A work injury can change your life in an instant. While some injuries heal and the person returns to normal life after a while, others leave permanent effects of the injury that affect health, ability to work and daily functioning. In these situations, you may be entitled to compensation for the permanent effects of your work injury, which is different from regular pain and suffering benefits.
The permanent consequences of a work injury are health problems that remain after treatment and have a long-term or even lifelong impact. So it is not the injury itself that matters, but what is left behind. Typical examples are limited joint mobility, chronic back pain, loss of feeling in the limbs, impaired vision or hearing, aesthetic defects after surgery or severe burns. These effects can severely limit work and personal life.
It should be stressed that the permanent consequences of an injury are assessed separately from pain and suffering. Pain relates to the injury itself and the period of healing, whereas permanent consequences are compensation for the fact that a person’s health will never be the same again. In legal terms, they are applied according to government regulations and the Supreme Court’s methodology, which set out how each medical condition is assessed.
The employer or its insurer is obliged to compensate these claims. In practice, however, it is often the case that permanent consequences are not recognised or are undervalued. It is therefore important that you are aware of your rights and know how you can defend yourself.
Have you suffered an accident at work and suffered permanent consequences? You probably already know that your insurance company or employer will not try to pay you the maximum on their own. Often they will only offer a fraction of what you are actually entitled to. We can help you with that. We’ll review your medical report, check to make sure your permanent injuries have been properly assessed, and make sure you get full compensation. If necessary, we will also arrange for an independent expert report and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
The assessment of the permanent consequences is primarily carried out by means of a medical report. The doctor determines whether the injured person has permanent health problems and assigns a score. Each type of impairment has a certain point value in the Department of Health tables – for example, limited mobility in an elbow may be worth 50 points, while the loss of an eye may be worth several hundred points.
The key factor is the point value for permanent effects. Its base is set by government regulation and is increased annually by inflation. This is multiplied by the number of points awarded, resulting in the amount the injured person is entitled to receive. The value of the point changes over time, for example in 2024 it was CZK 424. Therefore, if a doctor determines 300 points, the resulting compensation will amount to more than CZK 127,000.
If you wish to use one of the calculators available online, please be aware that the work injury calculator will only ever calculate an estimate. The actual amount depends on expert medical opinion and correct interpretation of the regulations. If you, as an injured worker, feel that your damages have been underestimated, you may request a review or supplemental report. This is where the amount of compensation often breaks down, and without expert help it can be difficult to get a fair result.
If the injury happened in the course of or in direct connection with work, we are talking about a work-related injury. In this case, the employee is entitled to various forms of compensation – pain and suffering, compensation for loss of earnings, compensation for medical expenses and compensation for the permanent consequences of the accident.
Compensation for permanent consequences is granted as a lump sum. The difference with pain and suffering is that pain and suffering compensation is intended to compensate for the suffering during the period of treatment, whereas compensation for permanent consequences compensates for the long-term or lifelong impact on health. It is paid by the employer through its statutory insurance policy. In practice, this means that the employee makes a claim with his or her employer, but the money is paid by the insurance company.
In order to settle the claim, a medical report on permanent consequences, documentation of the work injury and other supporting documents must be provided. The insurance company then calculates the amount based on the number of points and the point value in a given year. If the employer or insurance company disputes the claim, the employee has the right to defend himself or herself – including through the courts. So compensation for the permanent consequences of an injury is not a matter to be left to chance, as it often involves hundreds of thousands of crowns.
Tip: The lasting effects of an injury are among the most serious consequences of a medical injury. It’s not just the pain and long healing, but the interference with daily life and ability to work. Find out how much money you can get.
The definition of an occupational injury is clearly stated in the Labour Code – it is an injury to health that arises during or in direct connection with the performance of work tasks. It also includes situations while travelling for work or between workplaces. If an accident happens to you, it is your duty as an employee to report it immediately so that a record of the accident can be made.
You will need a medical report, other medical documents and the cooperation of your employer in order to claim compensation. You may have tried various work injury calculators that will give you an approximate amount after you enter the type of injury. But think of them as a rough estimate – actual compensation can vary by tens of thousands of crowns.
The biggest mistake you can make is to rely on the insurance company itself to pay you what you’re owed. Often it will only offer a part of the compensation. That is why it is important to keep a close eye on everything and not be afraid to consult a specialist. Insurance companies are naturally interested in paying out as little as possible, and employees are often unaware that some items may be understated or omitted altogether.
Experience shows that the most common complication tends to be underestimation of the consequences. The doctor may determine a lower number of points than the actual limitation, and the insurance company will then award a lower amount. The injured party often has no way of assessing whether the assessment was correct.
Another problem is that the employer or insurance company will dispute the link between the injury and the permanent consequences. They claim, for example, that the back pain is not the result of the accident but of age or a previous illness. Such disputes are then often resolved by expert evidence.
A major pitfall is also the lack of awareness among employees. Many do not know that they have the right to request a review or an independent expert opinion. They are often put off by the insurance company, which tells them that they cannot get higher compensation. However, practice shows that with expert legal assistance, it is possible to increase the amounts by tens of percent.
That is why it makes sense to turn to experts – not only to deal with the insurance company itself, but also to protect the rights of the victim, who is usually at a disadvantage in these disputes.
Tip: From January 2026, there will be a major change in the reporting of accidents at work. Paper forms will end and employers will be obliged to report exclusively electronically via the portal of the State Labour Inspection Office. Find out more.
The Accessible Advocate service specialises in legal assistance in cases where an employee has suffered an injury at work and has suffered permanent consequences. Our attorneys will review medical reports, check to see if points have been awarded correctly, and suggest steps to defend against underpayment. If necessary, we will secure an independent expert report and represent you in negotiations with the insurance company or in court.
Our speed and experience is an advantage – we have handled similar cases and know how to deal with insurance companies. The goal is for the client to receive fair compensation for the permanent effects of the injury and not lose money that is rightfully theirs.
So, if you feel that your compensation does not reflect the actual consequences, or if you are unsure whether you have made a full claim, please contact us. Together we will ensure that your claim is properly assessed and paid in full.
If you suffer an injury at work and are left with permanent effects, you may be entitled to special compensation, which is different from pain and suffering. Permanent effects are long-term health problems such as limited mobility, chronic pain or impaired vision or hearing, and are assessed separately according to a number of points determined by a doctor in an assessment. The resulting amount is calculated by multiplying the points by the current point value for the permanent impairment. Compensation is paid in a lump sum through the employer and its insurance company, often amounting to hundreds of thousands of crowns. A medical report and a record of the work injury are required for settlement, but in practice it is often a problem to underestimate the consequences or to dispute the connection with the accident. Insurance companies often pay out less than you are entitled to, so it pays to get professional legal advice.
Pain covers the healing period and temporary discomfort, while permanent effects refer to long-term health problems after the injury.
The employer is obliged to file the claim with its insurance company. If they refuse, it is possible to seek payment through the courts.
Usually a few months after the medical report is documented. If there is a dispute, the process can drag on.
It is set by government decree and is regularly increased by inflation. It is multiplied by the number of points from the medical assessment.
Yes, but only tentatively. Actual compensation may vary, so it’s always best to consult a lawyer.
Get compensation for harm or damage – quickly and without stress. We will assess your chances, propose a strategy and prepare a challenge. All within 48 hours of placing your order. If necessary, we will then file a lawsuit and arrange legal representation. We will stand up for you fully.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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