Occupational injury

Last changed: 02 February 2023

An occupational injury report must be submitted if an employee or student is injured at work or during their studies. The same applies for incidents where someone could have been hurt. Registration is made in the IA-system.

Definition of occupational injury

An occupational injury is an injury suffered through an accident or another form of harmful action of work. If you are injured going directly to or from work, it sometimes counts as an occupational injury. It can also be classified as an accident on the way to or from work.

IA report and report to the Swedish Work Environment Authority and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency

All occupational injuries and incidents that occur must be registered in the IA-system by an employee or student. When the report is handled by the person responsible for the incident, a report must also be made to the Swedish Work Environment Authority and/or the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, in certain circumstances. Where the report is made depends on how serious the incident is. See the expandable menus below for more information.

Report a serious inury

Serious occupational injuries, where employees or students have been affected, must be reported by the employer to both the Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket) and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan).

A serious injury means an occupational accident with personal injury that has occurred at the workplace or other place, where the injured person was located. In the event of a serious accident, one or more people may have been seriously or slightly injured.

Serious occupational injuries must be reported promptly to the Swedish Work Environment Authority, which means that it should preferably take place on the same day. Registration is made by the manager, preferably via the report received in the IA system and the tab "Registrations". Examples of injuries that are considered serious.

If a occupational injury occurs abroad, the incident must be reported to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency but not to the Swedish Work Environment Authority. This is due to the fact that serious occupational injury reports is made in accordance with the Work Environment Act and only apply within Sweden.

Report a minor injury

Report a minor injury to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan).

An accident at work can sometimes be categorized as a minor injury, as a result of an accident that occurred at the workplace or other place, where the employee has been for work-related purpose. In order for an event to be counted as an accident, the process must be short-lived and arise in connection with a special event. Minor accidents, where an employee or student has been affected, must be reported to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The report is made by the manager, preferably together with the injured person. This notification can be registered via the report received in the IA- system and the "Notifications" tab. Examples of injuries that are considered minor injuries.

If an injury occurs abroad, in connection with a business trip or URA stationing, it must also be reported to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The occupational injury insurance covers the entire Swedish workforce, regardless of where in the world you are located.

Report a serious incident

Report a serious incident (allvarligt tillbud) to the Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket). 

Serious incidents must be reported to the Swedish Work Environment Authority. An incident is an event that could have led to personal injury. The report is made by the manager, preferably together with the injured person. This notification can be registered via the report received in the IA system and the "Notifications" tab. Example of a serious incident without personal injury.

Reimbursement for sickness

An occupational injury report is only tried by Försäkringskassan to the extent of deciding the right to reimbursement. Until the evaluation is completed, any sickness deductions are registered in the same way as for regular sickness. Medical, hospital, dental costs, etc. are paid by the employer in accordance with the salary agreement.

If an occupational injury is approved, Försäkringskassan may provide reimbursement, see www.forsakringskassan.se. In order to receive reimbursement for costs, you must show all treatment receipts, and the receipts must include your name and personal identity number.