Workplace Accident: Complete Guide on Reporting to IPS and Claiming Subsidies

Employers must report workplace accidents to Paraguay's Institute of Social Security (IPS) within eight days to ensure workers receive their legal benefits. Tanya Ibáñez, director of Labor Risks at IPS, outlined the key procedures for both employers and employees.

A work accident is defined by the IPS as any organic injury sustained by an employee due to or during their tasks, resulting in temporary or permanent disability, or death. This coverage applies regardless of the employee's tenure.

The protection extends to incidents occurring at the workplace, such as falls or burns, as well as "in itinere" accidents during the usual commute to or from work. It also covers injuries from violence, like assaults, suffered while performing job duties.

To formally report an accident, employers must visit the Labor Medical Management Department with specific documents. These include a three-copy accident report form, a medical certificate with a clear diagnosis, the insured's ID, employer identification, and a police report for traffic accidents or violence-related incidents.

Once the IPS qualifies the case, the worker is entitled to benefits. This includes a subsidy for temporary incapacity, covering 75% of the insured's salary for up to 12 months. If further recovery time is needed, a Medical Board will assess the situation to determine if the rest period can continue or if disability retirement should begin.