The short answer
To report a possible relapse, look for the original claim number. If it is unavailable, establish the accident date and the employer at the time, then clarify the reporting procedure with the insurer or that former employer. New pain alone does not prove a link to the accident or acceptance of the claim.
1. Establish the details of the original claim
Look for the original report, correspondence from the insurer and any retained statements. Note the claim number, accident date and contact details of the employer at the time. If these details are missing, ask how to locate the file rather than choosing one on an approximate basis.
The employee may have changed employer, name or address since the event. Gather current contact details and clearly indicate what has changed. Keep only the necessary administrative references, old and current, in a record with restricted access to facilitate communication.
2. Report the facts without deciding the medical link
Describe the new situation, including its dates and any certified incapacity. Distinguish a new event from a claim linked to the previous accident. Do not alter the chronology to fit the situation into an expected category.
The causal link and recognition of the relapse must be examined by the appropriate parties. The employer does not establish this link from a recollection or a verbal description of pain. Medical documents go through authorised channels; HR retains the necessary administrative information.
3. Clarify who receives the report
Ask the insurer handling the original claim to confirm the procedure and recipient. The former employer may help locate the reference or instructions without necessarily being the reporting channel. Clarify the documents required; do not assume that the current employer's insurer automatically becomes responsible.
The current employer organises the absence and the procedures that concern it. It may facilitate the transmission of administrative information with appropriate consent and within the proper framework, without replacing the original claim process. Designate a contact so that the employee does not have to repeat the same information in every exchange.
4. Follow up the response and practical consequences
Request a written position setting out how the claim is being handled, the information still required and the follow-up contact. An acknowledgement of receipt is not a decision to provide cover. Record outstanding questions, the follow-up date and the replies received.
Then reconcile decisions with statements and salary records, without announcing a benefit before confirmation. A UVG/LAA relapse and a relapse under sickness daily allowance insurance fall under different frameworks: use the sickness daily allowance insurance guide for a sickness claim, not as a rule for handling an accident.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if the accident number has been lost?
Prepare the date and contact details of the employer at the time. Contact the parties involved in the original claim to locate its reference and confirm the reporting procedure.
Does my new employer's insurer have to pay?
Not automatically. The possible relapse must be linked to the correct file and examined; a change of employment alone does not make the current insurer responsible for the claim.
Is the return of old pain a recognised relapse?
It warrants clarification of the situation, but does not alone establish the causal link or acceptance. Report the facts and leave the medical assessment to the appropriate professionals.