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Work Injury Compensation in Singapore: How an Employee Makes a Claim
If you are injured at work, report the accident to your employer as soon as possible, get treated and give your employer the original medical certificates and bills. Work injury compensation Singapore rules, under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), let you claim without suing your employer. MOM says compensation covers medical leave wages, medical expenses, and a lump sum for permanent incapacity or death.
This guide follows MOM’s guidance for employees, last updated on 3 November 2026, and its guidance for employers. It is general information, not legal advice. Information is accurate as at 4 November 2026.
Work injury compensation Singapore: the first steps
MOM’s page sets out the sequence for an employee:
- Report the accident to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible. Delay can lead the employer to dispute that the injury is work-related.
- Give your employer the original medical certificate (MC) to claim medical leave wages. Keep a photocopy.
- Give your employer the original medical bills. The employer should pay the clinic or hospital directly. If you paid first, you should be reimbursed.
- For permanent incapacity, complete the claim forms and attend the medical assessment.
- Receive the notice stating the compensation payable.
The Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 is the governing statute.
What the employer must pay and by when
MOM’s employer guidance, last updated on 23 January 2025, states that the employer should pay medical leave wages by the next payday after receiving the original MCs. MCs from Singapore-registered doctors or dentists qualify, even from different hospitals.
Medical expenses should be paid directly to the hospital or clinic. If the employee already paid, the employer should reimburse within 14 days of receiving the original bills, provided a Singapore-registered doctor or dentist considers the treatment necessary. The employer must pay even while waiting for insurer reimbursement.
For non-fatal accidents, MOM says the employer must submit an incident report within 10 days of when it was first notified. Our guides on panel clinic sick leave fee reimbursement and teleconsultation MCs that are rejected cover related HR policy points.
Deadlines and timelines for employees
| Item | What MOM states |
|---|---|
| Accidents from 1 September 2020 | The claim is made once your employer is notified |
| Temporary to permanent incapacity | Submit the application form and doctor’s memo within 1 year of the accident |
| Typical processing for permanent incapacity | About 8 months, though some cases take longer |
| Payment if no one objects | Cheque issued within 21 days of service of the notice |
| Objection (policies from 1 January 2021) | Within 14 days of service of the notice |
For accidents before 1 September 2020, MOM states that a permanent incapacity claim must be filed within 1 year of the accident date.
If your employer does not report or pay
MOM says you can report the accident yourself through an iReport on the WSH Incident Reporting eService. You should also alert MOM if your employer does not pay medical bills or leave wages, or does not inform MOM of a serious condition.
Our guide to unlimited sick leave and what it really means clarifies related sick leave rules. Your eligibility continues even if you no longer work for the employer or your work pass has been cancelled. This matters for foreign employees. See our article on redeploying an injured foreign employee under WICA for the employer side.
WICA or a court claim: choosing the route
MOM states that you can claim under WICA or under common law, but not both. If you wish to withdraw a WICA claim to sue, strict windows apply. These are within 14 days of service of the notice if there are no objections, within 28 days if there are objections, or any time before the notice is issued.
Because that choice can affect your rights, take advice before withdrawing a claim.
Checklist for injured employees
- Get medical treatment and tell your supervisor the same day.
- Keep every MC and bill in original form, with photocopies.
- Photograph the scene and note witnesses, if it is safe to do so.
- Attend every medical assessment, because absence can suspend the claim.
- Keep copies of every form and notice you receive.
Checklist for employers
- Notify the insurer and report to MOM within the stated time.
- Pay MC wages by the next payday and reimburse bills on time.
- Keep an accident file with the incident report and treatment records.
- Do not discourage an employee from reporting.
Why speed matters
MOM warns that if you do not tell your employer promptly, the employer may dispute that the injury is work-related. A same-day report, even a short message, creates a record. Later, that record helps show when and how the accident happened.
Keep a short timeline too. Write down the date, time, place, task and who saw it. Photographs and messages can support the account, provided taking them is safe.
Foreign employees and work pass holders
WICA is not limited to locals. MOM states that eligibility continues even if you no longer work for the employer or your work pass has been cancelled. For a work pass holder, therefore, leaving Singapore quickly should not be treated as the end of the claim. Keep a contact address and email, and attend assessments as scheduled.
Documents to keep
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Original MCs | Needed for medical leave wages |
| Original medical bills | Needed for medical expense payment or reimbursement |
| Incident report copy | Shows what the employer reported |
| Notices from MOM or the insurer | Start the objection and withdrawal windows |
| Medical assessment appointment letters | Missing them may suspend the claim |
Frequently asked questions
Does my employer have to wait for the insurer before paying?
No. MOM says the employer must pay medical leave wages and expenses even while waiting for insurer reimbursement.
How long does a permanent incapacity claim take?
MOM says most cases take about 8 months, though some need longer for the injury to stabilise.
Can I claim under WICA and sue as well?
MOM says you can claim under WICA or common law, but not both. Take advice before you withdraw a WICA claim.
Next steps
Work injury cases can involve both compensation and employment questions, such as redeployment. For help with employment matters, contact the licensed team at Singapore Employment Agency. If you need legal advice, we can introduce you, with your consent, to an independent law firm.
The Editorial Team, Little Big Employment Agency
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