Workers Compensation Program
VAIL RESORTS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Program, Policies and Procedures Vail Resorts provides workers’ compensation benefits as directed by local law to cure the effects of an accepted occupational injury or illness. The decisions regarding what is accepted and what is not will be made by our Third Party Administrator (TPA) who VRI has engaged to administer our workers’ compensation benefits. Vail Resorts management does not make the decision on accepted or denied claims.
What is covered and what is not? This is generally defined as “arising out of and in the course of employment,” i.e. an injury resulting from the performance of your work activities. If you venture outside what is considered your paid employment, the incident may not be covered. Again, our TPA will make all those decisions.
Injuries that occur under the following scenarios are generally not covered by Workers’ Compensation:
Injuries that occur while free skiing/riding; this includes work breaks and lunch breaks.
Injuries that occur while traveling to or from a job assignment using an indirect or inappropriate route to the destination; or an alternative mode of transport not specified in the departmental manual.
Injuries that occur while commuting to and from work.
Injuries that occur while participating in voluntary activities, which may include voluntary training.
Keep in mind, each claim is fact specific and the above is not intended to discourage the reporting of what may be a work injury.
These standards apply whether the employee is in or out of a resort uniform, clocked in or out, or working outside of their home department.
Coverage skiing/riding to and from assignments – If you are at your base location or a recognized meeting area for your resort and must start or finish a work assignment somewhere other than your current location, you must use ground transportation or the approved route for your mountain. See your Resort’s section for details.
*Colorado Only – The Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act provides for a 50% reduction of benefits if you are determined to have acted unsafely and/or violated a safety rule. The reduction is also available if you are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. ALWAYS be safe!
EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF BENEFITS, YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
Report incident the same day upon knowledge. Report the incident to your supervisor. If a supervisor is not available, then report to a manager or a designated department personnel.
Attend all medical appointments – missed appointments are unacceptable. Appointments are to be scheduled outside your normal work shift.
Return to transitional duty when offered and medically prudent. Vail Resorts® has a very defined transitional duty program and will return you to work when you are released with temporary work restrictions by the treating physician. The workers’ compensation department will work with local management to facilitate your return to work once released.
Keep home department updated on any changes in medical/work status. You are responsible to ensure that your supervisor receives current work restrictions and/or full duty release documentation in a timely manner, defined as the day of\ your medical appointment.
Fully participate in work comp process from start to finish. This means returning phone calls to your adjuster, returning calls to our internal workers’ compensation staff, your supervisor, doctor and all other involved parties.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Vail Resorts has designated occupational medical facilities across the system. This is your first stop after reporting an occupational injury or illness. Your supervisor or manager will provide a list of designated medical facilities at the time of reporting. If you choose not to seek medical treatment at the time of reporting, then any subsequent decision to seek treatment must be done at the designated medical facility, absent the need for “emergency” treatment. If you are seen at an ER, you will be scheduled to be seen at the designated medical facility at the first available appointment.