What is a Work Accident?

A work accident is defined in Article 13 of Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510. According to this, a work accident occurs:

• While at the workplace,
• Due to work being carried out by the employer,
• During times spent without performing their main work due to being sent to another location on duty,
• During times allocated for breastfeeding mothers to nurse their children as per labor legislation,
• During commute to and from the workplace in transportation provided by the employer.

Rights After a Work Accident

1. Temporary Incapacity Allowance

The insured person who has had a work accident receives temporary incapacity allowance from SSI for each day they cannot work during treatment.

2. Permanent Incapacity Income

Permanent incapacity income is granted to the insured person who loses at least 10% of their professional earning capacity as a result of a work accident.

3. Material and Moral Compensation

A worker who has had a work accident can file a material and moral compensation lawsuit against the employer. These compensations cover:

• Treatment expenses
• Loss of earnings
• Losses due to reduction or loss of working capacity
• Losses arising from the disruption of economic future

The statute of limitations in work accident compensation cases is 10 years from the date of the accident. However, if it occurred as a result of a criminal act, the criminal statute of limitations applies.