Reviewed 16 October 2026. When an insured person suffers an employment injury, ESIC may provide cash benefits during temporary incapacity, for permanent loss of earning capacity, and to eligible dependants if the injury results in death. Eligibility, medical certification, benefit rates and claim steps depend on the incident and the rules applicable to the claim. This guide gives a high-level overview; use ESIC’s current instructions for an actual claim.
Employment-injury protection is distinct from ordinary sickness benefit. The ESIC scheme describes disablement and dependant benefits as available without the ordinary contribution-period test when the person is insured on the date of the injury. The injury must meet the statutory test and the relevant medical and administrative requirements. For general coverage and contribution questions, see our ESIC guide and ESIC calculator.
Temporary disablement benefit
Where an employment injury temporarily prevents the insured person from working, ESIC’s published scheme guidance gives a benefit of about 90% of average daily wages for the period of certified incapacity. The amount and payable period are determined under the applicable provisions and medical certification. Do not promise a fixed number of days or assume that every absence after an incident qualifies.
Permanent disablement benefit
If the injury leaves a permanent loss of earning capacity, a duly constituted medical authority assesses the disability and the resulting benefit. ESIC guidance describes the full rate for total permanent disablement and a proportionate rate for partial disablement, based on the assessed loss of earning capacity. The medical assessment—not a simple percentage selected by the employer—determines the award. Review, appeal and payment arrangements follow the applicable ESIC procedure.
Benefit for dependants after a fatal employment injury
If an insured person dies as a result of an employment injury, eligible dependants may receive periodic dependant benefit. ESIC guidance describes the overall rate as about 90% of the deceased person’s average daily wages, divided among eligible dependants in the prescribed proportions. The persons who qualify, their shares and how long payments continue are governed by the current rules and the facts, such as dependency and family status. Do not use an informal “spouse/children percentage” table as a substitute for the prescribed allocation.
ESIC also provides funeral-expense assistance subject to its current eligibility conditions and amount. Confirm the latest amount and claim method with ESIC before advising a family; older online guides often quote superseded amounts or forms.
What an employer should do after an incident
- Arrange urgent medical help and make the workplace safe.
- Record the time, place, activity, witnesses and known circumstances. Preserve attendance, work assignment and incident evidence.
- Notify ESIC promptly through the current employer channel, using the form and timeline that apply to the establishment and incident. Serious or fatal incidents may also trigger separate workplace-safety reporting duties.
- Give the worker or family the insured person’s ESIC details and cooperate with the medical and claim process.
- Keep the submitted report and acknowledgement. Correct errors through ESIC’s official process and avoid publishing private medical information.
Do not rely on old instructions that universally require a specific form within 24 or 48 hours. ESIC’s current portal, notifications and the applicable law control the report route and deadline.
Official guidance
- ESIC: Standard Note and benefit overview.
- ESIC: employer services, notifications and claim guidance.
- India Code: Code on Social Security, 2020.
Benefit decisions are made by the competent authority based on the facts and prescribed procedure. For Kerala ESIC assistance, see our ESIC services or contact GHR Consultancy.