Reporting work injuries as a state program employer
As soon as you learn that one of your employees has been injured at work, report the injury to SFM using one of the methods below. Please note that if it’s an emergency, call 911 or get the employee to an emergency care facility before reporting the injury.
- If you are not part of the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Insurance Pool, please visit the report a work injury page in the Employers section.
- If you are a third-party administration client, please visit the report a TPA injury page.
- If you are a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Assigned Risk Plan (ARP) client, report using the Superior Point online report form .
Report online
Complete the online first report of injury form
The fastest and most convenient way to report injuries is online. No login or password is required. All you need is your policy number (which can be found on your policy) and the date of injury to get started.
Report by phone
Wisconsin employers in the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Insurance Pool employers should call (833) 949-4336 to report by phone.
Report by fax
If you’d rather not report online or by phone, you can complete the Wisconsin First Report of Injury form and fax it to us at (800) 944-1169. Make sure to keep your fax confirmation sheet for your records to prove that you reported on time.
What to do after reporting an injury
After your employee’s immediate medical needs are taken care of, follow these four steps:
1. Investigate the incident
Try to figure out the cause so you can prevent similar injuries in the future. It helps to talk with witnesses and take a look at the scene of the accident. It can also be helpful to take photos and save any equipment involved.
Learn more about investigating work injuries
2. Stay in contact with the injured employee
Injured workers often feel isolated and worry they’ll lose their job. Ease their fears by letting them know you care about their wellbeing and look forward to their return to work.
Point them to the injured workers section of our website where they can find resources and answers to common questions.
Learn why staying in contact with injured employees is important
3. Arrange for return-to-work
As soon as a doctor clears the employee to return to work, find a way to bring them back, even if they can’t yet return to their pre-injury job due to medical restrictions. Options include finding a temporary light-duty position, reducing hours or adjusting the employee’s regular job to accommodate restrictions.
Learn why return-to-work is so important, and how to do it
4. Notify your claims representative right away if the employee will be off work
This gives your claims representative time to determine whether the injury is covered by workers’ compensation, and pay wage-loss benefits before your state’s deadline.
Getting and handling medical data
State laws grant employers access to injured employees’ medical records to see work restrictions ordered by physicians.
Keep these rules in mind when handling confidential medical records:
- By law you can’t combine medical records with the employee’s personnel file. Keep a separate medical file.
- Never give medical information to a third party without the employee’s written consent.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) generally allows employers to discuss an injured employee’s progress and medical status related to a work injury with the employee’s treating physician. Medical providers may be unclear about the HIPAA law as it applies to workers’ comp and may be reluctant to give you information. If this happens, call us at (833) 949-4336.
