Danish authorities have filed 671 police reports against employers and healthcare providers under new workplace injury rules. The legislation requires professionals to respond to information requests within 14 days or face potential fines.
Workplace Safety Denmark (AES) implemented the regulation last summer to accelerate injury claim processing. The agency handles workplace accident and occupational disease cases.
Officials confirm the first reports were filed in October, reaching 671 by September. "This tool helps us obtain necessary information faster to move cases forward," AES stated.
The 14-day response deadline begins when AES requests information. Missing the deadline triggers a reminder with another 14-day period. Continued non-compliance leads to police involvement.
First-time offenders face 5,000 DKK fines (approximately $720), while repeat violations draw 10,000 DKK penalties. Only insured employers, public authorities, and healthcare providers fall under these rules. Private individuals cannot be fined for non-response.
Employment Minister Kaare Dybvad recently met with party representatives to address processing delays that have plagued the system for years.
"This is a wild number," said SF employment spokesperson Karsten Hønge. "It shows far too many workplaces aren't meeting their employer responsibilities."
Conservative Party employment spokesperson Dina Raabjerg called the figure "completely wild" and agreed with her colleague. "This shows something is desperately wrong," she added.
Average processing times have consistently exceeded political targets of seven months for standard cases and 20 months for loss of earning capacity claims. Currently, 8,000 injury cases have lasted over two years—double the official target. More than 1,000 Danes have waited over ten years for case resolution.
The Danish Medical Association expressed concern about pressure on doctors. Chairman Camilla Rathcke described the penalty system as problematic.
"Doctors return from vacation to find they've been reported to police for missing deadlines," Rathcke explained. "The issue isn't lack of cooperation. We're very unhappy with this system and doubt it addresses the real causes of AES processing delays."
National Police confirm reports are forwarded to local districts, though no specific tracking exists for these cases. Midt- and Vestsjællands Police follow guidelines from AES and the Danish Working Environment Authority.
AES maintains that processing delays depend not only on their work but also on information submissions from other parties and potential appeals.
The substantial number of police reports suggests enforcement is happening, but whether it actually speeds up the system remains uncertain. With thousands of cases stuck in bureaucracy, the new rules appear to be adding pressure rather than solving underlying structural issues.