Breadcrumb
Resources for Injured Workers
The Office of Administration’s Central Accident Reporting Office (CARO) is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way until your workplace injury claim is fully resolved. Follow the steps below to ensure a quick, accurate submission for review and a timely claim resolution.
For life-threatening injuries, visit the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911.
Steps for Reporting an Injury
1. Inform your supervisor.2. Call a nurse at 800-624-2354.3. Report your injury through the Portal.Visit and click Go to the Workplace Injury Portal.4. Verify Identity
- Select Employee Type.
- Click the
icon by Injured Worker. - Type the last four digits of your Social Security Number, Last Name, Date of Birth, and click Search.
- Select Occupation.
- Click the icon by Injured Worker Work Location and use the filters to locate and select your
specific work location.
- Fill out the questionnaire on the screen completely and accurately.
What to Expect After Reporting
1. Submission Confirmation - You will receive an email confirming that your incident has been successfully submitted and is under initial review.
2. Notice of Claim Status - If approved, you will receive a second email. This email will include additional instructions with your Claims Adjuster’s contact information. (This packet will be attached.)
- Complete and return the Medical Authorization Release Form (last page of packet) to your HR Representative.
- If necessary, please visit CARO’s Workers’ Compensation webpage for other forms.
3. Coordination of Care - Your Claims Adjuster may call you directly to begin coordinating your care and answer any immediate questions.
4. Temporary Modified Duty - Check with your HR Representative to discuss temporary modified duties under the mandatory Early Return to Work Program.
5. Provide work slips to your HR Representative following all doctor visits.
CARO Workers' Compensation Frequently Asked Questions
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Benefits payable to an employee by his or her employer without regard to liability in the case of injury, disability or death as a result of occupational hazards.
Who is covered?
All employees, full or part-time.
What is covered?
Injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment if the accident was the prevailing factor in causing the medical condition and disability.
Time of Coverage
Coverage begins the first minute an employee is on the job and continues while the employee is working.
What about Occupational Diseases?
1. It must arise out of an in the course of employment.
2. It cannot be an “ordinary disease of life”, unless it follows as an incident of
an occupational disease.
3. The occupational exposure was the prevailing factor in causing the medical condition
and disability.
What are the Workers' Compensation Benefits?
- Medical care to cure and relieve the effects of the injury. This includes
doctor’s fees, hospital costs, lab tests, x- rays, pharmacy charges, prosthetic devices, etc. - Payments based on lost wages. These payments are for “temporary disability”, or inability
to work,
authorized by a physician. Payments may also be made if there is a permanent disability-for example, the loss of an eye or the amputation of a finger or limb. - Rehabilitation services. Often this is physical therapy, but should an injury keep
you from returning to your usual job, you may qualify for retraining and vocational
rehabilitation.
How much are the payments?
Two thirds of your weekly wage up to a maximum set by law. Payments will not be made the first three days (the waiting period) during which the employer is open and operating for business unless the disability exceeds fourteen (14) days.
Early Return to Work
The State of Missouri is committed to returning employees injured on the job to temporary modified duty during recovery when feasible. Consult with your human resource officer or CARO regarding the State’s Early Return to Work Program.
A Problem?
Most injuries are handled routinely. However, if you think you have not received all the benefits due you; contact your employer or the Central Accident Reporting Office (CARO). Most questions can be resolved with a single telephone call.
If questions or concerns cannot be resolved by CARO, you may wish to obtain advise
from the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation. If the problem cannot be resolved,
you may wish to file a “formal” claim with the Division. You may desire to obtain
an attorney, however, contacting CARO or the Division may resolve your claim. If not,
your claim may be heard by an administrative law judge.
How to get Benefits.
Check List
- Report all injuries immediately to your employer. Document the time, place, name(s) of witnesses and nature of the injury in a written report.
- If medical treatment is required, you or your employer should contact 1-800-624- 2354, 24 hours a day for the name of an authorized medical care provider in your area, prior to seeking treatment. A pharmacy card may be issued if medications are necessary as prescribed by the authorized treating physician. The State of Missouri will not pay for medical treatment you receive if you do not utilize authorized medical providers. However, you may seek your own medical care with the provider of your choice at your own expense.
- Unless it is an emergency, do not seek aid without informing your employer and going to authorized medical providers
- If it is an emergency, seek initial treatment at the nearest hospital emergency room or medical clinic. Then notify your employer as soon as possible.
- Notify the hospital or clinic that your injury is a workers’ compensation injury and give the name, address and telephone number of your employer.
- Surgeries and the purchase or rental of medical equipment should be preapproved by CARO.
- Mileage may be submitted to CARO for treatment outside the local or metropolitan area from the employee’s principal place of employment.
Workers’ compensation benefits may be reduced for injuries sustained in conjunction with the use of alcohol or controlled, nonprescribed drugs. Benefits may be forfeited if shown that the use of alcohol or controlled, nonprescribed drugs was the proximate cause of the injury.
Prompt report is the key! Avoid unnecessary delays or denials by notifying your employer immediately of an injury.
Fraudulent action on the part of an employee, employer, or any other person is unlawful and subject to a Class D felony and a fine up to $10,000.
Questions? Contact:
Missouri Office of Administration
Risk Management Section
Central Accident Reporting Office “CARO”
P.O. Box 809 Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-2837
Toll Free: 1-888-622-7694
E-mail: caro@oa.mo.gov