Image via Flickr user  Slip Fall Lawyers

In my previous entry, I have mentioned about the changes in Workplace Injury Compensation Act (WICA), starting from 1 Jan next year. Today, I would like to focus on the procedures that employers should do during a work injury claim.

When an accident occurs, employers are required to report the accident to MOM (Ministry of Manpower) and their respective insurer. Employers will need to pay the injured all their medical leave wages and expenses that is relating to the work accident.

Some of the important keys to take note during a claim:

– If your worker is holding a Work Permit, you will need to take care of them during their stay in Singapore, including providing adequate food and accommodation. Otherwise, employer’s security bond may be forfeited.

– Employers cannot send a Work Permit Holder home against their wishes if they have an outstanding claim under the Work Injury Compensation ACT (WICA)

– Employees can still claim the compensation within 1 year of accident, even if they are no longer on a work pass.

– Even when employers are still waiting for payment from the insurance company, they must still pay the employee’s medical leave wages and medical expenses first, and get reimbursed later.

Below are the following procedures:

1. Report the accident to MOM (Ministry of Manpower) and insurer.

(At this point, employers will have to continue to pay the medical leave wages and medical expenses while MOM will send you a medical report form shortly.)

2. Send the Medical report form to the hospital or clinic

3. Receive the notice of assessment (NOA)

Employers are required to report a work-related accident to MOM if it results in death of an employee; the employee has taken more than 3 days of MC (whether consecutive or not); the employee was hospitalised for at least 24 hours.

For cases with 3 or less days of MC, employers should report the accident to MOM if employee wish to claim permanent incapacity compensation.

Employers should submit the incident report via iReport within 10 days of the accident or from your employee’s 4^th day of MC or diagnosis of an occupational disease.

If employee submit more MCs, employers will also need to update the incident report.

At any point of time, employers can dispute employee’s claim whether the accident involved is work-related. Should there be a dispute, employers will have to write or send an email to the case officers with reasons and supporting evidence.

Notice of assessment (NOA) will be issued to inform employer, insurer, and the employee of the compensation payable. If no one objects, employer/insurer must pay the employee within 21 days from the date of service on the NOA. (Failure to pay compensation is an offence, punishable by a fine up to $10,000 or jail of up to 12 months, or both.)

See more information on mom.gov.sg