Workers' compensation is a state-mandated benefit – paid by your employer – that entitles you to medical care, hospitalization, rehabilitation and partial wage replacement when you have job-related injuries or illness. In each state there is a Workers' Compensation Board or regulatory agency that receives and processes workers' claims for benefits, employers’ reports of injuries and medical reports from physicians and other health care providers.
If you are injured:
Immediately report the injury to your stage manager.
Have an accident report filed by your employer with the insurance company; request a copy.
(This form should have the name and address of the insurance carrier, your employer's policy number and your claim number listed. Give this information to any doctor that treats your injury; never use your personal insurance or pay out of pocket.)
Ask your Equity deputy to file an accident report in the Deputy Support Center.
Fill out an Employee Claim Form and mail it to the state’s Workers' Compensation Board.
Keep a copy of every form you file and every document you receive.
If you need to miss work:
Get documentation from a medical doctor confirming your disability. Please note: a physical therapist's note will not suffice.
Contact Actors' Equity Association’s Workers’ Compensation department regarding Supplemental Workers' Compensation Benefits.
Return the Attending Physician’s Statement, W4S form, Report of Disability and copies of any workers' compensation check stubs you receive.
Continue to send in check stubs as you receive them.
Notify both Actors’ Equity and the insurance company if you work during any period of your disability.
Remember: You do not have to use sick leave. Save your sick leave for time losses due to illness or injuries and accidents that occur off the job (unrelated to your work).
Please note:
This supplemental coverage is separate from and in addition to workers' compensation insurance.
You will not lose all your pay for this time lost. The Supplemental Workers' Compensation Plan will reimburse you for 100% of salary or 75% of Production Contract minimum, whichever is less, minus any payment you receive from Workers' Compensation
This benefit is subject to taxes; workers' compensation is not.
You can collect Supplemental Workers' Compensation for as little as one day and up to five years.
You must file for Supplemental Workers' Compensation within twelve months of your accident or twelve months from the day you receive your first disability check from workers' comp.
Equity has a department dedicated to helping members in the event of a workplace injury. If you need help navigating Workers' Compensation — or determining if you qualify — please contact: