Employment Accidents Compensation Board

The Employment Accidents Compensation Board operates as part of the Workers’ Compensation Center. The Board has a legal duty to promote the consistency of compensation practices in accordance with the Workers’ Compensation Act. The Employment Accidents Compensation Board issues general guidelines and opinions.

General guidelines by the Employment Accidents Compensation Board

The Board issues general guidelines on compensation practices, particularly when required by changes in legislation or otherwise for promoting the consistency of the compensation system.

Procedure for requesting a statement from the Board

The insurance company must request a statement from the Employment Accidents Compensation Board for its proposed decision if the case involves a fundamental, legal or medical question open to interpretation before issuing the claim decision. A statement must also be requested if processing the case in the Board is otherwise necessary in order to promote the consistency of compensation practices.

Decree (1568/2015) of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health lists cases in which the insurance company must request a statement by the Employment Accidents Compensation Board. However, the insurance company’s right to request a statement is not limited to the cases listed in the Decree.

The request for a statement by the Employment Accidents Compensation Board is always made by the insurance company. After the Board has issued its statement on the insurance company’s proposed decision, the insurance company gives its decision on the matter. The insurance company’s decision may be appealed.

Statements issued by the Employment Accidents Compensation Board are advisory in nature. They are not binding on the insurance company. The statement must be enclosed with the company’s decision.

Composition of the Employment Accidents Compensation Board

The Employment Accidents Compensation Board consists of a chairman, three lawyer members, four labour market members, at least five medical experts, and a necessary number of deputies, all of whom are appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for a period of up to three years at a time.

The Board is chaired by a representative of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The lawyer members and at least two of the medical experts are selected upon proposal by the Workers’ Compensation Center. Two of the labour market members are selected upon proposal by the employers' leading central organizations, and two upon proposal by the employees' leading central organizations. One of the medical experts is appointed on a proposal by the employers' leading central organizations, and one on a proposal by the employees' leading central organizations.

Government Decree (1468/2015) gives further provisions concerning the function of the Employment Accidents Compensation Board.