Best Work Injury Lawyers in Arlesheim

About Work Injury Law in Arlesheim, Switzerland

Work injury law in Arlesheim is governed primarily by Swiss federal law, applied locally in the Canton of Basel-Landschaft. The central statute is the Federal Act on Accident Insurance, known as UVG in German and LAA in French. Most employees are mandatorily insured for occupational accidents and occupational diseases, and if they work at least 8 hours per week they are also insured for non-occupational accidents. Suva and approved private accident insurers administer these benefits. Local enforcement of workplace safety is shared between Suva and the cantonal labour inspectorate. Because Arlesheim is in Basel-Landschaft, disputes and appeals are heard by the cantonal social insurance court before any federal review.

If you are injured at work, the accident insurer generally covers medically necessary treatment without deductibles or copayments, provides a daily allowance for loss of earnings during incapacity, and may grant long-term disability pensions or a lump-sum integrity compensation for permanent impairment. Employers must prevent risks at work and report accidents. Employees must notify their employer promptly and follow medical advice.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal help if liability or coverage is unclear, or if the insurer disputes causation, the degree of incapacity, or the extent of benefits. Common situations include accidents with pre-existing conditions, repetitive strain injuries, psychological consequences after an accident, commuting or home office accidents, disagreements over suitable light-duty work, termination during incapacity, and settlement proposals that may limit future rights. A lawyer can gather medical evidence, quantify wage loss, challenge adverse medical assessments, manage deadlines, and represent you in objections and appeals.

Legal advice is also helpful if a third party caused your injury, for example a contractor or equipment supplier. In such cases you may pursue tort damages alongside social insurance benefits, which raises coordination and limitation period issues. Cross-border workers, temporary agency workers, apprentices, and self-employed individuals often benefit from tailored advice to ensure proper insurance and benefit access.

Local Laws Overview

Mandatory accident insurance UVG applies to employees in Arlesheim. Employees working at least 8 hours per week are insured for occupational and non-occupational accidents. Those below 8 hours per week are insured for occupational accidents and occupational diseases, and commuting accidents are treated as occupational for them. Employers pay premiums for occupational coverage. Employees usually pay the premium for non-occupational coverage via wage deduction.

Coverage includes medical treatment, rehabilitation, prosthetics, medicines, and travel costs related to the accident. Under UVG there are no health insurance deductibles or copayments for accident treatment. You may generally choose your doctor among recognized providers. The insurer can arrange independent assessments to clarify your condition.

Loss of earnings is compensated by a daily allowance at 80 percent of insured earnings, subject to the UVG maximum insured salary. The daily allowance usually starts on the third day after the accident. The first two days may be unpaid under the statute unless an employment contract or collective agreement provides earlier coverage. If long-term earning capacity is reduced, the accident insurer may grant an accident disability pension proportionate to the degree of invalidity, up to 80 percent of insured earnings. A lump-sum integrity compensation may also be paid for permanent bodily or mental impairment, based on severity and independent of income. Survivors of a fatal work accident may receive pensions and funeral cost coverage.

Employer duties include ensuring workplace safety under the Labour Act and the Ordinance on the Prevention of Accidents and Occupational Diseases, assessing risks, training staff, providing protective equipment, and reporting accidents. Suva and the cantonal labour inspectorate for Basel-Landschaft monitor compliance and can issue orders.

Employment law protections include a prohibition on termination during periods of incapacity due to accident after probation, with protection durations depending on years of service. Employers must cooperate in reintegration and consider reasonable accommodations where feasible.

Interaction with other social insurances follows coordination rules. Accident insurance is primary for accident-related treatment and wage loss. The Federal Disability Insurance may provide vocational rehabilitation or pensions for long-term invalidity. Health insurance covers illnesses and accidents only if you are not UVG-covered for accidents. When employment ends, UVG coverage continues for 31 days. You can extend it up to 6 months with a continuation policy known as Abredeversicherung.

Deadlines and appeals are strict. Accidents must be reported to the employer immediately, and the employer notifies the insurer. If the insurer issues a decision that you disagree with, you typically have 30 days to file a written objection. After the objection decision, you can appeal to the Basel-Landschaft social insurance court within 30 days, with a possible further appeal to the Federal Supreme Court. For tort claims against third parties, the relative limitation is generally 3 years from knowledge of the damage and the liable person, and the absolute limitation for personal injury is generally 20 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a work injury in Arlesheim

Get medical attention and tell the provider it is a work accident. Inform your employer right away and provide a brief description of how, where, and when it happened, plus any witnesses. Keep copies of medical certificates and expenses. Do not delay reporting, as early notice helps avoid disputes.

