Occupational disease

An occupational disease is a temporary or permanent illness, or physical or mental disability, suffered by the insured due to a recurring cause arising from the nature of the work or its conditions. It differs from an occupational accident, which stems from a sudden event, in that it develops over time.

Respiratory diseases in mining, hearing loss in noisy work and musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive jobs are typical examples. The occupational origin must be established by an authorised medical board and recognised by the social security institution, with regulatory schedules linking diseases to types of work.

Upon recognition, the insured receives allowances and income similar to those for occupational accidents, and employer fault may additionally give rise to damages liability. Less well known is that claims may still be made within a statutory liability period for diseases emerging after the employment has ended.