Case Study: Protecting Our Insured from Unwarranted Claims under WICA
The Work Injury Compensation Act (“WICA”) is designed to offer employees a low-cost and efficient resolution for work-related injury claims on a no-fault basis. As noted by the High Court in Pang Chew Kim v Wartsila Singapore Pte Ltd case, “WICA should be interpreted in favour of employees who have suffered injury during their employment.” This makes WICA claims challenging to disprove as spotlighted in the news report on Sumo Salad.
In such instances, MSIG’s claims handlers play a vital role in protecting our Insured from unjustified compensation while ensuring genuine claims are fairly addressed.
Client Background
A migrant worker employed by our Insured, a construction company, submitted a WICA claim to the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”), alleging he had sustained a back injury while lifting a heavy load at the Insured’s office store. He was awarded 77 days of medical leave. The employee engaged a law firm to represent him in the matter, following the expiry of his work permit.
MSIG’s Response
MSIG promptly appointed an investigator to evaluate the legitimacy of the claim after the Insured raised concerns regarding inconsistencies in the employee's account of the work-related injury. The Insured demonstrated full cooperation throughout the process, leading to the following findings:
- The employee’s account of the incident was inconsistent, as he changed the alleged accident date.
- Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the employee was not present at the office store on the alleged date.
- WhatsApp messages further revealed that the employee was at another worksite on the alleged date.
Results and Outcome
MSIG declined the claim after reviewing the factual evidence and submitting all supporting documents to MOM. Despite the law firm’s insistence on proceeding with a medical assessment under WICA, we maintained our position that the evidence did not support the claim.
As no objections were raised by the employee and their legal representative, the claim was officially closed.
Why this Matters
It demonstrates MSIG’s commitment to safeguarding our Insured’s interests. Even under the strict evidence requirements of WICA, MSIG’s proactive investigation and close collaboration with the Insured helped ensure that the policy was not misused for unjustified compensation.
