ISWC FAQ's, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu

Your safety and health are important to the City and County of Honolulu. However, accidents can happen and when they do and are work related, you are covered under the State's Workers' Compensation Law. Workers' compensation for the City and County is administered by the Department of Human Resources. The following frequently asked questions about workers' compensation will help you understand what benefits may be available to you if you suffer a work related injury or illness.

What is the purpose of workers' compensation?
The purpose of workers' compensation is to provide every employee who suffers a work related injury or illness with medical care, temporary wage replacement and permanent disability benefits. It also provides death benefits for beneficiaries.

What is an industrial injury or illness?
An industrial injury or illness is defined as any injury or disease that occurs because of your work or working conditions.

Who is covered under workers' compensation?
All employees of the City and County of Honolulu are fully covered under workers' compensation. Volunteers are covered for medical benefits only.

Immediately notify your supervisor.
Obtain appropriate medical treatment for your injury or illness, if required.
Submit a "Report of Industrial Injury or Illness" through your supervisor. This is your claim for workers' compensation benefits.

Who can I go to for treatment?
If your injury or illness is severe or requires immediate attention, you will most likely go to a hospital emergency room. You should follow the instructions of emergency room personnel, who may refer you to your private medical doctor for follow-up or recommend a specialist for your condition. You may obtain treatment from your private family physician for non-emergencies. Your family physician may refer you to other physicians, as appropriate.

What do I tell my doctor if I am injured?
If you are injured as a result of a work related accident, you should tell the person who treats you that this is a work injury and ask that medical reports be sent to the following address:

Workers' Compensation Office
City and County of Honolulu
650 South King Street, 6th Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

If I don't like my doctor, may I change to another doctor?
If for any reason you wish to change physicians, you may do so provided that prior to changing, you notify the workers' compensation office by calling your claim adjuster. You are usually allowed only one change of doctor. If you wish to make any further changes, you must have the approval of the workers' compensation office.

If I get injured, what medical benefits will workers' compensation pay for?
Workers' compensation will pay for doctor bills, hospital bills, prescription drugs, x-rays, physical therapy and other related services. Your doctor must prescribe any service provided. Any treatment you receive without a doctor's prescription may not be covered under workers' compensation. Certain non-prescription drugs, such as aspirin and vitamins and memberships in health spas or gyms are not ordinarily covered under workers' compensation.

How do I obtain prescription drugs prescribed by my doctor?
Your doctor must prescribe all drugs and you can take your prescription to any pharmacy. If your workers' compensation claim has not yet been filed, you may pay for your first prescription and you will be reimbursed for the cost. However, if you need any refills or new prescriptions, you should have the pharmacy bill the City directly. If you pay for prescription drugs yourself, you may not be reimbursed for the full amount. The City is only obligated to pay for drugs at a rate set by the State, and some pharmacies may charge you more than this amount.

What if I cannot work because of my injury?
If you cannot return to work right away because of your injury, you may receive temporary wage replacement benefits after a three-day waiting period. The amount of your weekly wage replacement benefit depends on your regular salary, and is different for each employee. Also, your doctor must certify any disability from work and this benefit will end when your doctor says you are able to return to work.

What if I have an outside job?
If you have another outside job, you may be eligible for additional benefits. You should contact your claim adjuster to discuss this.

What if my doctor releases me for light or limited duty?
If your doctor releases you for light or limited duty, you should contact your department immediately and see if they have work for you. If light or limited duty is offered to you and you refuse to return to work, you may lose your temporary wage replacement benefits.

What if I am never able to return to my regular job because of my injury?
If you are unable to return to your usual job because of a work injury, a City vocational rehabilitation counselor will assist you in locating other suitable work in the City. If the City is not able to place you into another position, you may also be referred for private vocational rehabilitation services to assist you in locating other suitable employment outside the City.

What if I have a permanent disability because of my injury?
After your reach the point of stability or maximum medical recovery (your doctor says that you will not get any better or worst), you may be sent to a physician to see if you have any permanent disability (something still wrong). This evaluation will be used to determine if you should receive additional workers' compensation benefits because of your disability.

What if I am never able to return to any kind of work anywhere?
If you are unable to do any kind of work, you may be eligible for permanent total disability benefits. This determination is always made at a hearing with the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

What if my injury results in my death?
If an industrial injury results in death, your surviving spouse and other dependents may be entitled to weekly benefits. Funeral and burial expenses also maybe awarded. These benefits are always determined at a hearing with the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

What if I have a scar?
If your injury results in a scar or other disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation.

What if the City denies my claim?
The City initially denies some workers' compensation claims because more information is needed in order to make a decision. If this happens, your claim adjuster will let you know what additional information is required. The City may send you for an evaluation by a specialist to obtain additional medical information. After the City completes its investigation, if your claim is still denied, a hearing will automatically be scheduled by the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. They will notify you in writing of the time and date of this hearing and you will be able to explain and support your claim at that time.

What if I need more information?
If you need more information about your workers' compensation claim, you should speak with your claim adjuster, or call the City's workers' compensation office at 523-4971. You may also call the State workers' compensation facilitator at 586-9176.