A workplace accident can have a major impact — not only on your health, but also on your job and income. If you become temporarily or permanently unable to work because of an accident at work, it’s important to know your rights and to get the right help to claim the compensation you deserve.
At Kracht! Letselschade, we’re here to help. We support you in claiming fair compensation so that you can focus on your recovery and your future.
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What does “work disability” mean?
After a workplace accident, you may become unable to work — either temporarily or permanently. This means you can no longer perform your job in the same way as before the accident.
When is your employer liable?
In most cases, your employer is liable for the consequences of a workplace accident and must compensate your damages, including loss of income. Employers are legally required to provide a safe working environment and must prove that they did everything reasonably possible to ensure your safety. In practice, this is often difficult to prove.
If this duty of care was not met and you were injured as a result, your employer is usually liable for your damages — even if the accident was caused by a colleague.
What happens if you become unable to work?
Continued payment of wages
Your employer is required to continue paying (part of) your salary for the first two years of your illness. This is usually 70% of your last earned wage, although your employment contract or collective labour agreement (CAO) may provide more favourable terms.
Reintegration
Your employer must work with you to create a plan to help you return to work.
WIA benefit
If you’re still unable to work after two years, you can apply for a WIA benefit (Wet Werk en Inkomen naar Arbeidsvermogen) from the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency).
Personal injury claim
In addition to continued wage payment or benefits, you can file a personal injury claim against your employer to recover your losses.
What to do after a workplace accident
- Report the accident
Notify your employer immediately and make sure the accident and any injuries are properly documented. - Seek medical attention
Visit your GP, a hospital, or a specialist to have your injuries examined and treated. This is important not only for your health but also for documenting your injuries as part of your claim. - Ask colleagues or witnesses for a statement
Write down the details of witnesses and ask them to describe what happened. Take photos of the scene if possible, or ask someone else to do so. If your employer has an internal accident report system, request a copy. - Get professional help
It’s wise to seek legal advice from a personal injury specialist like Kracht! Letselschade. We help you hold your employer liable and claim fair compensation. - Cooperate with reintegration
Participate actively in your reintegration process, but make sure to get proper guidance along the way.
Which damages can you claim?
If you’ve suffered personal injury due to a workplace accident and your employer is liable, you’re entitled to compensation. This compensation covers both material and non-material damages (compensation for pain and suffering).
Material damages:
- Medical treatments
- Hospital costs
- Medication
- Rehabilitation
- Medical aids and equipment
- Travel expenses
- Loss of income
Non-material damages (compensation for pain and suffering):
This covers harm that can’t be expressed in money, such as pain, suffering, psychological distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How much compensation can you receive?
The amount of compensation after a workplace accident depends on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life. Injuries are usually divided into seven categories — from minor to exceptionally severe.
It’s wise to seek expert legal support to assess your specific case. Calculating personal injury compensation is complex and depends on many personal factors.
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The added value of Kracht! Letselschade lies in our personal attention and dedicated service. After an injury, there’s often more possible than you might think.
Free legal assistance after a workplace accident
If your employer is liable for the accident, the costs are usually recovered from the liable party, as established in Article 6:96 of the Dutch Civil Code. This means our legal assistance is often completely free of charge once liability is acknowledged.
A lot can come your way after a workplace accident. The specialists at Kracht! Letselschade are here to help you claim the compensation you deserve. Choose Kracht! because:
- Your case isn’t just a file number — you’ll always have one dedicated specialist as your main contact.
- We always visit you in person — at home, at work, or in the hospital — wherever you feel most comfortable.
- If necessary, we visit the scene of the accident to get a complete picture and help you as effectively as possible.
- We dig deep into your case and never let go. We’re creative, persistent, and go the extra mile — especially when others give up.
- We work with a network of experienced litigation lawyers, in case legal proceedings become necessary.
The certainty of being in good hands
Kracht! is certified under the National Personal Injury Quality Mark (NKL). Our experienced experts are also members of the Dutch Institute of Registered Experts (NIVRE), the Dutch Institute of Claims Adjusters (NIS), and the Dutch Association of Personal Injury Experts (NLE).
This guarantees that you’re assisted by an experienced personal injury specialist whose expertise is always up to date — and who puts your interests first, every time.