An accident at work is a fatal event occurring while one is carrying out a work activity or on the way to or from work, the so-called commuting accident. Its consequences are temporary or permanent inability of the employee to perform the job or death. To protect the worker and his family, to ensure that he receives adequate pay during the days of absence, or that surviving family members can benefit from concrete help, the Italian state has provided for compulsory insurance cover.
The benefits provided to protect workers against the risk of:
- Accidents in the workplace
- Occupational diseases
All insured workers engaged in professional or commercial activities that, depending on their nature, may expose them to the aforementioned dangers are covered by accident social security.
When it comes to occupational disease, this protection is available through a “mixed” system. This means that any additional ailment that the employee can demonstrate is related to his or her professional activity is also deemed an occupational disease, in addition to those included in the reference tables.
Insurance premiums (for which the employer is responsible) and social security accident benefits are handled by INAIL, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work and Occupational Disease. The cost of the health services and human resources involved (e.g. emergency response and general medical services) is covered by the National Health Service (SSN).
From 1 July 2013, the claim/notification of the accident and occupational disease (submitted directly by the applicant or a member of the family, or through Patronati, legal entities providing assistance free of charge) must be submitted exclusively electronically using the form available on the portal http://www.inail.it/.
Often the sum received doesn’t correspond to the correct and fair compensation owed to the injuries suffered, for this reason, only the assistance of a lawyer can enable the ‘affronted’ worker to obtain what is entitled to them.
BIMAS lawyers can help you to analyse the different situations that establish the proper compensation owed, according to the type of work-related injury suffered.
