Labour law

What should you do after an injury at work?

Huquqchi legal team

Tell the employer at once and get medical help. The employer must investigate and record the accident at work. The employer considers your application for compensation of the harm within ten days; if you do not agree with the decision, you can apply to the court.

The first steps

1) Get medical help and keep the medical document. 2) Notify the employer in writing — under article 355 of the Labour Code, the employee must notify the employer at once about any accident at work. 3) Record the witnesses.

The investigation

Under article 366 of the Labour Code, an accident at work is subject to an obligatory investigation and record; the Cabinet of Ministers sets the procedure of the investigation. You have the right to take part in the investigation in person or through your representative (article 355). Demand a copy of the document that closes the investigation — without it, later payments are hard to obtain.

What you are entitled to

The employer must compensate the harm from a labour injury, unless the employer proves that the harm was caused without their fault (article 321). The compensation includes a one-time benefit, monthly payments for the lost wages, and compensation of extra costs — treatment, prosthetics, medicines, and sanatorium treatment (articles 322 and 325). Moral harm caused by unlawful acts of the employer is also compensated (article 335).

If you do not agree

Give the employer the application for compensation of the harm. The employer considers it within ten days and hands over a copy of the order or a reasoned refusal within three days. If you do not agree with the decision, or you get no answer, you can apply to the court (article 336). The State Labour Inspectorate supervises compliance with the labour protection rules.

Legal sources

Legal basisLabour Code, article 321 Legal basisLabour Code, article 366 Legal basisLabour Code, article 336

This article gives legal information, not legal advice. For your own situation, consult a qualified lawyer.