How to Keep Records of Work-Related Injuries

Quick Overview

• All work-related injuries are recorded in the injury log, including those that do not result in a work disability.
• A separate record of a work-related injury is created primarily in cases of incapacity for work lasting longer than three calendar days and in cases of serious or fatal injuries.
• Starting in 2026, records and reports intended for the Labor Inspectorate must be submitted electronically via the State Labor Inspection Office portal.
• An employee should report the accident as soon as possible, secure witnesses, and retain medical reports, photographs, and all communication with the employer.
• The fact that the employer did not prepare a record does not, in and of itself, automatically void the employee’s right to compensation. However, proving the accident may be more complicated.

The new regulation distinguishes between fatal, serious, and other workplace accidents based on the duration of the inability to work or hospitalization. A serious workplace accident includes, among other things, an accident resulting in hospitalization for more than five consecutive calendar days or an accident that is life-threatening.

Is your employer refusing to recognize the accident or has not paid you the full compensation? We will review the evidence and the calculation of individual compensation payments and suggest the next steps.

What Is an Accident Report and Why Is It Important

Under the Labor Code, an employer must investigate the causes and circumstances of a workplace accident and maintain records of all workplace accidents. Effective January 1, 2026, a new government regulation will govern the details of an employer’s obligations regarding workplace accidents.

It is important to distinguish between an entry in the accident log and a separate work-related accident report. The employer records every work-related accident in the accident log, regardless of whether it resulted in an inability to work. A separate report is prepared primarily when the inability to work lasts longer than three calendar days, or in the case of a serious or fatal workplace accident.

The report details the circumstances of the incident, the type of injury, the injured body part, the causes of the accident, and other information relevant to prevention and potential compensation. It serves as significant evidence, but it is not the only possible evidence that a work-related accident occurred.

The accident log and the work-related injury report are not the same thing

The employer maintains an accident log in either paper or electronic form. The employer records all work-related accidents in it, including minor injuries that do not result in a work disability or result in a work disability lasting no more than three calendar days.

The records include, for example:

• the name of the injured employee,
• the date, time, and place of the accident,
• the activity during which the accident occurred,
• the type of injury and the injured body part,
• a description of the accident,
• names of witnesses,
• measures taken to prevent a recurrence of the accident.

A separate report on a work-related injury is prepared for specified categories of injuries, particularly if the inability to work exceeds three calendar days or if the injury is serious or fatal.

Effective January 1, 2026, the employer must file a report and submit the record to the relevant regional labor inspectorate or district mining authority electronically via the State Labor Inspection Office portal. Other recipients are determined based on the type of accident and the specific situation. These may include, for example, the Police of the Czech Republic, a health insurance company, a labor union, an employee representative for occupational safety and health, or the employer’s insurance company.

What are the deadlines for reporting a workplace accident?

The deadline for reporting a workplace accident begins at the moment the accident occurs. The employee is required to report the accident immediately—ideally right away to their immediate supervisor or shift manager. Failure to do so can significantly complicate the claim for compensation. However, it is still possible to report a workplace accident retroactively if evidence is available (e.g., a medical report or witness statements).

The employer is then required to immediately record the accident in the accident log and, if the situation requires it, to complete and distribute the accident report. This report must be prepared without undue delay. In the case of fatal or serious accidents, the report must be prepared and submitted immediately.

Example: An employee injures his back while lifting a heavy load. Although he comes to work the next day, the pain worsens, and two days later he goes to the doctor and is placed on sick leave. If he did not report the injury right away, he should do so as soon as possible and establish a connection to his work duties, ideally with the help of witnesses.

From Lawyers’ Experience: In practice, the biggest problem is often not the absence of a form itself, but a lack of evidence regarding when and during what activity the injury occurred. Employees sometimes report an injury only verbally and only discover several days later that the employer disputes their version of events. Therefore, we recommend sending a brief written report on the day of the injury or as soon as possible thereafter.

Not sure if the available evidence is sufficient to prove a work-related injury? Describe the sequence of events to us, and our attorneys will assess what additional documentation you need to obtain.

How to Properly Fill Out an Accident Report

Filling out a workplace accident report isn’t rocket science, but it does require precision. The template is mandated by an annex to a government regulation and includes several important points. Errors on this form can lead to delays or a denial of compensation by the insurance company.

