Accident at work

A defect of the skin is defined as a (dermatological) occupational accident (§ 8 SGB VII) if one or more damaging occupational influences have significantly caused the defect during a work shift (see also occupational dermatoses and occupational skin disease). If a skin condition was caused by the effect of several work shifts (e.g. sunburn of a road worker), this can still be an occupational accident.

The form "Medical accident report" (F 1050) must be sent to the accident insurance institution/BG on the day of the first claim (source: e.g. www.hvbg.de; forms/doctors). In contrast to occupational diseases (of the skin), occupational accidents can be treated immediately at the expense of the BG according to the rates of the so-called "general medical treatment" of the UV-GOÄ.

Every doctor is obliged to immediately present the patient to an accident insurance physician (D-Arzt) if the work-related injury leads to incapacity for work or if the need for treatment is expected to last > 1 week.

Every doctor is obliged to immediately present the patient to a transit doctor (D-Arzt) if the work-related injury (or infection) leads to incapacity for work or the need for treatment is expected to last > 1 week.

COVID-19 as an accident at work: If, for example, an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurs in connection with an insured activity without the conditions for an occupational disease being met, the illness may constitute an accident at work. An infection without symptoms cannot be classified as an occupational accident. Symptomless infections therefore do not have to be reported. It is sufficient to document the infection and its circumstances in the first-aid book/reporting pad of the company or educational institution. In particular, it is important that information on occupational contacts with other infected persons (so-called index persons) is secured.