Best Work Injury Lawyers in Dornach

About Work Injury Law in Dornach, Switzerland

Work injuries in Dornach are handled under Swiss federal social insurance law, with local administration in the canton of Solothurn. If you are employed by a Swiss employer in Dornach, you are mandatorily covered against occupational accidents and occupational diseases under the Federal Accident Insurance Act UVG LAA. Many employees are also covered for non-occupational accidents, depending on weekly working hours. Claims are usually processed by Suva or a private accident insurer authorized under the UVG LAA. The system aims to provide quick medical treatment, wage replacement, rehabilitation, and long-term support when needed.

Because the rules are primarily federal, the same core protections apply throughout Switzerland. Local bodies in Solothurn oversee workplace safety and investigate serious incidents. Dornach workers include cross-border commuters and apprentices, who are also generally covered if they are employed in Switzerland. Understanding how to report an accident, what benefits exist, and how deadlines work can help you protect your rights from day one.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help when there is a dispute about whether an incident qualifies as a work accident, an occupational disease, or neither. Disagreements often arise about causation, especially for back injuries, repetitive strain, or psychological consequences after an incident.

Legal support is useful if your daily allowance has been reduced or stopped, if there is a disagreement about your ability to return to work, or if the insurer insists on a specific treatment you do not agree with. You may also need advice if you have a high income above the UVG LAA maximum insured earnings or if you need to coordinate accident, health, invalidity, and pension benefits.

If an employer may have breached safety duties, you might have an additional civil claim. A lawyer can assess employer liability, negotiate with insurers, gather medical and witness evidence, and file timely objections and appeals. If you are a cross-border worker or self-employed, counsel can clarify coverage and help you opt in or navigate cross-border care.

Local Laws Overview

Mandatory accident insurance UVG LAA covers employees for occupational accidents and occupational diseases. If you work at least 8 hours per week for one employer, you are also insured for non-occupational accidents. If you work less than 8 hours per week, commuting accidents are treated as occupational and are covered. Occupational accident premiums are paid by the employer. Non-occupational accident premiums are usually deducted from the employee wage.

Insured earnings under UVG LAA are covered up to a legal maximum of 148,200 CHF per year. If you are unable to work due to a covered accident, the accident insurer pays a daily allowance equal to 80 percent of insured earnings starting on the third day after the accident. Employers often supplement the first days or top up benefits through collective supplementary insurance. Under the Code of Obligations CO, Article 324a, employers also owe salary continuation for a limited period depending on years of service if there is no insurance or a gap.

Medical benefits include necessary and effective treatment, general ward hospital care, medications, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, aids and appliances, as well as travel, rescue, and transport costs. You usually have a free choice of recognized doctors and hospitals, though the insurer can coordinate care. Private or semiprivate upgrades are not covered unless you have supplementary insurance. If a permanent impairment remains, you may receive a lump sum for integrity compensation. If your earning capacity is durably reduced by at least 10 percent, you may receive an accident disability pension. A helplessness allowance can be granted when daily assistance is needed.

Occupational diseases are illnesses caused exclusively or predominantly by work, including those listed by law and recognized equivalents, such as noise-induced hearing loss or certain skin and respiratory conditions. Preventive law includes the Accident Prevention Ordinance VUV OPA and the Labour Act ArG LTr, which impose safety duties on employers. Employers must assess risks, instruct workers, provide protective equipment, and report serious events. The employer owes a duty of care under CO Article 328.

Reporting is time sensitive. Inform your employer immediately, seek medical care, and ensure an accident report is filed with the insurer as soon as possible. Doctors and hospitals can issue the standard accident report and send medical certificates directly to the insurer. In severe or fatal cases, the employer must notify the authorities without delay, and the Solothurn labour inspectorate and Suva may investigate.

Procedural rules follow the Federal Act on the General Part of Social Insurance Law ATSG LPGA. If the insurer issues a decision you disagree with, you can file an objection Einsprache within 30 days. If the objection is denied, you can appeal to the competent Solothurn social insurance court within 30 days, and then to the Federal Supreme Court in limited circumstances. Tort claims against an at-fault party are subject to the Code of Obligations limitation rules, typically 1 year from knowledge of the damage and liable person and 10 years at the latest, with special rules for criminal acts.

Coverage continues for 31 days after the last day for which you were entitled to at least partial salary. You can extend accident coverage during gaps in employment by purchasing a continuation Abredeversicherung for up to 6 additional months from your former accident insurer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a work injury in Dornach

An accident is defined as the sudden, unintended harmful effect of an unusual external factor on your body. A work injury includes accidents that occur while performing your job and certain commuting accidents depending on your working hours. Occupational diseases caused by work are also covered. Strains from normal body movements without an unusual external factor may not qualify, unless they fall under specific listed injuries or recognized occupational diseases.

How do I report a work accident

Tell your employer immediately, get medical attention, and ensure an accident report Unfallmeldung is sent to the accident insurer. Your doctor or the hospital can issue the medical accident report and work capacity certificate. Keep copies of all documents, note witnesses, and document the scene if possible. Serious or fatal accidents must be reported by the employer without delay to the authorities.

Who is my accident insurer

Many companies are insured with Suva, especially in manufacturing, construction, and logistics. Others use private UVG LAA insurers such as large Swiss insurance companies. Ask your employer or HR for the accident policy details. Your accident card or payroll slip may show the insurer.

What benefits can I receive

Covered benefits include necessary medical treatment, medications, rehabilitation, aids, and general ward hospitalization. If you are unable to work, you receive an 80 percent daily allowance of insured earnings from day 3. There are benefits for long-term disability, a lump sum for permanent integrity impairment, and a helplessness allowance if you need daily assistance. Travel, rescue, and transport costs are also covered.

Can I choose my doctor

Yes, you generally have a free choice among recognized healthcare providers. The insurer may coordinate treatment and can request assessments. Private or semiprivate hospital upgrades are not covered unless you have supplementary insurance separate from UVG LAA.

What if my employer may be at fault

The accident insurer pays benefits regardless of fault. If the employer breached safety duties, you may have a separate civil claim. A lawyer can evaluate evidence under CO liability rules and advise on deadlines. Reporting to the labour inspectorate may also be required for serious cases.

How are commuting accidents treated

If you work at least 8 hours per week for one employer, your non-occupational insurance covers commuting accidents. If you work less than 8 hours per week, commuting accidents are treated as occupational and are covered under that part of the policy. Always report the circumstances accurately.

What happens if the insurer denies or stops benefits

You can request a formal decision Verfügung if you received only a letter. After a decision, you have 30 days to file an objection Einsprache with the insurer. If the objection is rejected, you can appeal to the Solothurn social insurance court within 30 days. Legal advice can improve your chances by addressing medical and legal arguments.

Am I covered if I lose my job shortly after an accident

Coverage under UVG LAA continues for 31 days after your last day with salary entitlement. You can extend coverage by purchasing a continuation Abredeversicherung for up to 6 months from your former accident insurer. Benefits for an already reported accident continue according to the policy and law.

Are cross-border workers and apprentices covered

Yes. If you are employed by a Swiss employer in Dornach, you are covered under UVG LAA regardless of residence. Apprentices, interns, and many unemployed persons receiving unemployment benefits also have accident coverage, with specific rules. Cross-border medical treatment may be possible under coordination rules but may require insurer approval.

Additional Resources

Suva - Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund. Handles insurance and prevention for many sectors, provides accident reporting forms, case management, and workplace safety guidance.

Private UVG LAA accident insurers - Large Swiss insurers authorized under UVG LAA. Your employer or HR can tell you which insurer covers your workplace and how to report a claim.

Kanton Solothurn Labour Inspectorate Arbeitsinspektorat - Supervises occupational health and safety, investigates serious work accidents, and advises employers and employees in the canton.

Sozialversicherungsgericht des Kantons Solothurn Social Insurance Court - Hears appeals in social insurance matters including accident insurance disputes.

Amt für soziale Sicherheit Kanton Solothurn Social Security Office - Provides information on social insurance coordination, including invalidity insurance IV and complementary benefits.

Unia and Syna trade unions - Offer advice and representation to members in work injury and employment matters.

Patient advocacy and insurance ombuds services - Can help with treatment access issues, medical billing questions, and communication with insurers.

Legal aid in the canton of Solothurn unentgeltliche Rechtspflege - Court based legal aid for those with limited means, available in appropriate cases involving social insurance disputes.

Next Steps

Get medical help immediately and inform your employer the same day if possible. Ask who the accident insurer is and request that the accident report is filed right away. Provide accurate details about the event, witnesses, and injuries.

Keep records. Save medical reports, work capacity certificates, receipts, and correspondence. Write down symptoms and how they affect your daily life and work. Follow prescribed treatment and attend appointments.

Check your pay slips and insurer letters to confirm daily allowance payments, start dates, and percentages. If your income is above the UVG LAA maximum or if your employer has supplementary insurance, ask how top ups work.

If your claim is denied or benefits are reduced, request a formal decision and be mindful of the 30 day objection deadline. Consider consulting a lawyer experienced in UVG LAA and employment law in Solothurn to assess medical evidence, deadlines, and strategy.

If your employment ends, note the 31 day post insurance period and consider purchasing continuation coverage Abredeversicherung to avoid gaps, especially if you are between jobs or traveling.

For serious accidents or suspected safety violations, inform or consult the Solothurn labour inspectorate. If there are cross border issues, ask the insurer about approved providers and procedures before planned treatment abroad.

Early, accurate reporting and timely legal advice can protect your rights and help you secure the benefits and rehabilitation you need after a work injury in Dornach.