Eastern China Court Upholds 45,340 Yuan Award in Workplace Injury Dispute

Eastern China Court Upholds 45,340 Yuan Award in Workplace Injury Dispute

Case Overview

A civil appeals court in Eastern China has upheld a lower court ruling requiring a manufacturing factory to pay 45,340 yuan in compensation to an employee who suffered a work-related injury. The employee, Mr. Xu, was injured while operating a drilling machine and was later diagnosed with a Grade 7 disability. The appellate court rejected the factory’s argument that the injury was caused by the employee’s unauthorized actions and affirmed the original judgment.

Case Background and Facts

In May 2008, a factory in Eastern China specializing in die-casting products hired Mr. Xu for drilling and trimming work at a monthly salary of 900 yuan. On December 28, 2008, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Mr. Xu was operating a drilling machine in the factory workshop when his left thumb was severely injured by the equipment. He was immediately taken to a local hospital for treatment, with the factory covering his medical expenses.

On May 15, 2009, the local labor and social security bureau determined that Mr. Xu’s injury constituted a work-related accident. On July 3, 2009, the local labor capability appraisal committee classified his disability as Grade 7. On July 16, 2009, Mr. Xu terminated his employment relationship with the factory, citing that his injury had not healed sufficiently to allow him to work normally. After the injury, Mr. Xu received 3,000 yuan from the factory.

The factory challenged the work injury determination by filing an administrative reconsideration application with the local county government, which upheld the original determination. Mr. Xu then initiated arbitration proceedings. On August 2, 2010, the local labor dispute arbitration commission issued an arbitration award in favor of Mr. Xu. Dissatisfied with the award, the factory filed a lawsuit on August 17, 2010.

Court Proceedings and Evidence

The factory argued in court that Mr. Xu had left his post without authorization on the day of the accident and, out of curiosity, improperly operated a drilling machine when no supervisor was present. The factory claimed this constituted a violation of work rules and that the injury was not caused by work-related reasons. The factory asserted that the labor bureau had incorrectly applied the law and ignored witness testimony supporting its position.

Mr. Xu maintained that he was injured while performing his regular duties. He requested that the court uphold the arbitration award and reject the factory’s claims. The original trial court found that the factory failed to provide evidence regarding Mr. Xu’s actual wages, and therefore accepted Mr. Xu’s stated monthly salary of 900 yuan as the basis for calculating compensation.

During the appeal, the factory reiterated its argument that Mr. Xu had acted improperly and that the injury was not work-related. The factory also noted that it had filed an administrative lawsuit against the county government’s reconsideration decision but later withdrew the case. Mr. Xu responded that the factory should have challenged the work injury determination through administrative proceedings, not in this civil case.

Court Findings and Judgment

The appellate court held that the work injury determination by the labor bureau, which was upheld after administrative reconsideration, was legally binding. The court noted that the factory had initially challenged the determination through administrative channels and even filed a lawsuit but later withdrew it. As a result, the court accepted the labor bureau’s conclusion that Mr. Xu’s injury was work-related.

The court affirmed that Mr. Xu was entitled to compensation under the applicable regulations. The total award of 45,340 yuan included: 10,800 yuan for one-time disability subsidy (900 yuan per month for 12 months), 16,370 yuan for one-time medical subsidy, 16,370 yuan for one-time employment subsidy, and 1,800 yuan for wages during the medical treatment period (900 yuan per month for 2 months). After deducting the 3,000 yuan already paid by the factory, the remaining amount due was 42,340 yuan.

The appellate court dismissed the factory’s appeal and ordered the factory to pay the full amount within ten days of the judgment.

Key Legal Principles

The court applied the principle that administrative determinations regarding work-related injuries, once final and unchallenged through proper legal channels, are binding in subsequent civil proceedings. The court also emphasized that the burden of proof regarding an employee’s wages rests with the employer. When the employer fails to provide wage records, the court may accept the employee’s stated wage as the basis for calculating compensation.

Legal References

Regulations on Work-Related Injury Insurance (2003 version), Articles 29, 31, and 35.
Civil Procedure Law of the Peoples Republic of China (2007 version), Article 153, Paragraph 1, Item 1.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for specific legal matters.