Employment Injury
What is Employment Injury Benefit?
It is a payment to insured persons who are incapable of work because of
an injury sustained as a result of an accident occurring on the job, or
certain types of diseases which one may contract as a result of the work
which he or she is required to perform.Benefits included under the
employment injury are disablement, constant attendance, medical
expenses, injury, funeral and death.
It is mandatory for all employers to contribute 1 % for all employees
(regardless of age) for employment injury overage. All Self-employed
persons regardless of the age are covered for employment injury
benefits. Those age 60 and over are required to contribute only 1%.
How to claim Employment Injury Benefit
* Report the accident to your employer or Supervisor immediately
* Visit your doctor immediately, or go to the hospital. Ask the doctor
to certify your injury on the Employment Injury Form
* Complete and sign the claim form and submit to the National Insurance
Scheme as soon as possible
* Employers are required to investigate the circumstances of an alleged
accident and submit a written report to the Board as soon as
possible.
Duration of Employment Injury Benefit
Injury Benefit is paid up to a maximum period of 26 weeks from the date
of incapacity, as long as the incapacity exists. After that period a
medical doctor must re-assess the disability to determine eligibility
for the Disablement Benefit.
What is the Daily Rate of Benefit?
The daily rate of Injury Benefit is 70% of average weekly insurable
earnings of the insured person divided by six.
Medical Expenses
A person qualifies for a refund of expenses reasonably incurred in the
treatment of an employment injury or a prescribed disease.
What Payments are Made?
* Medical, surgical, dental and hospital treatment, skilled nursing
services and the supply of medicines.
* The supply of, fitting, maintenance, repair and renewal of artificial
limbs, dentures, spectacles and other apparatus and appliances.
* The cost of traveling for the purpose of obtaining any of the above.
* Fees for airfares, costs of hospitalization and operations undertaken
abroad will be paid only if prior approval was received from the
National Insurance Board. If this is not done, the claim will be
restricted to EC$1000.
* The amount of any such fees and charges that may be refunded under
this part in any case shall be determined by the Director.
How to Claim Medical Expenses
All original receipts for medication, doctor’s fees, traveling,
hospitalization etc., must be submitted with your claim.
Details of the nature of treatment which was received must be indicated
on the form.
Direct Payment for Medical Expenses by the Board The Board may pay
directly to a Medical Practitioner or Institution instead of refunding
the insured person.