POSTĘPOWANIE DOWODOWE W SPRAWIE O USTALENIE WYPADKU PRZY PRACY

Abstract

Poland’s Supreme Court has repeatedly issued judgments acknowledging an employee’s right to bring an action to confirm that a given incident which occurred in his workplace was an accident at work. The purpose of such evidentiary proceedings is to establish the occurrence of a legal fact, viz. an accident at work. The burden of proof rests on the employee, but the employer does not remain passive during the process. Evidentiary proceedings under Polish labour law are independent in character and in many aspects depart from the general rules. To show that the conditions for an accident at work have been met, an employee may use any available means of proof, such as documentary evidence, witnesses’ statements, or expert opinions. Poland’s Supreme Court has repeatedly issued judgments acknowledging an employee’s right to bring an action to confirm that a given incident which occurred in his workplace was an accident at work. The purpose of such evidentiary proceedings is to establish the occurrence of a legal fact, viz. an accident at work. The burden of proof rests on the employee, but the employer does not remain passive during the process. Evidentiary proceedings under Polish labour law are independent in character and in many aspects depart from the general rules. To show that the conditions for an accident at work have been met, an employee may use any available means of proof, such as documentary evidence, witnesses’ statements, or expert opinions.Ugruntowana linia orzecznicza Sądu Najwyższego uznaje dopuszczalność kierowania przez pracownika powództwa o ustalenie, że określone zdarzenie miało charakter wypadku przy pracy. Celem postępowania sądowego jest potwierdzenie zaistnienia prawotwórczego faktu – wypadku przy pracy. Ciężar dowodzenia spoczywa na pracowniku, jednak pracodawca nie pozostaje bierny w toku procesu. Postępowanie przed sądem pracy ma charakter odrębny i w wielu aspektach odbiega od ogólnych reguł. W celu wykazania przesłanek wypadku przy pracy, pracownik może posługiwać się wszelkimi dostępnymi środkami dowodowymi, np. dowodem z dokumentów, zeznań świadków czy opinii biegłego