Accident report: simply explained

You have to complete an accident report as soon as you claim medical benefits as a result of an accident.

These are the key points to be included in an accident report:

• When, where and under what circumstances did the accident occur?
• Is it an accident in the legal sense? Deciding whether it is an accident in the sense of the Accident Insurance Act is sometimes not so easy. By law, an accident is defined as “the sudden, unintentional damaging effect of an unusual external factor on the human body, which results in impairment of physical, mental or psychological health or death”. Accidents include, for example, falls, stabs, cuts, burns and traffic accidents.
• Is it an occupational or non-occupational accident? In the case of occupational accidents, it is clarified whether the level of safety at the workplace is sufficiently high and whether the accident prevention regulations have been complied with.
• What is the insured salary and work quota? Any compensation for loss of salary in the event of incapacity for work is calculated on this basis.
• Was the accident caused by gross negligence? Gross negligence is when the person who caused the accident violated his or her duty of care. In this case, the insurer may reduce the benefits.

If you work at least 8 hours a week for the same employer, you’re insured through them for both occupational and non-occupational accidents. In this case, you have to report the accident immediately to your employer. Fill out an accident report to send to your employer’s accident insurance company.

If you are insured against accidents under basic insurance, report the accident to your health insurance company immediately and fill out an accident report form. Sanitas customers can download the accident report form here.

The accident report form has to be completed completely and truthfully.