GQ Corner

Q. I am trying to confirm what day the early filing date is and late filing date is for a SIBs quarter.

A. The claimant should not file the DWC-52 more than 20 days before the beginning of a quarter. However, if the claimant does file it more than 20 days before the beginning of the quarter, the carrier shall return the DWC-52 to the claimant with instructions on when the form is required to be filed. See Rule 130.104(c). Although that same rule provides that the DWC-52 shall be filed no later than 7 days before the beginning of the quarter, so long as it is filed by the first day of the quarter, DWC shall consider it timely per Rule 130.105(a).

Q. Claimant’s injury occurred after she arrived at work, and was on her way to clock in for her shift. Approximately 10 minutes before her shift, she was walking through a greenhouse when she slipped on some ice, falling to the ground fracturing her right wrist. The employer has confirmed that employees need to walk through this greenhouse to get to the office where the time clock is located. Would this claim be considered compensable even though it occurred prior to the injured worker clocking in for her shift?

A. Yes, the claim is 100% compensable. It would not matter that the injury occurred prior to or after she clocked in/out. She is on the employer’s premises preparing to work. It is compensable.