Injuries

(1) Where a worker does not qualify under the Social Security Scheme for injury benefits, the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, shall be applied to all workers in case of personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of the employment or of scheduled occupational diseases contracted during the employment, provided that– (a) paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 3 of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, which states that an employer shall not be liable under this Act for such compensation if the injury does not incapacitate the workman whether totally or partially for a period of more than three days’, shall not apply; Belize Constitution 181 CAP. 303. (b) during the first 28 days of any period of total or partial temporary incapacity the injured worker may be granted either periodic payments in accordance with the Workmen’s Compensation Act, or full pay as if he were on sick leave under regulation 16, whichever is the greater, so that in either case– (i) his eligibility for sick leave under regulation 16 is not affected; CAP. 303. CAP. 44. (ii) after the expiration of 28 days he is eligible for further benefits only under the Workmen’s Compensation Act or Social Security Act; (iii) for the purpose of calculating any balance of a lump sum payable in respect of death or permanent incapacity he shall be deemed to have received only the amount of periodic payments to which he is entitled under the respective Act (2) If the injury requires treatment in a hospital, the worker shall be removed to hospital at once, where he will be given free treatment either as an inpatient or outpatient CAP. 303. CAP. 44. (3) Heads of Department are responsible, under the Workmen’s Compensation Act and Social Security Act for ensuring that all accidents at work are reported forthwith in the proper form to the Labour Department and the Social Security Board respectively. (4) Workers who receive any serious injury while in the employment of Government shall, provided they are capable of performing the work in question, be given preferential treatment when workers are laid off or engaged. 182 Belize Constitution