Last updated : July 7, 2025
A workers’ comp drug test isn’t required every time that an employee files a claim. However, certain conditions warrant the test. Employers document these conditions in their company drug testing policies to comply with the conditions set by their workers’ comp insurance company.
Employers pay workers’ compensation insurance premiums to ensure that employees who suffer job-related injuries and illnesses receive benefits while they are unable to work. The program is state-regulated in regard to the laws and the programs available. There is also a federally regulated workers’ comp program, however, it’s largely reserved for federal employees only.
For the most part, employees with work-related injuries or illnesses can apply for and receive workers’ comp benefits no matter who was at fault. However, there are some limitations.
USA Mobile Drug Testing’s customized drug-testing program ensures full compliance with all state laws and regulations across the nation. Workers’ Compensation insurance companies entrust us to complete the accident or injury claim process in the more dire cases that require a drug test.
A drug-free workplace
Many state workers’ comp programs offer employers a premium discount when they take part in the state-regulated drug-free program, with good reason.
Drugs in the workplace pose a huge safety risk for everyone. Drug use affects thinking and motor skills. Employees can experience a misguided sense of time and space. Some drugs cause drowsiness, clouded judgment, clumsiness, or other side effects that can result in a workplace accident.
Not only does the employee put themselves at risk, but they put everyone around them at risk as well.
It’s a proven fact that employers who implement employee drug-testing programs reduce the number of workers’ comp claims filed. In fact, there’s a decrease in workplace accidents as a whole.
Workers’ comp claims pertaining to an injury accident or a catastrophic injury require drug testing to aid investigators in determining the cause.
Post-accident claims
Drugs and alcohol are the number one cause of workplace accidents. It’s for that reason that workers’ compensation insurance companies include post-accident drug testing in their drug-testing policies. If an employee tests positive for drug use in a post-accident situation, it shields employers and their workers’ comp providers from legal and financial liability.
Employees who suffer an injury on the job that requires off-site medical attention but not hospitalization are likely to file a workers’ comp claim to supplement their household income until they can return to work. A positive drug test may mean there will be no benefits paid at all. It can also mean a reduction in the benefits provided. It depends on the employer and workers’ comp policies.
Refusal to submit to the test can equate to the refusal of benefits as well. Actually, in all likelihood, refusal to test will wind up costing them their job too.
Catastrophic claims
Catastrophic workers’ comp claims only account for 1% of workers’ compensation claims overall. Even so, the payout consistently accounts for around 20% of the annual losses because it’s hard to determine the cost of a life-changing injury. The continued rise in medical costs, of course, poses the biggest problem when trying to estimate the total overall cost going forward.
Injuries included in the catastrophic category are:
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Multiple trauma injuries
- Death
Not only are these workers’ comp payouts extremely high, but an employer may suffer devastating financial loss if they are found at fault in the case of a catastrophic accident. It’s crucial to discover if drug use was a contributing factor in any way to prevent an unwarranted negative impact on both entities.
Employers notify their workers’ comp insurance company immediately when accidents occur. The insurance company begins the post-accident claim process by obtaining the necessary release forms and drafting a preservation letter to preserve a portion of the blood collected upon the employee’s admission.
To determine impairment at the time of the accident, it’s critical to administer the drug test as soon as possible. It’s best to collect the specimen no more than two hours after the accident occurred. However, it’s often hard to get the process started and receive the necessary court-ordered release forms within such a short period. That is why workers’ comp companies request a portion of the initial blood sample be reserved for drug testing.
The preservation letter requests that the hospital hold all specimens collected upon admission for drug testing once all proper documentation is in place.
The drug test
A blood test is used for post-accident and catastrophic claim drug testing. It detects current impairment by identifying the parent drug. Other test methods identify drug metabolites created after passing through the metabolization process. Therefore, even though urine tests are the most widely used drug tests, they don’t provide sufficient evidence of current impairment.
The result
A positive drug test usually results in the denial of benefits in the following instances:
- The employee was under the influence of alcohol or impaired by drug use at the time of the incident.
- An investigation proves that drug or alcohol use caused the accident.
The fact that the employee was impaired doesn’t automatically make the accident their fault. If there were any other contributing factors to the injury other than drug use, the employee may still be eligible to receive benefits. Employers follow directives established in the company policy which are influenced by their workers’ comp provider.
Count on USAMDT
Overall, workers’ compensation insurance protects both the employer and their employees. If you’re a workers’ comp insurance provider, USAMDT can provide you with exceptional service when you need to roll on a post-accident or catastrophic claim.
We have years of experience in this field and a dedicated team that specifically handles these types of cases nationwide. We also realize that time is of the essence because there are deadlines to meet.
When you partner with USAMDT, we will collect a portion of the initial blood sample taken at the hospital for drug testing without fail. First, though, we’ll gather all the required documentation leading up to that moment.
This process usually includes the following steps:
- Obtaining a release signed by the donor
- Receiving permission from the lab used by the hospital to obtain a blood specimen
- Subpoena submission to have a blood sample preserved, otherwise known as a preservation letter
- Coordinate someone to collect the sample and have it immediately packaged and shipped to us for testing
The value of drug testing in the workplace proves itself over and over. By weeding out employees who abuse drugs, employers are better able to ensure a safe work environment for all. That includes other employees, customers, and, in the case of those regulated by the DOT, everyone on the highways and byways of our great nation.
Join other satisfied workers’ compensation insurance providers and allow USA Mobile Drug Testing to handle your post-accident and catastrophic claim drug testing. Then, rest assured that you will see a job well done.