Understanding Occupational Injury Benefits in Taiwan 01: What Can You Claim?

Tian is usually a diligent worker. However, his child, Little Tian, who just started kindergarten, began having a fever in the middle of the night yesterday. Since Little Tian could not go to school, Tian hurriedly contacted his mother-in-law early in the morning to come over and help take care of the child.

After taking care of everything, he left home later than usual. On top of that, he had not slept well the night before. While rushing to work, he was a little absent-minded. Unfortunately, the car in front of him suddenly braked. He failed to react in time and crashed into it. When he came to his senses, he felt severe pain in his left arm: a fractured clavicle.

“Boss, sorry… I’m at the hospital right now. I had a motorcycle accident on the way to work. The doctor took an X-ray and said my collarbone is fractured.”

“Okay, Tian, get some rest first. I’ll come visit you at the hospital later.”

That afternoon, the boss came to the hospital to see him, handed him a red envelope with NT$10,000, and wished him a speedy recovery.

“Tian, I’ll head back first. Listen to what the doctor says, and come back to work once you’ve recovered,” the boss said.

Tian underwent surgery that same day. After three days in the hospital, he returned home to recuperate.

Two weeks later, Tian received a call from the company manager.

“Tian, when can you come back to work? We’re short-staffed on site.”

“The doctor suggested that I rest for two months and told me not to lift heavy objects.”

“You can just come back and supervise the site. I won’t ask you to carry anything!”

Tian felt full of doubts and could not decide whether to agree to return to work. So he picked up the phone and called his aunt, who has thirty years of work experience.

“Tian, listen to me. Don’t be so naïve. This is a work-related injury—you can claim compensation!”

Dear readers, what are the occupational injury benefits in Taiwan? And how should one apply for it?

In the next article, we will continue explaining in detail the rights and protections available for occupational injuries. Stay tuned!