Best Work Injury Lawyers in Kalundborg

About Work Injury Law in Kalundborg, Denmark

Work injury law in Denmark protects employees who are hurt in a sudden accident at work or who develop an occupational disease over time because of their job. The same national rules apply in Kalundborg as in the rest of Denmark. If you are injured, you may be entitled to compensation and benefits through the statutory workers compensation system, which is administered nationally. Your employer must have the required insurance, and claims are generally handled by Arbejdsmarkedets Erhvervssikring, often called AES.

The system is no-fault, which means you can receive compensation even if no one was to blame for the accident. Compensation can cover permanent injury, loss of earning capacity, certain expenses, and in fatal cases, benefits to dependents. Separate from workers compensation, you may also have a negligence claim against an employer or a third party if someone was at fault.

Kalundborg Municipality is responsible for sickness benefits and return-to-work support if you are off work due to your injury, while national authorities manage recognition and compensation of work injuries. Health treatment is primarily provided through the public health system, but work injury rules may cover certain additional costs and aids.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if your employer fails to report your accident, if there is a dispute about whether your injury is work-related, or if AES or the insurer denies or limits your claim. A lawyer can gather medical evidence, obtain witness statements, and ensure deadlines are met.

If your injury leads to long-term symptoms, a dispute often arises about your permanent injury rating or your loss of earning capacity. These issues significantly affect the size of your compensation. Legal help can be crucial to secure an accurate assessment and the correct calculation.

If someone was negligent, such as an employer ignoring safety rules or a manufacturer supplying defective equipment, you may have an additional claim for damages under general tort law. A lawyer can evaluate and pursue this alongside your workers compensation case.

If you are self-employed or a temporary agency worker, coverage and reporting rules can be more complex. Legal advice helps clarify whether you are covered and how to document your claim.

If you need to appeal an AES decision to Ankestyrelsen, strict timelines apply. A lawyer can prepare the appeal, obtain specialist medical opinions, and present your case clearly.

Local Laws Overview

Denmark’s workers compensation scheme is set out primarily in the Work Injury Insurance Act and related regulations. Key points include who is covered, what counts as a work injury, how to report, and how compensation is calculated. These national rules apply in Kalundborg.

Coverage generally includes employees, apprentices, trainees, and many agency workers. Self-employed persons are not automatically covered but can take out voluntary coverage. Some volunteers and students on work placements may be covered depending on the arrangement.

Work injuries include sudden accidents at work or on business travel, and occupational diseases caused by harmful influences at work. Occupational diseases can be recognized if they are on the official list or if there is strong medical documentation that the disease is caused by work exposures.

Employers must have statutory workers compensation insurance and must report an accident if the injured person is absent from work beyond the day of injury. Reporting is done in the EASY system and should be done quickly, typically within 9 days. If your employer does not report, you or your representative can report directly to AES. Doctors have a duty to report suspected occupational diseases.

Benefits may include compensation for permanent injury based on a medical rating, compensation for loss of earning capacity if you cannot earn as before, reimbursement of certain expenses such as transport to medical appointments, assistive devices, and in fatal cases, funeral expenses and benefits for dependents. Calculations use nationally set base amounts that are adjusted annually.

Most medical treatment is covered by the public health system. The municipality manages sickness benefits if you are off work and coordinates rehabilitation and return-to-work efforts through the Jobcenter. Your collective agreement may entitle you to paid sick leave from your employer for a period. After that, the municipality can pay statutory sickness benefits if you qualify.

Decisions by AES can be appealed to Ankestyrelsen. There are deadlines for appeals, usually a short period, so act quickly when you receive a decision. In some cases, you can ask AES to reopen a case if your condition changes significantly later.

In Kalundborg, local aspects include contact with Kalundborg Municipality for sickness benefits and job retention measures, and access to occupational medicine clinics within Region Zealand for specialized assessments that can support your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a work injury in Denmark

A work injury can be a sudden accident connected to your job, such as a fall, machinery accident, or exposure incident, or an occupational disease that develops due to work factors over time, such as hearing loss, certain skin or lung conditions, or repetitive strain injuries. The injury must be linked to your work tasks or conditions.

Do I need to prove fault to get compensation

No. The workers compensation system is no-fault. You do not need to show that your employer did something wrong. You only need to show that the injury happened because of your work. If someone was negligent, you may also have a separate claim for damages under general tort law.

How and when do I report a work accident

Tell your employer as soon as possible and make sure the accident is recorded. Employers must report accidents resulting in absence beyond the day of injury, typically within 9 days. If your employer does not report, you can file a report to AES yourself. Report promptly and keep copies of everything.

