However, a medical certificate is not required. Section 54 (2) (b) indicates:
“A claim shall be made by giving the relevant authority:
(b)except where the claim is for compensation under section 16 or 17 - a certificate by a legally qualified medical practitioner ...”.
Not only does this paragraph provide the legal basis to determine a death claim without a certificate, it also allows for prompt payment of any medical costs under section 16, which may have arisen pursuant to the employee's death.
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Example |
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An employee is in a single vehicle accident and is transported to hospital in an ambulance, but dies on the way. As he has no dependants, compensation is not payable under section 17. |
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However, the cost of the ambulance must be covered. |
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The ambulance firm is entitled to make a claim for payment under section 16 (9) of the Act. No medical certificate is required for this claim, as indicated by section 54 (2) (b). |
In cases of injury resulting in death, witness and employer statements may also be appropriate. For diseases, comprehensive medical evidence will usually be required, establishing whether the death is related to the disease.