Best Work Injury Lawyers in Dornach

About Work Injury Law in Dornach, Switzerland

Work injury law in Dornach follows Swiss federal rules. Employees are mandatorily insured against occupational accidents and occupational diseases under the Federal Law on Accident Insurance, known as UVG in German and LAA in French. If you work at least 8 hours per week for the same employer, you are also insured for non-occupational accidents, which covers injuries outside work and usually includes commuting accidents. Dornach is in the Canton of Solothurn, and local authorities enforce workplace safety, but the core benefits and procedures are set nationwide.

After a work accident, the accident insurer, often SUVA or a private UVG insurer, typically covers medical treatment without deductible, rehabilitation, and a daily allowance for loss of earnings while you are unable to work. In serious cases, there can be an impairment compensation, disability pensions, and survivors benefits. The system is no-fault, which means benefits are paid regardless of whether the employer or the worker caused the accident, but there are rules about gross negligence and coordination with other social insurances.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many cases proceed smoothly, but legal help can be important when there are disputes about whether an event is an accident, whether a condition counts as an occupational disease, or how severe your work incapacity is. Insurers sometimes stop daily allowances or deny further treatment based on medical assessments. A lawyer can challenge decisions, obtain independent medical opinions, and manage tight objection and appeal deadlines.

You may also need a lawyer if a third party caused your injury, such as a subcontractor or a road user, because you could have additional claims outside accident insurance. If the employer failed to ensure safety or there are questions of gross negligence, legal advice is crucial. Cross-border workers in the Basel area and self-employed persons face special coverage issues that benefit from legal guidance. If long-term disability arises, coordination with disability insurance and occupational pensions can be complex, and a lawyer can help maximize the benefits you are entitled to receive.

Local Laws Overview

Accident insurance UVG-LAA is the central law. It defines an accident as a sudden, unintentional harmful event caused by an unusual external factor to the human body. Occupational diseases are also covered if they are caused predominantly by substances or work activities and are recognized under the law. Employees are mandatorily insured through their employer. Employers pay premiums for occupational accidents. Employees usually pay the premium for non-occupational accidents through payroll deductions. Self-employed individuals can opt in to UVG-LAA coverage.

Key benefits include full coverage of medically necessary treatment, rehabilitation, and aids, usually without deductibles or copayments, a daily allowance of typically 80 percent of insured earnings from the third day after the accident up to a statutory earnings cap, integrity compensation for lasting bodily harm, disability pensions for at least 10 percent invalidity, and survivors pensions. Commuting accidents are generally treated as non-occupational accidents if you work 8 hours or more per week with one employer. If you work less than 8 hours per week, commuting accidents count as occupational.

Procedural and coordination rules are set by the General Part of Social Insurance Law ATSG-LPGA. Workplace safety is governed by the Labour Law ArG-LTr and the Accident Prevention Ordinance VUV-OPA. Employer liability is limited because UVG-LAA provides no-fault coverage, but civil claims against employers are possible in cases of intent or gross negligence under the Swiss Code of Obligations CO-OR. Claims for accident insurance benefits generally become time-barred 5 years after the accident or after the benefit falls due, with a 10-year absolute limit. Tort claims outside insurance generally have a 3-year relative limit from knowledge of the damage and the liable person, and a 10-year absolute limit.

In Solothurn, the cantonal labour inspectorate oversees safety compliance. Serious accidents must be reported and investigated. Insurers issue decisions in writing. You can file an objection within 30 days. Further appeals go to the Solothurn social insurance court and then potentially to the Federal Supreme Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a work injury in Switzerland

A work injury is any accident that happens while performing work tasks or on the employer’s premises, including injuries caused by external factors like falls, impacts, or chemical exposure. Occupational diseases caused predominantly by workplace substances or activities can also be covered. The legal definition of accident requires a sudden, unintentional event with an unusual external factor.

What should I do immediately after a work accident in Dornach

Seek medical care right away and tell the provider it is an accident related to work. Notify your employer as soon as possible and make sure an accident report is sent to the UVG-LAA insurer. Keep copies of medical certificates and the claim number. Record witnesses, photos, and details of the scene if you can do so safely.

Who pays my medical bills

The accident insurer designated by your employer pays medically necessary treatment for covered accidents and occupational diseases, typically without deductibles. Provide your accident claim number to doctors and hospitals. Basic health insurance should not be charged for covered accident costs.

