Filing a SOCSO Claim for Employee Injuries: Step-by-Step Guide

In the workplace, accidents can occur at any time and therefore as the employer, it is important to respond to such incidences early enough to attend to the needs of the injured employee as well as meet legal requirements. It also saves the employee from further suffering and at the same time, shields the company from legal consequences. In Malaysia, the company that takes up the responsibility of supporting injured employees is SOCSO (Social Security Organisation). This paper will help both employers and employees understand how to deal with workplace injuries through the understanding of the SOCSO claim process.

Employer’s First Emergency Action Plan When an Employee is Injured

1. Ensure the Employee’s Safety

The first and the most crucial action to take when an employee is injured is to protect him/her. Administer first aid treatment and if the situation is severe, then call an ambulance. Regardless of how trivial the injury is, it is always wise to seek the services of a doctor to avoid the worsening of the situation.

2. Report the Incident

In case of an injury, report to the employee’s supervisor or HR right at the time of the incident. This makes the company aware of the situation and in a position to help the employee and at the same time record the incident well.

3. Document the Injury

It is important to document the injury with a lot of detail for both legal and medical purposes. This entails collecting information about the occurrence, taking pictures, and recording statements from the witnesses, if any. Records are important when it comes to filing the SOCSO claim or when there are further questions on the case.

4. Transport to the Hospital or Clinic

In case of an injury, ensure that the employee is taken to a hospital or clinic if the case needs the attention of a doctor. Make sure the employee gets the necessary care and gets a medical report, which will be needed to proceed with the SOCSO claim.

Notify SOCSO About the Injury

Report the Injury to SOCSO

In Malaysia, any workplace injury must be reported to the SOCSO with the shortest time possible. The employers are legally bound to report the incident to SOCSO within 48 hours. Reporting on time is important so that the employee can be awarded the correct benefits and the claims process is not problematic.

Ensure that you fill the Accident Report Form (Form 21)

The employer has to fill the SOCSO Accident Report Form (Form 21) in order to report the workplace injury. The form includes the name of the accident, the employee’s job description, and the nature of the injury. The form has to be completed correctly to prevent any complications in the claim process and prolongation of the process.

Steps to Make a SOCSO Claim

Step 1: Medical Examination

As for the employee, after the injury it becomes the employer’s duty to provide the employee with a medical examination. The attending doctor’s medical report will be relied on to make the SOCSO claim and determine the state of the employee.

Step 2: Submission of Documents

To submit a SOCSO claim, employers need to provide several documents:

• Form 21: The form used to document an accident that has occurred in an organization.
• Form 10: A notification of the employee’s state and disability to work.
• Medical Reports: Also the first medical report and all subsequent check-ups if any.
• Accident Details: Any other papers that may explain how the injury occurred including picture and any other report from the witness.

             Source: douglasloh

Step 3: Claim Submission

After all the documents have been gathered, the SOCSO claim can then be made online or physically at any SOCSO branch. It is important that there should be no variation in the submission to avoid any form of delay. Many times, lack of or improper documentation leads to claims rejection or cases where the process takes a longer time to complete.

What Happens After Filing a SOCSO Claim?

SOCSO Review Process

Upon submission, SOCSO assesses the claim together with the supporting documents that have been provided. It takes about several weeks to complete the work, depending on the case nature and the materials shared. If necessary, SOCSO may also have to launch an investigation.

Medical Board Assessment

If the injury results in a permanent disability or if the treatment is long and complicated, SOCSO may recommend the employee to a Medical Board for evaluation. The board assesses the severity of the employee’s condition in order to decide on the appropriate compensation or benefits.

SOCSO Payments

After the claim has been accepted, SOCSO offers cash payments and medical expenses. These may include daily allowances during the employee’s recovery, medical expenses, and when it is a long-term disability, monthly pensions. The payment period and the amount paid are usually proportional to the gravity of the injury.

Preventing Future Workplace Injuries

Conduct Risk Assessments

It is always easier to prevent an illness than to cure it. Daily risk evaluation assists in the detection of risks that may exist in a workplace and enables employers to prevent or control risks. This helps to minimize the risks of accidents and makes the workplace more secure.

Employee Training Programs

Safety should always be practiced in a workplace and this can only be achieved through constant training of employees on safety measures and appropriate use of tools and equipment. This is because when employees are trained on how to recognize risks and avoid or report them, there is likely to be a decrease in accidents.

Safety Protocols

Employers should set down safety measures and ensure compliance with the measures set down. This involves wearing of protective clothing, observing set standard operational procedures and periodic assessment of safety measures to conform to the current practices in the market.

In case of an injury at the workplace, it is very important to act quickly. The employer has to protect the rights of the employee and report and file the correct documents for a SOCSO claim. This way, employers can assist their employees to get all the benefits they are entitled to, and at the same time, the company will be in compliance with the law. Injury prevention is vital to the best interest of the company and all workers so that no new injuries happen in the future.

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