A work accident is a contingency linked to the development of a work activity.
A work accident is a contingency that occurs to a person within the framework of their work activity or while they are traveling from their home to their place of employment (or vice versa). The legislation provides protection to workers against these types of accidents.
It should be noted that accident is a term that derives from accĭdens , a Latin word. This is the event that causes involuntary damage or that modifies the usual state of events. Work , for its part, is a concept with several uses: in this case we are interested in its meaning as the activity that is carried out in exchange for economic remuneration.
The concept
Work accidents can have different degrees of severity. In some cases, they cause barely any discomfort and leave no sequelae. In others, however, they cause injuries that may be temporary or permanent. There are work accidents that even cause the death of the worker.
Given these potential effects, working people must have coverage . Such protection is usually provided through an insurance company , whose payment is usually the obligation of the company that hires the worker.
Types of work accidents
In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to be clear about the situations that are considered work accidents:
- Accidents called in itinere , which are those that occur when the employee goes to or returns from his or her workplace.
- Accidents on mission . Under such a singular name are those suffered by the worker during the journey that takes him, by order of his boss, from the workplace to a place that has been indicated to him.
- The accidents suffered by union delegates carrying out this work, both in the place where they carry it out and when arriving or leaving it.
- The illnesses that were had but that have worsened as a result of the work that is done.
- Accidents suffered while properly carrying out the tasks entrusted to them in the workplace.
- Diseases that are acquired and that derive exclusively from employment.
It is important to take safety measures to prevent workplace accidents and minimize their effects.
The case of Spain
In Spain , the employer is responsible for contributing, on a monthly basis, to Social Security for all his workers. In this way, what it is doing is that, in the event that they suffer a work accident, they can exercise various rights, among which the following stand out:
- Right to temporary disability benefit.
- Right to healthcare.
- Right to the relevant benefit for permanent disability.
- Right to compensation in case of death in a work accident.
- Right to compensation for injury that is not disabling.
Example of a work accident
Suppose that a worker working on the construction of a building breaks his leg after falling from a scaffold. This individual not only has the right to continue receiving his salary even if he cannot work due to the accident: he must also have his medical expenses covered and, if applicable, receive compensation . The company that hired you, in fact, is required by law to assume these obligations.
That is why it is important that workers are registered and have an employment contract : otherwise, in the event of a work accident, the employer may try to avoid taking responsibility.