What rights does an employee have in the event of a workplace accident?

1. Free medical treatment

An employee who is injured in an accident at work is entitled to full medical treatment free of charge (in hospital, from specialist doctors, physiotherapy, etc.).

In most cases, the employee is referred to a designated accident doctor for work-related injuries (Durchgangsarzt).

2. Injury benefit (Verletztengeld)

If the employee is unable to work after the accident, they receive injury benefit (Verletztengeld) from the statutory accident insurance (Berufsgenossenschaft).

This benefit is paid after the employer’s continued wage payment period (the first 6 weeks) has ended and usually amounts to around 80% of the employee’s last net salary.

3. Rehabilitation

The accident insurance covers all costs of medical and vocational rehabilitation: physiotherapy, vocational training, special medical equipment and devices, and rehabilitation measures to return to work or to adapt to a permanent impairment.

4. Permanent compensation (pension) in case of disability

If the occupational accident leads to a partial or permanent loss of earning capacity, the employee is entitled to an accident pension (Unfallrente) from the accident insurance.

The amount of this pension is calculated based on the degree of disability and the employee’s previous income.

5. Protection against dismissal

During the period of treatment or rehabilitation after an occupational accident (Unfall), the employee may not be dismissed arbitrarily and enjoys special protection against dismissal.

6. Additional rights

• Reimbursement of necessary travel expenses for treatment or medical examinations.

• Reimbursement for the purchase of medical aids (for example, a wheelchair, prostheses, etc.).

• Social and psychological support in cases of severe disability (counselling, integration and inclusion programmes).

• Compensation for family members in the event of death caused by an occupational accident (widow’s/widower’s and orphan’s pensions – Witwen-/Waisenrente).

7. Duty to report and procedures

The accident must be reported to the employer immediately and registered with the competent occupational accident insurance institution (Berufsgenossenschaft).

All medical and administrative reports should be kept, and treatment must be continued in accordance with the instructions of the doctors and the insurance provider.

If problems arise or benefits are refused, you have the right to consult an insurance or social law attorney or your trade union.

Brief summary

Free treatment, financial compensation, protection against dismissal, support with rehabilitation and a permanent pension in case of disability.

Condition: immediate reporting of the accident and ongoing follow-up with the insurance bodies and medical institutions.

Disclaimer

The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information by conducting in-depth research and consulting multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may not be fully verified. Therefore, please regard the information contained in these articles as an initial reference only and always contact the competent authorities or professional bodies to obtain confirmed and binding information.