Let’s check the special regulations on work-related injuries in the United States, Japan, Germany, and India

Countries around the world have legislation protecting the rights of injured workers, including some with special provisions.

• United States: Cash Compensation Required After 3-7 Days of Recovery

US workers' compensation generally consists of two main parts: immediate medical care and cash compensation for lost wages after a 3-7 day waiting period. For cash compensation, each US state's workers' compensation law stipulates a 3-7 day waiting period. If the employee recovers during this period, they can only receive free medical care and not cash compensation. Cash compensation is only available after the 3-7 day waiting period, and the calculation of cash compensation usually goes back to the date of injury. Cash compensation is calculated weekly, typically two-thirds of the employee's weekly wage before the injury; however, many states have increased this percentage.

• Japan: Injured Workers Also Receive Old-Age Allowances

In Japan, workers' compensation benefits are mainly reflected in two aspects: insurance and labor welfare benefits. Insurance benefits include recuperation (treatment) compensation, leave compensation, old-age allowances, and survivor's allowances. This means that after a work-related injury, the employee receives treatment at a specialized work injury hospital, and all treatment costs are covered by work injury insurance. If an employee is unable to work and receive wages due to a work injury, the work injury insurance fund pays 60% of their basic wage daily starting from the fourth day of recovery. Disability compensation is provided as an annuity or a one-time subsidy based on the level of disability. In the event of death due to a work injury, survivor's annuities or a one-time subsidy, and funeral expenses are provided. Old-age allowances are provided to disabled employees in their later years. Labor welfare payments are more extensive, including rehabilitation treatment, survivor's benefits, changes to labor regulations, and improvements in working conditions.

• Germany: Domestic Helpers Also Have Work Injury Insurance

German work injury insurance covers all individuals with work, service, or counseling contracts, regardless of their income. This includes domestic helpers, artists, regularly registered unemployed individuals, and farm workers. The plan also covers some public sector personnel, such as those in healthcare, welfare work, and other government or public service positions. Furthermore, the self-employed are also covered by work injury insurance. Government officials, religious figures, private doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and unpaid domestic workers protected by special regulations are exempt from workers' compensation insurance.

• India: Employers Liable for Negligence

India's government agency handling workers' compensation disputes, under the Workers' Compensation Act, is only responsible for handling one-off payments such as survivor's and disability benefits. Non-statutory workers' compensation benefits can also be adjudicated by this agency. If the agency determines the employer is at fault, it can order the employer to pay compensation. If the court finds the employer at fault, the awarded fine will be used to pay the employee's benefits.

(Source: Labor Daily)