Best Workers Compensation Lawyers in Thivais

About Workers Compensation Law in Thivais, Greece

In Greece, workers compensation is handled primarily through the national social insurance system rather than a separate private insurer model. If you suffer a work-related accident or an occupational disease in Thivais, your medical care and income support are generally provided by the Unified Social Security Fund known as e-EFKA, together with the national health system. At the same time, employers have strict health and safety duties and may be civilly liable for additional damages if they are at fault or if specific legal conditions are met.

A work accident is typically any sudden event occurring during work or because of work that causes injury or death. Occupational diseases are illnesses caused by exposures or conditions inherent in the workplace. Both categories can entitle you to medical treatment, cash benefits during temporary incapacity, disability benefits if long-term limitations arise, and survivor benefits for dependents in fatal cases. The Hellenic Labour Inspectorate investigates serious incidents and enforces health and safety laws. In Thivais, cases follow national rules, but they are administered locally through regional inspectorate offices, EFKA branches, and public health services that serve Boeotia and Central Greece.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

While many claims are straightforward, legal help can be vital when the facts or the law are contested. A lawyer can add value in several common situations in Thivais and across Greece. If EFKA disputes whether the accident or illness is work-related, a lawyer can help gather medical and witness evidence and frame the claim correctly. If your benefit calculation seems incorrect, counsel can check insured days, wages used for the calculation, and coordination with employer obligations. If the employer or a third party may be at fault, a lawyer can assess whether you have a civil claim for additional compensation alongside EFKA benefits. If you face pressure to return to work too early, unsafe assignments, or retaliation after reporting an accident, legal advice can help protect your job rights. If you require a KEPA disability assessment, a lawyer can help you prepare for the medical evaluation and appeal if the rating is too low. In fatal or severe injury cases, legal counsel is particularly important to preserve evidence, meet deadlines, and navigate parallel investigations by the Labour Inspectorate and the police.

Local Laws Overview

Greece regulates workplace accidents and diseases through a combination of social insurance rules and health and safety legislation. Several pillars are especially relevant in Thivais.

Employer liability and employee rights. Law 551 of 1915 on occupational accidents still plays a key role. It sets special employer liability rules for accidents arising from the operation of an enterprise. Depending on the circumstances, an injured worker may claim social insurance benefits and may also bring a civil claim against the employer if there was fault or if the legal requirements for special liability are met. In civil claims, the worker can seek compensation for losses not covered by EFKA, including moral damages, subject to Greek civil code rules and applicable limitation periods.

Health and safety duties. The Code of Laws on Health and Safety at Work established by Law 3850 of 2010 consolidates the main duties of employers, including written risk assessment, training, provision of personal protective equipment, and appointment of a safety officer and, where required, an occupational physician. EU directives are implemented in Greece, so standards for machinery, hazardous substances, noise, and PPE apply. Employers must keep an accident book and investigate incidents to prevent recurrence. The Hellenic Labour Inspectorate is now an independent authority with powers to inspect and sanction, as restructured under recent labor reforms.

Accident reporting and investigation. Work accidents must be reported promptly to the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate by the employer, typically within 24 hours for serious events, and to the police in cases of severe injury or death. Employers generally use the national employment information system to file notifications and they must document corrective measures. Workers should also notify the employer without delay and seek medical care immediately, making sure the medical record notes the work-related cause.

Social insurance benefits. If EFKA accepts the case as a work accident or occupational disease, medical care is provided through the national health system and contracted providers. Cash benefits for temporary incapacity can be paid if insured conditions are met. For lasting impairments, KEPA medical committees determine a disability rating that can lead to a disability pension or a lump-sum benefit depending on insured time and degree of disability. In fatal cases, survivor benefits can be available to a spouse, children, or other dependents. Travel expenses for required medical treatment may be reimbursed in some situations.

Wages during absence. Greek law provides that employers owe short-term wage obligations at the start of a medically certified incapacity, with EFKA taking over sickness benefits after the initial period if conditions are met. The exact split depends on insured days, contract type, and collective agreements. A lawyer or a local EFKA office can clarify the amounts in a specific case.

Protection against retaliation. Workers have the right to report hazards and accidents. Dismissal during protected medical leave can be unlawful. Discrimination or retaliation for reporting a work accident or for cooperating with an inspection can trigger administrative penalties and potential civil liability for the employer.

Local administration in Thivais. Thivais is served by regional branches of e-EFKA for claims and benefits processing, the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate for inspections and accident investigations in Boeotia, the 5th Health Region of Thessaly and Central Greece for public health services, and local hospitals and clinics for emergency and follow-up care. Legal proceedings typically fall under the local civil courts with venue rules based on the workplace or the place of the accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a work accident in Greece

A work accident is an unforeseen event that causes injury or death and occurs during the performance of work or because of work. It includes incidents at the workplace, at a client site, or off site during a job assignment. It can include acute events such as falls and exposures as well as certain commuting accidents when there is a direct and usual route connection to work.

