Quick Answer

Yes. All work-related injuries and incidents must be reported immediately and on the same day, regardless of how minor they may seem or whether symptoms appear right away.

Why Reporting Every Injury Is Required

Timely and accurate injury reporting:

• Protects your health and ensures appropriate medical guidance

• Preserves eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits

• Maintains OSHA and legal compliance

• Helps prevent future injuries by identifying hazards and trends

Even injuries that seem minor, involve no visible injury, or do not require medical care must still be reported.

Important Compliance Reminder

Failure to report a workplace injury or incident promptly and accurately may result in:

• Delayed medical care or workers’ compensation benefits

• OSHA compliance violations

• Corrective action, up to and including termination

This requirement applies to both team members and supervisors responsible for reporting, documenting, and escalating injury claims.

Governing Policy

This article provides general guidance only. Detailed requirements and procedures are governed by the LWG Safety Manual, which is the controlling document.

Need Support?

If you have questions or need help reporting an injury, our HR team is here to help.

** The below information is an excerpt from the LWG Safety Manual**

Workplace Injury & Illness Reporting

Timely and accurate injury reporting protects team members, ensures proper care, maintains compliance with OSHA, and helps prevent future incidents.

Work-Related Injury Reporting Procedures

• Stop Work Immediately: Prioritize safety and prevent further injury. If life-threatening, call 911 immediately.

• Notify Your Supervisor: Report the injury or incident to your supervisor as soon as possible. Report all injuries and incidents on the same day, regardless of severity or symptoms. This includes contacting and reporting the incident to Medcor.

• Contact Medcor (Non-Emergency): Call 1-815-846-2380 to speak with a licensed nurse for care guidance and clinic referral if needed.

• Follow Medical Direction (if needed): Attend all appointments. Bring your job description, workers’ compensation details, and a completed Return-to-Work form to each appointment.

• Complete Required Forms: Supervisors will initiate a Workers’ Compensation Incident Report. Team members must sign and provide a written statement if requested.

• Notify HR: Supervisors must notify HR within 24 hours to begin case monitoring and return-to-work coordination.

• Submit Return-to-Work Documents: After each medical visit, submit a Return-to-Work Authorization Form signed by the provider. Generic notes (e.g., “can work”) are not accepted. HR must approve documentation before returning to work.

• Follow All Medical Instructions: Adhere to all restrictions and attend follow-up appointments. Report any condition changes to HR.

• Failure to Report Timely: Delayed or incomplete reporting may result in delayed benefits, OSHA violations, and corrective action, up to and including termination. This applies to both team members and supervisors responsible for timely reporting, documenting, and escalating injury claims.