A revision to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act that went into effect this year stipulates that injuries suffered while going to and from work via typical routes and methods are to be considered industrial accidents. (Image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service disclosed on January 9 a manufacturing worker who had sustained an injury during the trip home from work had been granted workers’ compensation coverage, making the unnamed individual the first to be the beneficiary of an expanded industrial insurance coverage that extends to work commutes.
A revision to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act that went into effect this year stipulates that injuries suffered while going to and from work via typical routes and methods are to be considered industrial accidents.
The individual at the center of this novel treatment of workplace accident compensation was on the way home at 8 a.m. on January 4 after pulling an all-nighter at a textile manufacturing firm in Dalseong County, Daegu.
Per usual, the individual was heading towards the bus stop to return home, when he or she tripped over a rock and fell, with a later visit to a physician revealing a broken right arm.
The individual was hospitalized, and while bedridden, filed a workers’ comp claim with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service. As previously noted, the claim was approved, after the state-operated insurance authority concluded from its investigation that the injury in question was suffered while going to and from work via a typical route and method.
Per usual, the individual was heading towards the bus stop to return home, when he or she tripped over a rock and fell, with a later visit to a physician revealing a broken right arm. (Image: Korea Bizwire)
Designation as an industrial accident has guaranteed the individual a wide range of benefits. Coverage extends to medical treatment and temporary disability benefits. In addition, should the injury cause lingering physical ailments after treatment is over, the individual can apply for disability stipends.
Temporary disability stipends amount to 70 percent of average wages. Should per-day stipends fall below 60,240 won, the minimum wage for one eight-hour day of employment (7,530 won x eight hours), the worker will receive 60,240 won per day rather than 70 percent of average wages.
Other benefits offered to returning injured employees are counseling and job skills assessment services.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