Are commuting accidents covered

Commuting accidents can be recognized if they occur on the direct and customary route between home and the workplace and are closely connected to work start or end times. Deviations for personal reasons can break the connection. EFKA reviews the facts case by case.

What should I do immediately after a work accident

Seek medical care at once and tell the doctor it was work-related so it is recorded that way. Inform your employer as soon as possible. Keep copies of medical records, referrals, receipts, and any photos or witness details. If the injury is serious, call emergency services. Prompt reporting helps both EFKA processing and any Labour Inspectorate inquiry.

How do I start an EFKA claim

You file a claim for benefits with your local EFKA branch or through the official digital services. You will need your identification, insurance details, a medical certificate stating the work-related nature of the injury or disease, and any employer accident report. Deadlines apply for filing, so do not delay.

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

No. EFKA benefits are social insurance benefits and do not require proof of employer fault. You must show that the accident or disease is work-related. Fault matters if you wish to pursue an additional civil claim against the employer or a third party for damages that go beyond EFKA benefits.

How are cash benefits calculated

Temporary incapacity benefits are based on insured wages and insured days according to EFKA rules. There is usually a short initial period where the employer owes a portion of wages, followed by EFKA benefits if eligibility conditions are met. For long-term impairments, KEPA assigns a disability percentage that determines the level and type of disability benefit or pension.

What if EFKA denies my claim

You can file an administrative objection and submit additional medical evidence, witness statements, or workplace documentation. If the issue is a medical assessment, you can request re-examination by KEPA. A lawyer can help prepare the file and, if needed, bring the case before the competent courts within the required deadlines.

Can I sue my employer in addition to receiving EFKA benefits

Yes, in some cases. Under Greek law, if the employer was at fault or if specific statutory conditions for employer liability apply, you may seek compensation in civil court for losses not covered by EFKA, such as pain and suffering. EFKA benefits are not waived by bringing a civil claim, but any amounts may be offset according to the law to avoid double recovery.

What if I am a seasonal, temporary, or undocumented worker

Coverage depends on insurance status and the nature of the work relationship. Seasonal and temporary workers are generally covered if properly insured. Undeclared work complicates matters, but you may still have rights against the employer and may be entitled to EFKA benefits once the employment relationship is established. A lawyer can help document the relationship and enforce your rights.

How long do I have to take legal action

Deadlines vary by the type of claim. Accident reporting deadlines are short and should be met immediately. EFKA benefit claims must be filed within specific administrative time limits. Civil claims have limitation periods that can be shorter than general tort rules in some scenarios. Because deadlines are strict and fact dependent, seek legal advice promptly.

Additional Resources

e-EFKA Unified Social Security Fund for work accident and sickness benefits and for processing of occupational accident claims.

KEPA Disability Certification Centers for medical assessment of disability percentage related to work injuries and occupational diseases.

Hellenic Labour Inspectorate independent authority responsible for workplace inspections, accident investigations, and enforcement of health and safety rules in Boeotia and nationwide.

EOPYY National Organization for the Provision of Health Services for access to contracted healthcare providers and reimbursement framework for medical care.

DYPA Public Employment Service for employment support during recovery and reintegration programs where applicable.

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for policy, regulations, and oversight of labor and health and safety standards.

Local EFKA branch and the regional Labour Inspectorate office serving Thivais and Boeotia for in-person guidance on filings, reports, and inspections.

Local public hospitals and health centers in Thivais and Central Greece for emergency treatment, medical records, and referrals related to work injuries.

Local bar associations and legal aid services in Boeotia and Athens for referrals to lawyers experienced in workplace accidents and social insurance law.

Next Steps

Prioritize your health. Get medical attention immediately and keep all medical documents. Make sure the records mention that the injury or illness is work-related.

Notify your employer in writing as soon as possible. Ask for a copy of the employer’s accident report and for confirmation that the incident was reported to the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate where required.

File your EFKA claim quickly. Contact the local EFKA office serving Thivais for guidance on the documents needed. Submit medical certificates, your insurance details, and any witness information.

Preserve evidence. Keep photos, messages, shift schedules, protective equipment records, and names of coworkers who saw the accident or can confirm working conditions.

Consider legal advice early. A lawyer can help you avoid missed deadlines, prepare KEPA evaluations, challenge denials, and assess any civil claim for additional compensation against an employer or a third party.

Do not sign waivers or settlements without advice. Clarify whether any payment affects your EFKA benefits or a potential civil claim.

Follow medical advice and attend all appointments. Noncompliance can affect benefit entitlement and recovery.

If there are safety issues at your workplace, you can report them to the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate. You are protected against retaliation for making a good faith report.

If a family member was fatally injured, seek assistance with survivor benefits and with the investigation. Legal counsel can coordinate with authorities and secure claims on behalf of dependents.

Act promptly. Time limits in this area can be short and missing them can reduce or bar your rights. Early action typically leads to better outcomes.