Lost a finger at work in Korea? Industrial accident insurance and your finger prosthesis, step by step
The order is treatment, then your insurance claim, then your prosthesis. Get emergency care first. If the accident happened at work, you can apply to the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL, 근로복지공단) for medical care benefits under Korea’s industrial accident insurance. Prosthetic devices are sometimes covered during rehabilitation, but this varies from person to person, so check with COMWEL before your prosthesis is made.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is written with workers in Korea in mind, including people who have come from abroad to work here. It explains the order of things after a finger injury at work and the Korean terms you are likely to hear. It is general guidance only: whether and how the insurance applies to you depends on your situation, and COMWEL is the official source.
What should I do first?
Emergency care and hospital treatment come first; the insurance claim and the prosthesis come later. While you are being treated, it helps to write down when the accident happened and what work you were doing, because the claim will need to show that it was a work-related injury.
How do I claim industrial accident insurance?
To have treatment covered, you apply to COMWEL for medical care benefits. The application describes how the accident happened and comes with a medical opinion from the hospital treating you. The route depends on the hospital.
| Your situation | How to apply |
|---|---|
| Treated at a COMWEL-designated hospital | Ask the hospital’s administration office to submit the claim on your behalf |
| Treated at a non-designated hospital | Fill in the application yourself, get the medical opinion from the hospital, and submit both to your local COMWEL branch by fax, post or in person |
| You need help | Call the COMWEL call centre (1588-0075) and leave a request; a staff member will call or visit to help you apply |
Forms, branch offices and designated hospitals can be found on the COMWEL website (www.comwel.or.kr). Even if your employer has not taken out industrial accident insurance, you may still be able to claim if the workplace is one the law requires to be covered. Requirements depend on how the accident happened and how you are employed, so treat COMWEL’s guidance, not this article, as the reference.
Korean terms you may hear
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 산재 (sanjae) | Industrial accident; also used for the insurance and the claim |
| 근로복지공단 | COMWEL, the agency that runs the insurance |
| 요양급여 | Medical care benefit, the claim that covers treatment |
| 산재지정 의료기관 | COMWEL-designated hospital |
| 원무과 | Hospital administration office |
| 소견서 | Medical opinion from your doctor |
Is a prosthesis covered?
During treatment and rehabilitation, prosthetic devices are sometimes covered as rehabilitation aids. Which products are covered, and to what extent, depends on what has been approved in your case and on your affected area. Checking with COMWEL before your prosthesis is made makes it easier to plan the schedule and approach during your consultation.
How is a finger prosthesis made?
- Your other hand is the reference — we cast the matching finger on your other hand so the prosthesis follows your own hand shape, rather than choosing a ready-made size.
- Check socket — before the final piece, you try a temporary prosthesis (a check socket) so we can confirm length, thickness and pressure and reflect your feedback.
- Suction fit — the inside is shaped to sit closely on your affected area, so it does not slip off easily in daily life.
- Skin tone and nails — an E-SKIN scanner (SPECTROMATCH, UK) measures your skin tone digitally, nails are made with our patented nail-making method, and creases and veins are matched to your other hand.
- Material — filled with medical-grade silicone all the way through, not just on the surface.
How long does it take, and what about aftercare?
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Fabrication — finger | 7–10 days |
| Fabrication — full hand | About 15 days |
| Consultation to delivery | About 4–6 weeks (three standard visits) |
| Express production | 1–2 weeks |
The type and extent of finger loss differ from person to person, so we look carefully at your affected area before deciding on an approach, rather than starting from a product. Silicone prostheses can wear with daily use; we provide after-sales support while you use yours, and if a repair is not possible we will guide you through a remake. Consultation is available in English.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for industrial accident insurance in Korea?
You apply to COMWEL (근로복지공단) for medical care benefits. If you are treated at a designated hospital, its administration office can apply for you, and the COMWEL call centre (1588-0075) offers a call-back service.
Will the insurance pay for my prosthesis?
Prosthetic devices are sometimes covered as rehabilitation aids, but eligibility and scope depend on your approved claim and condition. Check with COMWEL before your prosthesis is made.
I am a foreign worker. Does this apply to me?
Whether and how the insurance applies depends on your employment situation, so ask COMWEL directly. The administration office at the hospital treating you can also help with the forms.
Can I get a prosthesis while I am still being treated?
A finger prosthesis is usually considered once the wound has healed, swelling has gone down and the affected area has settled. The timing is confirmed with your medical team.
How long does it take?
Fabrication takes 7–10 days for a finger and about 15 days for a full hand. From consultation to delivery it takes about 4–6 weeks over three standard visits, or 1–2 weeks with express production.