The report must include:

• the employee’s identifying information,
• the date and time of the accident,
• the exact location and a description of the situation in which the accident occurred,
• the consequences of the accident (e.g., a fracture of the left forearm),
• the names of witnesses,
• preventive measures to prevent a recurrence.

It is good practice to attach a copy of the medical report to the record. We recommend having a pre-filled accident report template ready, which can be easily adapted to the situation.

Does the record contain a statement that you caused the injury yourself? Before signing the document, have it reviewed to ensure that its wording will not reduce your compensation later on.

Specific Situations: School Accidents, Work-Related Accidents Under DPP and DPČ Contracts

Accident reports apply not only to full-time employees but also to individuals working under agreements (DPP and DPČ) and students in schools. Each situation has its own specific characteristics.

Any injury sustained by a child, pupil, or student during educational activities or directly related activities must be recorded in the accident log. The school prepares a separate record in particular if the accident resulted in an absence lasting at least two consecutive school days, if it was a fatal accident, or if there is a likely claim for compensation for pain and suffering or loss of social functioning.

The school must also prepare a record without delay at the request of the legal guardian of a minor student or at the request of an adult student, even if the injury does not meet the standard conditions for mandatory record-keeping. One copy is provided to the adult student or to the legal guardian of a minor student.

In practice, the importance of keeping thorough records for part-time workers or interns is often underestimated. Legally, however, if an injury occurs while performing work, the employer is required to prepare an accident report, even if the employment relationship is irregular.

Work-Related Injuries Under a Contract for Work or a Contract for Services

Work safety rules and liability for work-related accidents also apply to employees working under a contract for the performance of work or a contract for work activities. The employer must therefore also report an accident involving a part-time worker and, depending on its severity, prepare the appropriate record.

An employee’s participation in health insurance may affect their entitlement to sick leave benefits, but it does not affect the employer’s obligation to report the workplace injury or to be liable for damages under the Labor Code. The specific amount of each type of compensation depends on the consequences of the accident and the income the employee lost as a result.

What Is the Purpose of the Work-Related Injury Point System?

The accident report itself does not determine the amount of compensation. However, it serves as one of the bases for claiming compensation, which may include compensation for pain and suffering, impairment of social functioning, loss of earnings, medical expenses, or property damage.

Pain and impairment of social functioning are assessed based on the health consequences of the workplace accident. A physician assigns a point value to each consequence, and the resulting total is then converted using the point value in effect for the relevant period. Impairment of social functioning is generally assessed only after the employee’s health condition has relatively stabilized.

Therefore, the amount of compensation cannot be reliably determined based solely on the name of the injury. The course of treatment, complications, work restrictions, and the long-term impact of the injury on the employee’s daily life are all important factors.

What if the employer fails to issue an accident report or denies the accident?

Whether out of ignorance or intentionally, some employers refuse to acknowledge the injury or to file an accident report. However, if you have witnesses or evidence (e.g., surveillance footage, a medical report), you have the right to defend yourself.

In such a case, we recommend having a doctor confirm that the injury is work-related (e.g., that you were wearing work clothes and using work tools), request that a written accident report be completed, and contact the regional labor inspectorate, which can impose a fine on the employer.

An employee has the right to seek compensation through the courts if the employer does not recognize the injury. In such a case, it is important to have complete documentation and legal representation. The law is on your side, and if the injury actually occurred at work, the employer is objectively liable for it.

The absence of an accident report does not mean that you are not entitled to compensation. It simply means that the process will be a bit more complicated and that you will need legal support.

Summary

The employer must record every workplace injury in the injury log, even if it did not result in an inability to work. A separate record of a workplace accident is prepared, in particular, for cases of incapacity for work lasting longer than three calendar days and for serious or fatal accidents. Starting January 1, 2026, reports and records intended for the labor inspectorate must be submitted electronically via the State Labor Inspection Office portal. The employee should report the accident as soon as possible and retain medical reports, contact information for witnesses, photographs, and written correspondence. If the employer refuses to record the accident, it is advisable to request this in writing, contact the Labor Inspectorate, and, depending on the circumstances, pursue a claim for compensation through legal channels. These rules also apply to employees working under a DPP or DPČ contract; school-related injuries, on the other hand, are recorded in accordance with a separate regulation.