Severe damage to the lumbar spine caused by long-term heavy physical work will be added to the Czech list of occupational diseases. This will apply from 2023. It concerns dozens of cases every year in which this condition seriously damages employees’ health.
Employees will therefore be able to claim compensation for loss of earnings and the costs of medical treatment from their employer. The entitlement to compensation will be determined by an authorised physician, as there is no list of the occupations to which this compensation applies. Administrative workers will probably not be able to claim it, as their work involves long periods of sitting rather than long-term strenuous physical work.
An occupational disease is defined as poor health caused by unsuitable working conditions in the workplace. If a health problem is not recognised as an occupational disease, there is a right to appeal within 10 days of the negative decision at the same facility that issued it. After that, the matter is handled by an administrative authority, which makes the final decision.
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Published: 7/2022
