I was injured at work. What compensation can I get?

What the Law Says

The Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 (formerly the Workmen’s Compensation Act) governs compensation for work-related injuries in India. It applies to employees in factories, mines, plantations, construction sites, and other specified employments.

Compensation is payable if injury arises out of and in the course of employment, resulting in death, permanent total or partial disability, or temporary disablement.

The amount depends on the nature of injury, monthly wages (capped at ₹15,000 for calculation), age, and whether disablement is temporary or permanent. For permanent total disability, compensation is 60% of monthly wages × relevant factor (based on age), subject to a minimum of ₹1,20,000.

In case of death, dependents receive 50% of monthly wages × relevant factor, with a minimum of ₹1,20,000. For temporary disablement, employers must pay 25% of wages weekly during disablement, up to a maximum of ₹70% of wages per month.

Claims must be filed within 2 years of the accident or diagnosis — but the employer must be notified within 45 days of the injury.

Statutory Text

Where an employee suffers a personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, his employer shall be liable to pay compensation...

— Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, s. 3 — Liability for compensation

Statutory Text

Compensation for permanent total disablement shall be 60 per cent of the monthly wages of the injured employee multiplied by the relevant factor...

— Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, s. 4(1)(a) — Amount of compensation

Statutory Text

Every employer shall, within forty-five days of the occurrence of the accident, send a report... to the Commissioner...

— Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, s. 10 — Notice to employer and Commissioner

What to Do

Sources