Our School and Building Engineers, along with their staff, are committed to maintaining a safe environment for both employees and students. Despite these efforts, workplace incidents and injuries can still occur. Please note that you cannot be terminated for reporting an incident or for sustaining a work-related injury.

For detailed information about the benefits available to you while on Workers’ Compensation, refer to the section specific to your Union. You can also visit the Labor Relations webpage, where most contracts are available in electronic format.

Please be advised this is NOT the way to report work place violence, if you were injured in an incident, please continue to the compensation incident form. If you are ONLY reporting work place violence please CLICK HERE

Effective October 24, 2024, a new Workers’ Compensation Incident Claim Form is in use.

To complete the form, you must be logged into your BPS email account. Once logged in, key information (such as your name, employee ID, job title, and location) will automatically populate.

Important Reminders

• Complete all required fields—if you cannot proceed, information is missing

• After submission, you will receive an automated confirmation

• The form cannot be accessed or completed without logging into your BPS email

If you have not accessed your BPS email, contact the IT Help Desk:
ITHelpdesk@buffaloschools.org | 716-816-3510

Important Reminders and Information – Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation provides wage replacement and medical benefits for employees injured or made ill as a direct result of their job.

Return-to-Work Requirements

If you are out due to a work-related injury and are cleared to return with any restrictions (such as lifting limits, sitting/standing limits, use of a brace or mobility aid, or need for special equipment), you must receive approval from both Workers’ Compensation and Human Resources before returning to work.

Medical Documentation

You must submit a doctor’s note after each medical appointment related to your work injury.

Support

The Workers’ Compensation Department is here to assist you through the process and answer any questions.

Fraud Warning

Workers’ Compensation fraud is a serious offense in New York State (Class E felony) and may result in fines, restitution, or incarceration. Fraud includes knowingly providing false or misleading information to obtain or deny benefits.

Workplace Violence Reporting

This process is not for reporting workplace violence.

• If you were injured, complete the Workers’ Compensation Incident Form

• If reporting workplace violence only, or both an incident and violence, complete the incident form first, then follow the separate workplace violence reporting process

🛑STOP🛑 and read the information above.

Before Completing the Accident Form

Please read the information below carefully:

• You must be logged into your BPS email account to complete the form

• All staff are required to log in with their BPS email credentials

• You will receive an automated confirmation message after submitting the form

• Do NOT list any students names or initials, 900# ONLY

• Please be sure to read ALL communication thoroughly that your receive regarding your claim, this includes any auto responses after submitting your claim and any correspondence from the Workers Compensation department. If you do not read all of the information and a process is missed, this will only delay the processing of your claim.

• Please also read the sections on the page below. This is important information and can also delay your claim being processed if directions are not followed.

• Upon completion of the personal accident form and (if applicable) witness accident form, these will automatically be electronically routed to the WC Office, which will contact your Supervisor and our Third Party Administrator (PMA).  Once processed by the WC Office, a claim number will be sent directly to you via email. 

• Please be advised this is NOT the way to report work place violence, if you were injured in an incident, please continue to the compensation incident form. If you are ONLY reporting work place violence or need to report BOTH an incident and workplace violence, please complete continue to the compensation form and then come back and please CLICK HERE

Important:
You cannot complete the form if you are not logged into your BPS email.

If you have not accessed your BPS email, contact the IT Help Desk:
ITHelpdesk@buffaloschools.org | 716-816-3510

Please be sure you have read the above information before you complete this form - Accident Form

Witness Accident Form
To be completed by ALL individuals who were a witness to the incident.

DO NOT list ANY students names on any incident and/or witness forms, list only their 900#

If you are injured at work, you should seek medical attention immediately. You will not be charged time off on the date of injury.

Future medical appointments must be covered using your own accruals, unless your doctor places you out of work.

If you need assistance finding a Workers’ Compensation–authorized provider, you may use one of the LodeStar partners (WC Providers in WNY).

Note: This is not a complete list. You may choose any authorized provider that meets your needs.

PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE BELOW REQUIREMENTS IF YOU ARE OUT OF WORK

Medical Reports (Required)

Your healthcare provider must submit medical reports to the Workers’ Compensation Board and insurer if:

• You are unable to work due to your injury (required for wage benefits)

• You are out of work for an extended period (reports required at least every 90 days)

• Your claim is disputed (needed to review and resolve your claim)

Additional Resources

You are strongly encouraged to review:

• Workers’ Compensation Basic Guide

• Guide for Workers’ Compensation Claims

These resources explain your rights, treatment options, and benefits related to workplace injuries.

As you return to work after a workplace injury, your safety and comfort are our priority.

• You must provide a doctor’s return-to-work release before returning

• If you return with restrictions, the District will work with Human Resources and your supervisor to determine if they can be accommodated

• The District may assign light duty, as permitted by law

Our goal is to support a safe and successful transition back to work.

You have the right to hire an attorney; however, legal representation is optional, and the Buffalo City School District is not responsible for attorney fees.

• If a monetary award is granted, attorney fees may be deducted from the award and paid directly to your attorney

• If no award is granted, fees may be deducted from your sick time accruals or must be paid out of pocket

If you have any further questions, email our Workers' Comp team or call the Workers' Compensation Desk at 716-816-3936.

For an incident that you want on file at your building/location, but are not filing a claim - please use this form

Please be advised this is NOT the way to report work place violence, if you were injured in an incident, please continue to the compensation incident form. If you are ONLY reporting work place violence or need to report BOTH an incident and workplace violence, please complete continue to the compensation form and then come back and please CLICK HERE

PLEASE BE ADVISED

Workers’ compensation fraud is a class E felony in New York State and increases the cost of the workers’ compensation for all New York State Employers.

An employee may be engaging in fraud when he/she misrepresents important facts about an injury in order to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Examples may include reporting or filing a workers’ compensation claim for an injury that did not occur at work, misrepresenting an employment status while collecting workers’ compensation benefits; or falsely reporting the severity of an injury.

Some indications of employee fraud may include:

• Unwitnessed accident

• Employee’s description of accident is vague or inconsistent

• Fellow employees are describing the accident as “staged” or occurring off the job

• Employee discovered working another job while collecting workers’ compensation benefits

• Change of treating physician after employee is cleared to return to work.