An increasing number of insurance indemnities are being paid out for occupational accidents

In 2014, SEB Elu- ja pensionikindlustus provided indemnities for 41 occupational accidents. Statistics for the most recent years show that the number of insured events related to occupational accidents is in an upward trend.

According to Indrek Holst, Chairman of the Management Board of SEB Elu- ja Pensionikindlustus, life insurance is a question of responsibility. “Employers are accepting greater responsibility – they are investing in the quality of the working environment, conducting thorough training, but also registering occupational accidents more often and in a more honest manner than before. Even so, there is always the possibility of unforeseen events occurring, which is why the next responsible step would be insuring the life of one’s employees,” says Holst.

According to SEB Elu- ja pensionikindlustus data from 2014, the most common causes of occupational accidents are, for example, falls or getting a hand or foot stuck between working equipment. “Accidents, which often seem to be minor, could affect the victim’s health for an extended period of time. In the case of temporary incapacity for work, based on our client statistics, the average treatment period is 47 days. Recovery may take longer than initially expected, it may be necessary to be away from work for an extended period, and sometimes adjustments need to be made to life at home,” says Holst. “The employer, on the other hand, is missing a valuable employee during that period.”

While in 2013 SEB Elu- ja pensionikindlustus paid out insurance indemnities for occupational accidents in the total sum of more that EUR 12,000, then in 2014 indemnities were paid in the sum of over EUR 41,000. The average indemnity per case is over EUR 1000. “This enables the employer to support their employee or their close ones, or to cover costs related to the occupational accident,” says Holst.

Number of occupational accidents on the rise
An occupational accident may be regarded as damage to an employee’s health or their death, which occurred while carrying out their work assignments, or is related to the nature of the work or the working environment. According to the National Institute for Health Development, in 2014 there were 4448 occupational accidents registered, out of which in 3581 cases the employees received a minor injury, in 852 cases serious injuries, and 15 occupational accidents resulted in the death of an employee. When compared to 2013, the number of registered occupational accidents has grown by 477 cases. Serious occupational accidents are twice as common among men as among women. According to the Labour Inspectorate, the fields where occupational accidents were the most common in 2014 were the ones where more men are engaged: public administration and national defence, metalworking, commerce, construction, transport and warehouse management.

For more information:

Evelin Allas
Communications Manager
Marketing and Communications Division
SEB
Phone +372 665 5649
Mobile +372 511 1718
Address Tornimäe 2, 15010 Tallinn
E-mail evelin.allas@seb.ee
www.seb.ee

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