Lee County is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its employees. The purpose of this program is to establish procedures for administering Workers' Compensation and work-related injury(ies) and/or illness(es) disability leave for employees and volunteers of Lee County Government in accordance with state laws and rules.
Lee County as an employer is self-insured for Workers' Compensation coverage. The program is administered by Risk Management and acts as the "insurance carrier" for the purpose of paying benefits and fulfilling the County's obligation to provide Workers' Compensation insurance to it's employees and to facilitate the worker's return to gainful reemployment.
Employees and supervisors are responsible for:
- Continually reviewing and assessing workplace safety and workers' compensation injuries to determine where they are occurring.
- Developing programs that correct unsafe conditions and practices within the work unit.
- Practicing good safety habits and observing appropriate precautions at all times for the protection of themselves and their coworkers.
Even when every precaution is taken, injuries on the job may occur.
If an injury does occur:
- The supervisor must be notified immediately.
- All claims shall be forwarded to Lee County Risk Management and Employee Health Services within the first 24 hours.
- Florida Statute 440.09 also provides that if the injury is caused by the knowing refusal of the employee to use a safety appliance or observe a safety rule, compensation may be reduced by 25 percent.