Who reports the accident to the insurer

You inform your employer, and the employer usually reports to the accident insurer using the standard accident report. If there is a serious injury and the employer does not act, you or your representative can also contact the insurer directly and notify Suva or the relevant authority as needed.

Who pays my medical bills

The accident insurer pays medically necessary treatment for covered accidents without deductibles or copayments. Give your accident case number to providers. Health insurance is usually not involved unless there is a coverage dispute or if the event is an illness rather than an accident.

How much wage compensation will I receive and when does it start

The statutory daily allowance is 80 percent of insured earnings up to the UVG ceiling and typically starts on day 3 after the accident. Check your employment contract or collective agreement to see if your employer covers the waiting period or pays a salary top up. Payments continue until you are fit to work, reach a stable condition with a longer term pension assessment, or the insurer lawfully ends benefits.

Am I covered for accidents while commuting or working from home

Commuting accidents are covered. If you work at least 8 hours per week, they are insured as non-occupational accidents. If you work less than 8 hours per week, commuting accidents are treated as occupational. Home office accidents are covered when they occur in a close connection with your work activity in time and place. Accidents during private activities at home, such as a personal lunch break away from the workstation, are generally not occupational.

Can I choose my own doctor and get a second opinion

You usually have free choice of doctor among recognized providers. The insurer may require examinations by independent experts. You can request a second opinion and submit additional medical evidence. A lawyer can help challenge unfavourable assessments and request a neutral expert report.

What if my employer terminates my contract while I am incapacitated

After probation, Swiss law provides a protection period during which termination is invalid if you are unable to work due to an accident. The length of protection depends on your years of service. If a notice is given during the protection period, it is void. Seek legal advice quickly to preserve your rights and consider claiming salary or daily allowances as applicable.

What benefits exist for permanent consequences of an accident

If your earning capacity is durably reduced, you may receive an accident disability pension proportional to the degree of invalidity, based on insured earnings and subject to the UVG ceiling. You may also receive a lump-sum integrity compensation for permanent impairment, determined by medical criteria and independent of income. Additional allowances can be granted for helplessness or necessary care.

I am self-employed or a cross-border worker. How am I covered

Self-employed persons are not mandatorily covered under UVG and should arrange voluntary accident insurance or include accident coverage in basic health insurance. Cross-border workers employed by a Swiss employer are insured under Swiss accident insurance for work-related risks, with coordination for treatment in the state of residence. Seek advice to ensure the right policy and correct claims pathway.

What can I do if the insurer denies or stops my benefits

Request the decision in writing and review the reasons. You generally have 30 days to file a written objection with supporting evidence. If the objection is rejected, you can appeal to the Basel-Landschaft social insurance court within 30 days. Independent medical reports and witness statements can be decisive. An experienced lawyer can manage the process and improve your chances.

Additional Resources

Suva regional agency for Northwestern Switzerland provides information on accident insurance, prevention, and claims handling. Many employers in Basel-Landschaft are insured with Suva.

Private accident insurers approved under UVG administer coverage for employers not insured with Suva. Your employer can tell you which insurer applies to your workplace.

Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat Basel-Landschaft oversees occupational health and safety compliance and can advise on accident prevention and reporting of serious incidents.

Sozialversicherungsgericht Basel-Landschaft is the cantonal court that hears appeals in social insurance matters, including accident insurance disputes.

Ombudsman of Private Insurance and Suva is an independent mediation body that helps resolve disputes with private accident insurers and Suva free of charge.

Basel-Landschaft bar association can help you find a local lawyer experienced in work injury and social insurance law.

RAV and regional employment services support reintegration and job placement when you are fit for adapted work, and coordinate with insurers on return to work plans.

Next Steps

Seek medical care and inform your employer immediately. Ask which accident insurer covers your company and request the claim number. Keep all medical certificates, therapy prescriptions, and receipts. Write down how the accident happened while details are fresh and collect witness contacts.

Confirm your pay situation and any waiting period coverage with your HR department. Coordinate promptly with your doctor about work capacity and possible light-duty options. Follow treatment recommendations and attend assessments scheduled by the insurer.

If you receive an adverse decision or if benefits are delayed, contact a lawyer who handles UVG claims in Basel-Landschaft. Bring your employment contract, pay slips, accident report, medical records, and any insurer correspondence. Because objection and appeal deadlines are short, act quickly.

If your employment ends, remember that UVG coverage continues for 31 days. If needed, arrange an Abredeversicherung to extend coverage for up to 6 months. If you are self-employed or between jobs, verify that your health insurance includes accident coverage.

This guide provides general information about work injury law in Arlesheim. It is not legal advice. For tailored guidance on your situation, consult a qualified lawyer or a recognized advisory service in Basel-Landschaft.