What should you do after a workplace accident in Estonia?
Three things at once: report it, have it investigated, and claim the benefit. A serious or fatal workplace accident must be reported by the employer immediately to the police and the Labour Inspectorate. A doctor notifies the Inspectorate of accidents causing temporary incapacity. The employer must investigate every workplace accident and establish the circumstances and causes within ten working days, drawing up a report where required. And that report is your money: where the sick certificate is marked as a workplace accident and the employer has filed the report, the Health Insurance Fund pays 100% of average daily earnings — from the second day of the certificate.
📋 The rules
- Serious accident — police and Inspectorate at once
- The employer investigates within 10 working days
- And draws up a report where needed
- Benefit: 100% of average daily earnings
- From the second day of the certificate
🔓 Exceptions
- An ordinary sick certificate is paid at a lower rate than a workplace accident
- Where the employer breached safety duties, damages can also be claimed
- Both treatment costs and non-pecuniary damage can be claimed
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The difference is threefold — and it turns on a single tick-box. On an ordinary sick certificate the benefit starts only on the fourth day and is 70%; for a workplace accident the Fund pays 100% of average daily earnings from the second day. But that applies only where the certificate is marked as a workplace accident and the employer has filed the report — insist on it. And the employer's liability does not end with the benefit: where they have breached occupational health and safety duties, the employee may claim compensation for treatment costs and for non-pecuniary damage. Practical advice: record everything at once — photographs, witnesses, and see a doctor the same day.
📎 Official sources
- Labour Inspectorate · Workplace accidents →
- Riigi Teataja · Accident investigation rules →
- Health Insurance Fund · Incapacity benefit →
❓ Frequently asked
Who must be notified?
A serious or fatal workplace accident must be reported by the employer immediately to both the police and the Labour Inspectorate. A doctor notifies the Inspectorate of accidents causing incapacity.
How quickly must the employer investigate?
The employer must investigate every workplace accident and establish the circumstances and causes within ten working days, so that similar accidents can be prevented in future.
How large is the benefit?
Where the certificate is marked as a workplace accident and the employer has filed the report, the Health Insurance Fund pays 100 percent of average daily earnings from the second day.
How does an ordinary sick certificate differ?
On an ordinary certificate the benefit starts later and is lower. For a workplace accident it is higher and starts sooner, which is why correct documentation matters so much.
Can I claim damages?
You can. Where the employer breached occupational health and safety duties, the employee may claim compensation for treatment costs and for non-pecuniary damage as well.
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