Is it reasonable for a company to refuse to pay 200,000 yuan in compensation after a woman fell in the restroom and became disabled?

[2] Recently, a highly publicized work-related injury dispute occurred in the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The case involves Yu (pseudonym), an employee of a supermarket in Wenshan, who accidentally fell while using the restroom during work hours, resulting in multiple fractures across her body, diagnosed as a level-nine disability by the hospital. This accident not only caused Yu immense physical suffering but also sparked a profound discussion on work injury recognition and corporate responsibility.

[3] On the night of the incident, unable to walk, Yu was carried by her husband to clock out and then immediately taken to the hospital for examination. The diagnosis revealed severe injuries with multiple fractures. Faced with this sudden blow, Yu had to endure a long recovery process and substantial medical expenses. To protect her legal rights, she applied for work injury recognition from the local Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. Unexpectedly, the supermarket initially raised no objections and stamped approval for the work injury claim.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn. When the company learned that it had not paid work-related injury insurance for Yu and that the total compensation for medical expenses and other subsidies amounted to 201,504.24 yuan, it suddenly reneged and filed an administrative lawsuit with the court of first instance, seeking to revoke the already issued Work-Related Injury Decision. This move undoubtedly disregarded Yu's rights and interests, and also sparked widespread public attention and discussion.

So, is the company’s refusal to pay 200,000 yuan reasonable? From a legal perspective, the answer is clearly no. According to the relevant provisions of the Regulation on Work-Related Injury Insurance, regardless of whether the employer has paid work-related injury insurance for its employees, an employee who suffers a disability during work due to work-related reasons shall receive corresponding compensation. Although Yu’s fall while using the restroom during work at the supermarket may appear to have no direct connection to his work, it was in fact to address a physiological need and has a causal relationship with his job duties. This falls within the circumstances that should be recognized as a work-related injury, namely “being injured in an accident while engaged in preparatory or concluding work related to one’s job within the workplace before or after working hours.” Therefore, the determination of Yu’s injury as a work-related injury is lawful and reasonable.

[6] Furthermore, the Social Insurance Law and the Work Injury Insurance Regulations explicitly stipulate that employers must pay work injury insurance for all their employees or workers. This is a legal obligation of the employer and cannot be exempted for any reason. Thus, the company's failure to pay work injury insurance for Yu not only violates the law but also entails corresponding compensation liability.

In this case, both the court of first instance and the court of second instance determined that Yu's injury constituted a work-related injury, and since the company had not paid work-related injury insurance premiums for him, it should bear the compensation liability. This ruling not only upheld Yu's legitimate rights and interests but also reflected the law's protection of employee rights. The company's backtracking and appeal not only failed to resolve the issue but instead exacerbated the conflict between the two parties and damaged the company's image and reputation.

In summary, the company's refusal to pay the 200,000 yuan claim is unreasonable. It not only violates legal provisions but also contravenes basic ethics and professional integrity. This case once again reminds us that workplace safety and the determination of work-related injuries cannot be overlooked, and both enterprises and employees should always pay attention to the protection of their rights and legal responsibilities. At the same time, we call on all sectors of society to strengthen their attention to and support for workplace safety and employee welfare, working together to create a harmonious, safe, and fair working environment.