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Workers' Compensation Law in Owerri, like the rest of Nigeria, falls under the umbrella of the Employee's Compensation Act, enacted by the Nigerian Government in 2010. This law provides a framework to compensate workers for disabilities, diseases, or deaths sustained in the course of employment. The law is enforced by the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and applies to all employers and employees in the public and private sectors.
Understanding and navigating the complexities of the Employee's Compensation Act can be difficult. You may need a lawyer to ensure you are appropriately compensated if you suffered an injury at the workplace, or if your loved one passed away due to a workplace accident. Lawyers can help you understand your rights, file for compensation claims, litigate on your behalf if there's a dispute, and ensure you get fair compensation.
The Employee's Compensation Act places a requirement on employers to contribute 1% of the total monthly payroll into the Employee’s Compensation Fund. The Fund covers medical expenses, disability benefits, and death benefits among others. It is compulsory for every employer, with at least three employees, to make this contribution within the first two weeks of each month. Failure to comply with this law attracts hefty fines and potentially jail terms for erring employers, which a lawyer can help you to enforce.
The law covers a wide range of occupational hazards leading to injuries or death, including industrial accidents, occupational diseases and mental stress disorders stemming from work situations.
Benefits include medical expenses, disability income benefits, and death benefits paid to dependents of a worker who dies as a result of a job-related injury or illness.
The timeframe for compensation varies widely and can take several months. It depends on the nature of the case and its complexity. Nevertheless, a lawyer can help expedite the process.
Yes, you can. If an employer defaults on payments into the Compensation Fund, the employee has the right to sue. A lawyer can guide you on the proper steps to take.
Yes, foreign workers are also covered as long as they are legally working in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has various resources to help you understand and navigate the Employee's Compensation Act. Their website has guidelines, dispute resolution methods, and a list of offices in different parts of the country including Owerri. The International Labour Organization (ILO) may also provide useful resources.
If you require legal assistance, your next step should be to get in touch with a competent lawyer experienced in Workers Compensation Claims. They should be able to guide you through the process of claim submission and represent your interest if there's any dispute. You should also report the injury or incident promptly to both your employer and the NSITF to kickstart the compensation process.
