How to file for injury at work

How to apply

1. Fill in the application for medical care benefits (요양급여신청서).
2. Get a medical opinion (소견서) from the hospital. If it is hard to get one on the set form (the first medical certificate, 초진소견서), ask the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service whether you can submit an ordinary medical certificate or opinion instead.
3. Attach a document describing how the accident happened.
4. Submit it to the branch of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service that covers the workplace address. In person, by post or by fax are all possible, and online submission works through the employment and industrial accident insurance total service.

You do not need the company to confirm it

In the past the application needed the employer's confirmation. That requirement was abolished on 1 January 2018. Now the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service checks the employer's opinion itself and decides. The employer may only give an opinion — they cannot block your application.

How long does it take

The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service must decide whether to pay within 7 days from the day it receives a medical care benefit application, and notify both the applicant and the employer.

If the company tries to stop you

• If it is recognized as an industrial accident, you can receive medical costs, temporary disability benefits and disability benefits, depending on the requirements. If the company says to handle it only with private insurance, get counseling at 1350.
• Even if you already paid the hospital bill yourself, you can claim it back later. Keep the receipts.
• If the company obstructs you, that itself is a problem. Get counseling at 1350.