Occupational Disease Proof: Recognition & Methods

In order to be recognized when applying for an industrial accident due to an occupational disease, you must specifically prove that the disease has a significant causal relationship with work. For this, you can use the following methods:

1. Proof of work attribution and work performance: You must prove that the disease occurred due to exposure to harmful or risk factors that occurred during the work process or is directly related to work performance. For example, you can prove that your work environment was exposed to certain chemicals, or that you were overworked due to excessive workload.
2. Proof of worker status: The applicant must prove that he or she is an employee under the Labor Standards Act. This means a person who provides labor to a business or workplace for the purpose of wages, and may include not only regular workers but also daily workers, part-time workers, and dispatched workers.
3. Obtaining a medical opinion: It is important to receive a written opinion from your doctor or related specialist that specifies the relationship between your disease and work. This should include the diagnosis of the disease, how it occurred, and its relationship to the work environment.
4. Gather Evidence: You must collect a variety of evidence that can support the connection between work and disease, such as employment contracts, job descriptions, first aid activity logs, medical records, health insurance salary history, testimony from fellow workers, and photos or videos of the work environment.
5. Write a statement of opinion: In the application and reasons submitted to the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, you must write in detail the basis for claiming that the disease occurred at work, and if necessary, you can write and submit an opinion with the help of an expert. This serves as an important basis for the Corporation to determine whether or not to approve an industrial accident.