6. Accident Compensation
The accident compensation system aims to compensate employees for damage or loss (injury, disease, disability or death) incurred in the line of duty or in the course of commuting to or from work. In addition, it provides for facilities and expenses incurred by an employee who has had an accident and compensation for his/her surviving family.
(1) Revision of Accident Compensation System
Amendment of the Compensation Law On October 12, 2004, the “Bill to Partially Amend the Government Employees’ Accident Compensation Law and Local Government Employees’ Accident Compensation Law to Revise the Grade of Disability Concerning Disability Compensation” was submitted to the 161st Diet. The bill was approved on November 19 of the same year and published as Law No. 144 on November 30, 2004. Improving Benefit Levels The following items regarding benefit levels of compensation and welfare service were improved and effective from April 1, 2004. (i) Nursing Care Compensation Nursing care compensation was lowered as shown below in response to a lowering of the monthly allowance for nursing care compensation benefits and nursing care benefits in workers’ compensation insurance, in accordance with a decrease in the level of remuneration. (See Figure 3.6.1) Figure 3.6.1
Classification Maximum Amount Full-time Nursing Care Minimum Amount 57,580 56,950 Amount Before Revision 106,100 (yen) Amount After Revision 104,970
Maximum Amount Part-time Nursing Care Minimum Amount
53,050
52,490
28,790
28,480
153
(ii) Supportive Scholarships The NPA provides supportive scholarships for recipients of survivor compensation pensions and others who have difficulties paying their children’s tuition. Of the monthly payment, the amount that applies to university students, etc. was raised from 36,000 yen to 38,000 yen (partial revision of NPA Rule 16-3).
(2) Implementation of Accident Compensation
The number of employees subject to the National Public Employees’ Accident Compensation Law is currently about 1.16 million (including employees of the Forestry Agency, Specified Independent Administrative Institutions, the Japan Post and part-time employees). The number of cases which were recognized as accidents in the workplace or accidents during the course of commuting in FY2003 came to a total of 15,810 (accidents in the workplace: 13,910; accidents during the course of commuting: 1,900), an increase of 1.5% from the previous year. In addition, the number of accident compensation cases and welfare provision cases processed during FY2003 came to a total of 36,756 (accident compensation: 29,234, welfare provision: 7,522), and involved total payments of approximately 14.2 billion yen (accident compensation: 11.2 billion yen; and welfare provision: 3.0 billion yen), an increase of 3.5% from the previous year. (See Figures 3.6.2, 3.6.3 and 3.6.4)
Figure 3.6.2: Number of Accident Compensation Cases
(cases)
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 (FY)
Accidents in the Line of Duty (Injury) Accidents in the Line of Duty (Disease) Accidents during Commuting
154
Figure 3.6.3: Accident Compensation Case Figures
(FY2003)
Disease Resulting from Injury 115 Infectious Hepatitis 111 Others 172 Come the Office 1,270 On the way home 630
Others 95
While Commuting 1,900
On Business trip 104 During-Recreational Activity 142 Commuting (in the line of duty) 143 Disease 398
On Duty 13,910 cases Indury 13,512 While Performing Duties 13,028
Figure 3.6.4: Sum of Compensation and Coverage Institution Charges
(FY2003)
Special Incapacity Support 347 Others 747 Rest-from-work support 370 Special Survirors Support 755 Special Survirors Pension 767
Others 594
Rest-from-work Compensation 1,101
Welfare Provision Pension 2,986 5,285 Total 14,206 million yen Other Compensation 5,395 Medical-care Compensation 4,240
Survirors Pension 3,789
Incapacity-compensation Pension 1,371 Injury-compensation Pension 125
155
(3) Accident Compensation System
Management of Compensation System The NPA held individual consultations or counseling with each implementing organization in regard to the authorization of accide nts in the line of duty and accidents while commuting to and from work, decisions on the grade of disability, and other matters. Particularly for the Specified Independent Administrative Institutions (SIAIs), the NPA provided various counseling services, responses to inquiries, guidance and other support in order to ensure the prompt and fair implementation of compensation. When medical decisions are necessary, the Health Specialist Committee, which comprises members specializing in internal medicine, circulatory organs, psychiatry, orthopedic surgery and other areas, is consulted. Training In order to make the accident compensation system more effective, the NPA held a conference and information seminar for personnel in charge of managing this system, and a study meeting concerning operational affairs. The NPA also held a conference seminar for personnel in charge of the operation of this system in the SIAIs as they became implementing organizations.
156