Who reports an occupational disease

Your doctor or specialist must report suspected occupational diseases to AES. You should inform your doctor about your work exposures and ask whether your condition should be reported. You can also contact AES yourself to ensure a report is made.

What benefits can I receive

Benefits can include compensation for permanent injury based on a medical rating, compensation for loss of earning capacity if your ability to earn is reduced, coverage of certain expenses such as travel to treatment or assistive devices, and in death cases, benefits to dependents. Sickness benefits are managed by the municipality if you cannot work temporarily.

How are compensation amounts calculated

Permanent injury is assessed as a percentage based on standardized medical criteria. The compensation for permanent injury and for loss of earning capacity is calculated using national base amounts that change over time. Loss of earning capacity is based on your pre-injury income and the percentage reduction in your ability to earn.

Can I sue my employer or a third party

Yes, if negligence caused your injury, you can pursue a separate claim under general tort law in addition to workers compensation. This can cover items such as pain and suffering, and any loss not covered by the workers compensation scheme. A lawyer can evaluate whether such a claim is worthwhile.

What are the deadlines

Report accidents and suspected occupational diseases as soon as possible. Employers must report qualifying accidents quickly. If a decision is made by AES, appeals generally must be lodged within a short deadline stated in the decision letter, often within weeks. Other limitation periods can apply to negligence claims, so do not delay seeking advice.

What if my employer does not have insurance

Employers are required to have the statutory insurance. If they do not, your claim can still be handled through the system, and the authorities can recover costs from the employer. You should still report the injury and seek advice.

Will filing a work injury claim affect my job

You have the right to report a work injury and to a safe workplace. Raising a claim or safety concern should not be a reason for negative treatment. If you experience issues at work after reporting an injury, contact your union or a lawyer to discuss your options.

Additional Resources

Arbejdsmarkedets Erhvervssikring AES administers the workers compensation scheme, assesses work injury claims, sets permanent injury ratings, and decides on compensation for loss of earning capacity. Contact AES for case status, guidance on documentation, and appeals information.

Arbejdstilsynet the Danish Working Environment Authority supervises workplaces, investigates accidents, and can issue orders to improve safety. Reports to Arbejdstilsynet help document the circumstances of your accident.

Kalundborg Municipality Jobcenter handles sickness benefits, return-to-work planning, and workplace adaptations. They may arrange meetings with you and your employer to support a safe and timely return.

Occupational Medicine Clinics in Region Zealand provide expert assessments of work-related conditions. An occupational medicine opinion can be important evidence for your AES case.

Your trade union and unemployment insurance fund can assist with reporting, case management, and legal support. Many unions have specialist teams for work injury cases and can represent you without extra cost beyond membership.

Legal expenses insurance is often included in household insurance policies. It may cover lawyer fees for appeals or negligence claims. Ask your insurer or lawyer to check your coverage and any excess.

Patient injury compensation may be relevant if you suffer an additional injury due to medical treatment received after a work accident. This is a separate system from workers compensation and can be pursued alongside your work injury case.

Next Steps

Seek medical attention immediately and describe the accident or work exposures to the doctor. Ask for your symptoms and the cause to be recorded clearly in your medical notes.

Notify your employer in writing, include date, time, location, witnesses, and a short description of what happened, and keep a copy. If there were witnesses, obtain their contact details.

Ensure the accident is reported in the workplace accident log and to AES. If your employer does not report, file the report yourself and contact AES to confirm receipt.

Collect evidence such as photos of the scene, equipment involved, safety instructions, and any correspondence with your employer. Keep a diary of symptoms, treatments, and days off work.

Contact your union or consult a lawyer experienced in Danish work injury law. Early advice can prevent mistakes, secure the right medical assessments, and protect your deadlines.

Coordinate with Kalundborg Municipality regarding sickness benefits and return-to-work planning. Attend scheduled meetings and share medical documentation as required.

Review any decision from AES promptly. If you disagree, speak to your representative about an appeal. Appeals have short deadlines, so act quickly.

If negligence may have caused your injury, ask your lawyer to evaluate a separate damages claim while your workers compensation case proceeds.

Do not sign settlement offers without advice. Confirm how a settlement affects ongoing benefits, taxes, and your right to reopen the case if your condition changes.

Focus on recovery and rehabilitation while your representative manages the legal process. Clear communication with your doctor, employer, municipality, and representative will support both your health and your case.