Work-related and commuting accidents, and accident reporting

Injured people who require medical care must be referred to a so-called transit doctor (Durchgangsarzt = D-Arzt). D-Ärzte are specialists in orthopedics and trauma surgery, are licensed by the state associations of statutory accident insurance, and possess specialized knowledge and experience in the entire field of trauma medicine. They work in doctor's offices or hospital emergency rooms. In cases of isolated eye, ear, nose, and throat, or dental injuries, a corresponding specialist must be consulted.

Civil servants are not subject to the D-Arzt procedure; they have free choice of physician following a work-related or commuting accident. After any work-related or commuting accident, the supervisor must be informed; in the case of student accidents, the institute or department administration must be notified. If initial care for the injured was provided by the fire department, the Occupational Safety Office requests a brief report.

Accident Report
Employees, Trainees, Students

Contrary to the instructions on older forms, an accident report must always be completed whenever medical treatment is required as a result of a work-related or commuting accident, thereby incurring costs. After an accident at work or on the way to work, no co-payments for medicines and remedies have to be paid. If necessary, point out to the doctor that it could be an accident insured by the accident insurance fund. In this case, you do not need to present your health insurance card, because the doctor will contact the Unfallkasse Berlin directly. 

The supervisor is responsible for preparing and signing the accident report within three days of the accident becoming known. Accident reports for students are signed by the relevant department or faculty administration.

The fully completed and signed accident report (all copies) must be sealed and forwarded to the Occupational Safety Office (DAS). For injuries that do not require a visit to the doctor, the entry in the first-aid logbook, which is included with every first-aid kit, serves as proof of insurance.

Civil cervants

If a physical injury has occurred as a result of a work-related accident or a commuting accident, an accident report must be filed immediately upon discovery, either by the civil servant themselves or by their supervisor. This report is then forwarded in a sealed envelope to the Human Resources Department.

Accident report forms can be downloaded from the following websites:

• Occupational Safety Office

http://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/baas/erste_hilfe_unfaelle/index.html

• Human Resources Department

http://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/abt-1/formulare/personal/index.html