

  2. Injuries or Illnesses That Are Not a Threat to Life

    1. If the person is a visitor, the University Police will deal with the situation.

    2. Students should be taken to and assisted by the Student Health Service (Science Building Room 1.03.02). The Student Health Service will not be able to provide medical treatment to University employees except in life threatening emergencies. Transportation cannot be provided by Student Health Services employees.

    3. The following is a summary of recommended steps to be taken when a faculty or staff member becomes ill, is injured or is involved in other emergency situations while on the campus:

      1. Work Related Injury or Illness

        All UTSA employees are automatically covered under Workers' Compensation Insurance. When a work-related injury or illness occurs that requires emergency treatment you should follow the procedures outlined under the previous section of this memorandum. If the injury or illness is not an emergency, the employee may elect to see a physician of his/her choice. When a work-related injury or illness occurs, the department should file a "First Report of Injury" (WCI Form 5) with the Personnel Office as soon possible. If the employee elects to use vacation or sick leave in connection with the injury, submit a "Request for Paid Leave Due to On-the-Job Injury" form (WCI Form 23) to the Personnel Office. The University will pay all reasonable costs for drugs, medical treatments and hospitalization in connection with work-related injuries. Medical bills, statements or charges received by the employees should be referred to the Personnel Office. At the present time, weekly benefits are 66-2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $105.00 per week.

        The Supervisor's Guide to Handling Workers' Compensation Insurance LWCI) Claims has been disseminated throughout the institution and additional copies may be obtained in the Personnel Office.

      2. Nonwork Related Injury or Illness

        Any injury or illness not attributable to a work-related accident or condition which occurs to a faculty or staff employee during working hours is not covered by Workers' Compensation Insurance. In such cases, the first step to be taken is to notify the employee's supervisor. If the injury or illness is such that the employee cannot travel alone, arrangements should be made to have the employee picked up by a relative or other person designated by the employee.

  3. Other Information

    It would assist in the handling of faculty and staff situations if all supervisors would obtain the following information from each member of their staff-

    1. Name, address, and telephone number.

    2. Person or persons to notify in case of emergency (name, address, and telephone number).

    3. Personal physician (name, address, and telephone number).

    4. Preferred hospital and telephone number.

    5. Identification of any condition that may cause an emergency (diabetes, epilepsy, drug reactions, etc.)

    Notify the University Police of all injuries including those that do not constitute a threat to life. The purpose is to record the circumstances.

Also see Administrative Memorandum No. 6.1: "Handling of Emergencies."

Reporting Claims (or Possible Claims) Arising Under Texas Tort Claims Act

Provisions of the Texas Tort Claims Act (Article 6252-19, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) require that the Attorney General of Texas defend claims against certain State agencies, including The University of Texas System. Presently, any such claims that are reduced to judgement must be paid by direct appropriation of the Legislature, since no insurance is carried to cover such claims.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) of The University of Texas System will report the details of all claims (or possible claims) to the Attorney General. The OGC needs immediate notice of the essential details of any possible claim that may arise under the Act. The Preliminary Summary Report form is included with this memorandum. As indicated by the title and explanatory caption, this form is to be used to report such summary details as are known immediately upon the occurrence of any incident that may be considered to create a possible claim under the Act. The person who is responsible for the area in which the accident or injury occurs is responsible for completing the Preliminary Summary Report form. The University Police will complete the report form if the accident occurs on any of the campus public areas (sidewalks, streets, parking areas) or if a University vehicle is involved in the accident. The form should be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs with as complete information as possible (including additional details and comments not called for or referred to on the form) and not later than five days after the essential details of the incident are known. The Vice President for Business Affairs will submit the Preliminary Summary Report to OGC. After reviewing the report, OGC will request any additional information needed for its files or for reporting to the Attorney General.

Copies of the report form should be reproduced locally for use as needed.

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