Injured on Duty? A Practical IOD Guide

A workplace injury can change your life in an instant. If you have been hurt at work in Cape Town or the surrounding areas, Le Roux and Lemmer help you understand your rights and get the right orthotic or prosthetic device to get back on your feet.

This guide answers the questions injured workers ask most.

What is an Injury on Duty (IOD)?

An Injury on Duty is any injury or illness that arises out of and in the course of your employment. This includes accidents at the workplace, during work-related travel, or while performing work duties, and it extends to occupational diseases contracted due to the nature of your work. These cases fall under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA), managed through the Compensation Fund.

Who is covered?

All employees who work more than 24 hours a month for an employer are covered, with limited exclusions. Domestic workers are now included after the Constitutional Court ruling in 2020.

How does the claim process work?

COIDA is a no-fault system, which means you can be compensated even if nobody was negligent. Importantly, employees do not claim directly from the Compensation Fund. The employer is responsible for initiating the claim and submitting the paperwork, but the benefits are ultimately paid to or on behalf of the injured worker.

In short: report the injury to your employer, get medical treatment, and your employer reports it to the Fund. The employer must report the incident to the Compensation Fund within 7 days using the Employer's Report of Accident (Form W.CL.2), along with a First Medical Report from the treating doctor.

How long do I have to claim?

Under the 2026 COIDA amendments, the window is much longer than before. Employees now have three years from the date of an accident or diagnosis to bring a compensation claim, extended from the previous 12-month period.

Will I be paid while I am off work?

If you are off work for 3 days or less, no compensation is paid, and it is advised to use sick leave. If you are off for more than 3 days, you receive compensation, which also covers the first 3 days. For total temporary disablement, you receive 75 percent of your normal monthly wage as compensation.

Can I claim for a prosthesis or orthotic device?

Yes. The Fund pays medical expenses, temporary and permanent disability benefits, and, where necessary, death benefits. Assistive devices such as braces, orthoses, and prostheses form part of this medical care. Many injured workers simply do not know this, which is where we come in.

How Le Roux and Lemmer can help

As qualified orthotists and prosthetists, we assess, design, and fit custom devices for people recovering from workplace injuries. We create a solution made specifically for your body and your needs, never off the shelf, and we help coordinate the process with your doctor, employer, and the Fund.

What to bring to your first assessment

Your ID document

Your WCA documents

Your latest payslip

Your referral letter

If you are missing something, come anyway. We would rather see you and help you sort out the paperwork than have you wait.

From injury to independence

We start with a thorough assessment, design and fit the right device, and stay with you through follow-up reviews and adjustments as you regain mobility. The goal is always the same: helping you return to work and to independence on your own terms.

Book your IOD assessment today

If you or someone you know has been injured at work, you do not have to face the process alone.

Phone: 083 250 8067