Disability / Work Injury Benefit
Work injuries are divided into four categories:
(i) permanent total incapacity;
(ii) permanent partial incapacity;
(iii) temporary incapacity; and
(iv) fatal injury leading to the death of a worker.
In the case of permanent total incapacity/disability, a lump sum of 96 months of the insured worker's earnings is paid.
In the case of permanent partial disability, the amount of compensation depends on the assessed degree of disability. For a total permanent disability, the insured worker is paid a lump sum of 96 months (8 years) of reference earnings. A percentage of full lump-sum is paid according to the assessed degree of disability.
In the case of temporary disability, the benefit is paid periodically, as a lump sum or a combination of these methods, depending on the estimated duration of the disability. The temporary disability benefit is calculated as the difference between the insured worker's earnings before the disability began and the actual or potential earnings after the disability began.
In the case of fatal injury, dependents (widow/widower/minor children) receive survivors' benefit. A lump-sum of 60 months of insured worker's earnings is paid to the dependents at the time of fatal injury. A reduced benefit is paid if the survivor is only partially dependent.
A funeral grant is also paid by the employer for the funeral to the dependants, up to a maximum. If there are no dependents, the employer pays the entire cost of the funeral.
Source: §1-8 of Workmen's Compensation Act, 1987 (PNDCL 187), last amended in 1994; ISSA Country Profile for Ghana