How much of my salary will I receive while I cannot work

Accident insurance usually pays a daily allowance equal to 80 percent of your insured salary starting from the third day after the accident, up to the federal insured earnings cap. Collective agreements or employer policies can provide more. If incapacity persists, disability pensions may be granted based on the degree of invalidity.

Are commuting accidents covered

If you work 8 hours or more per week with one employer, commuting accidents are covered as non-occupational accidents under UVG-LAA. If you work less than 8 hours per week, commuting accidents are treated as occupational accidents. Tell your employer and the insurer how the accident occurred so it is categorized correctly.

Do I need to prove my employer was at fault to receive benefits

No. The UVG-LAA system is no-fault. You do not need to prove employer fault to receive medical treatment and wage replacement. However, if the employer intentionally or with gross negligence caused the accident, separate civil liability can arise. A lawyer can advise on whether parallel claims make sense.

Can I choose my own doctor

In most cases you may choose any doctor or hospital that is recognized to provide accident treatment. The insurer can coordinate care and may arrange medical assessments. You are required to cooperate with reasonable treatment and assessments. If you disagree with an assessment, you can seek a second opinion.

What if the insurer denies or stops my benefits

Insurers issue written decisions stating reasons. You can file an objection, called an Einsprache, within 30 days of receipt. If the objection is rejected, you can appeal to the Solothurn social insurance court. Deadlines are strict, so seek legal help early and keep all medical records and correspondence.

How long do I have to make a claim

Report the accident to your employer and insurer without delay. In general, claims for benefits prescribe after 5 years from the accident or from when the benefit becomes due, with a 10-year absolute limit. Tort claims against third parties typically prescribe after 3 years from knowledge of the damage and liable person, and absolutely after 10 years.

What if a third party caused my injury

The accident insurer pays benefits regardless of fault, and it may seek reimbursement from the third party. You may also have separate civil claims for additional damages not covered by insurance, such as pain and suffering in certain cases. Legal advice is recommended to coordinate claims and avoid double recovery issues.

Additional Resources

SUVA Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund provides information about accident insurance coverage, prevention measures, and claims procedures. Many employers in Dornach are insured with SUVA, while others use private UVG-LAA insurers.

Private UVG-LAA accident insurers such as major Swiss insurance companies administer many employer policies. Contact your employer to identify the correct insurer and claim number.

Kantonales Arbeitsinspektorat Solothurn the cantonal labour inspectorate monitors workplace safety, investigates serious accidents, and advises on prevention obligations for companies operating in Dornach.

Sozialversicherungsgericht des Kantons Solothurn the cantonal social insurance court hears appeals in accident insurance disputes after an objection decision by the insurer.

IV-Stelle Solothurn the cantonal disability insurance office handles disability assessments and benefits that may coordinate with accident insurance in long-term incapacity cases.

Solothurnischer Anwaltsverband the Solothurn bar association can help you find a lawyer experienced in accident insurance and liability law.

Trade unions such as Unia and Syna often provide initial legal advice to members on work injury issues and employer obligations.

Gemeinde and cantonal legal advice services in the Solothurn region may offer low-cost or means-tested legal consultations for residents of Dornach.

Next Steps

Get medical care immediately and inform the provider it is a work-related accident. Notify your employer the same day if possible. Ensure an accident report is filed with the correct UVG-LAA insurer and ask for your claim number.

Collect and keep all documents, including medical certificates of incapacity, prescriptions, receipts, and correspondence from the insurer. Note witness names and take photographs or notes about how the accident happened. Follow medical advice and attend insurer-arranged assessments.

Check your salary statements to confirm non-occupational accident premiums are being deducted if you work 8 hours or more per week, and verify who your accident insurer is. If you are self-employed, review whether you have opted into UVG-LAA coverage or need to arrange equivalent protection.

If you receive a negative or unclear insurer decision, mark the 30-day objection deadline and consider consulting a lawyer who focuses on accident insurance and workplace liability. A lawyer can draft objections, obtain independent medical opinions, and represent you before the Solothurn social insurance court if needed.

If a third party may be responsible, speak to a lawyer promptly to preserve evidence and coordinate claims. Do not sign broad releases or accept final settlements without advice, especially if your medical condition is still evolving.

This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice. For specific guidance about a work injury in Dornach, consult a qualified Swiss lawyer or an appropriate advisory service as soon as possible.