This calculation is for information only and does not replace the report that will be prepared by the actuarial expert appointed by the court. In work accidents, compensation depends on several stages, such as notification of the accident, the SGK (Social Security Institution) review, determination of fault and assessment of the disability rate. For an evaluation specific to your file, you can contact us.
What Is Work Accident Compensation and Who Can Claim It?
Work accident compensation aims to remedy the bodily and economic harm arising when an insured employee is involved in an accident at the workplace or while the work is being carried out. The employer is liable for the resulting harm to the extent that it has breached its duty to protect the worker's health and safety.
- The injured worker: In the event of permanent incapacity (disability), they may claim pecuniary compensation for the loss of earning capacity, as well as non-pecuniary (moral) compensation.
- Relatives of a deceased worker: The spouse, children and other dependants who have lost their financial support may claim compensation for loss of financial support, together with non-pecuniary compensation.
- Foreign national employees: Foreign workers who suffer a work accident in Turkey have the same rights; the claim is assessed on the basis of the place where the accident occurred and the employment relationship.
The income awarded and the treatment costs paid by SGK are a separate safeguard, and any harm not covered by these items is claimed from the employer.
How Is Work Accident Compensation Calculated?
Pecuniary compensation (incapacity / loss of earning capacity compensation) is calculated by an actuarial method under current Court of Cassation practice. The basic steps are as follows:
- Remaining life expectancy: The TRH-2010 National Mortality Table is used according to the injured person's age and gender. The previously applied PMF-1931 table is no longer taken as a basis.
- Active period (from the age at the accident up to age 60): The person's actual net income is taken as the basis. Documentable wages form the basis for loss of earnings.
- Passive period (from age 60 to the end of the remaining life expectancy): The net minimum wage is taken as the basis (for 2026, a net monthly amount of 28,075.50 TL; gross 33,030 TL).
- Progressive annuity: It is assumed that the annual income will increase by approximately 10% each year and, in return, will be discounted by 10%; these two effects offset one another, and roughly one year's income is taken into account for each year. The method of discounting at a fixed technical interest rate of 1.8% is no longer accepted as valid; as a conservative alternative, discounting at a technical interest rate of 1.65% may be applied.
- Disability rate: The total found is multiplied by the permanent incapacity (disability) rate.
- Fault deduction: The result is multiplied by (1 minus the injured person's own fault rate); that is, compensation arises to the extent of the employer's fault.
This calculator produces an estimate only for pecuniary (incapacity) compensation; the actual amount may vary according to the report of the expert to be appointed to the file.
Legal Basis: Relevant Laws
Work accident compensation is assessed at the intersection of several laws:
- Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331: Regulates the employer's obligations to protect the worker's health and safety, take the necessary measures and provide training. Breach of these obligations forms the basis of the employer's fault.
- Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510: Regulates the definition of a work accident, notification periods, the temporary and permanent incapacity income provided by SGK, and the income awarded to beneficiaries.
- Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098 (TBKTBKTurkish Code of Obligations No. 6098The statute behind almost every private agreement in Türkiye — contracts, liability for harm, lease, employment, agency and unjust enrichment.Glossary →): Sets out the general framework for liability for pecuniary and non-pecuniary compensation arising from tort and from the employer's breach of contract.
Within this framework, the employer is held liable to the extent of its fault; where there is no fault, or where the fault lies entirely with a third party or the worker, liability changes accordingly.
Matters Specific to Work Accidents: Notification, the SGK Process and Deduction
In work accident files, unlike traffic or other types of accident, the SGK process plays a decisive role:
- Accident notification: The employer must notify SGK of the work accident within the required time; notification forms the basis of the process and of the rights involved.
- SGK review and disability assessment: SGK and the medical boards determine whether the event qualifies as a work accident and the permanent incapacity (disability) rate.
- Determination of fault: The fault rates of the employer, the worker and any third parties are established through examination by an occupational safety specialist and a court expert.
- Deduction of the capitalized value: The capitalized value of the permanent incapacity income awarded to the injured person by SGK is deducted from the calculated compensation. This deduction prevents the employer from paying twice for the same harm and directly affects the amount of compensation.
For this reason, SGK documents, income-award decisions and fault reports are of great importance in work accident compensation.
The Difference Between Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Compensation
After a work accident, two separate types of compensation come into play, and they are determined differently:
- Pecuniary compensation: Covers measurable economic losses such as loss of earning capacity, reduced income, and treatment/care costs. The tool on this page estimates pecuniary (incapacity) compensation according to the actuarial method above.
- Non-pecuniary compensation: Is the counterpart of the pain, distress and grief experienced because of the accident. It is not calculated by a formula; it is determined at the judge's discretion, taking into account the severity of the event, the degree of disability, the parties' degree of fault and economic conditions.
Accordingly, non-pecuniary compensation is not included in this calculator and is assessed as a separate claim.
Frequently asked questions
What is the limitation period for work accident compensation?
Compensation claims arising from a work accident are, as a rule, subject to a ten-year limitation period under the TBK. Where the criminal limitation period is longer, this period may be extended. The period generally begins to run from the date on which the accident or the harm, and the party responsible, became known. To avoid losing your rights, it is advisable to obtain a legal assessment as soon as possible after the accident.
What documents are required for work accident compensation?
Generally, the SGK work accident notification and records, hospital and medical board reports, documents on the disability (permanent incapacity) rate, wage and service records (SGK service statement), payslips, the employment contract, any accident report, witness statements and occupational safety records are required. Missing documents can also be obtained during the process by the court and the expert.
How long does a work accident compensation case take?
The duration varies depending on factors such as determination of the disability rate, the fault examination, preparation of expert reports and the caseload of the file. It is not possible to give a single definite period. Obtaining the medical board reports and SGK records early helps the process proceed more smoothly.
How is the fault rate determined in a work accident?
The fault rate is determined by examining whether the employer took occupational health and safety measures, the worker's conduct and the involvement of any third parties. The court obtains reports from an occupational safety specialist and from experts. The employer is liable to the extent of its own fault; the injured person's own fault is deducted from the compensation proportionately.
Is the compensation calculated on the minimum wage?
Not entirely. In the active period, from the accident up to retirement age (60), the person's actual net income is taken as the basis; if this income can be documented, the calculation is made accordingly. In the passive period, from age 60 to the end of the remaining life expectancy, the net minimum wage is taken as the basis. In other words, the minimum wage is only the basis for the passive period and is not used for the active period when actual income can be documented.
Does this calculation tool give a definite result?
No. The tool provides an estimate based on the current method and helps you form a quick idea. The definite amount is determined according to the report that the actuarial expert appointed by the court will prepare by evaluating the disability and fault rates together with all the documents in the file. For this reason, the tool does not replace the expert report.
I am a foreign national or live abroad; can I claim compensation?
Yes. Foreign national employees who suffer a work accident in Turkey can also claim pecuniary and non-pecuniary compensation. As the process can mostly be conducted by power of attorney, being physically present in Turkey is not required at most stages. The assessment is made depending on the provision of documents and the employment relationship.
Is non-pecuniary compensation included in this calculation?
No. This tool estimates only pecuniary (incapacity) compensation. Non-pecuniary compensation is not calculated by a formula; it is determined separately at the judge's discretion, taking into account the severity of the event, the degree of disability, the degree of fault and the parties' economic conditions.
