State to Compensate Humidifier Disinfectant Victims Without Lawsuits
A system allowing victims of humidifier disinfectant to receive compensation through a government-led review process, without filing separate damages lawsuits, takes effect on the 8th. The Office for Government Policy Coordination announced on the 7th that the state-led compensation system will be fully operational under the revised Special Act on Relief and Support for Humidifier Disinfectant Victims. Accordingly, the relief system will transition to a damages compensation framework in which the state and businesses share responsibility.
Compensation will be divided into categories including medical expenses, caregiving costs, disability and survivors' compensation (loss of income), funeral expenses, consolation money, and interest for delays. Medical expenses can be received as a lump sum, or through a combination of an initial partial payment followed by ongoing installments.
Applications for compensation review will be accepted for six months, from the 8th to April 7 of next year. Applicants must submit their application forms and supporting documents to the review committee, and can apply online through the Humidifier Disinfectant Victim Support Comprehensive Portal. Offline applications can be submitted at the Humidifier Disinfectant Compensation Review Committee Support Team in Sejong or at the compensation application reception desk of the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute in Bulgwang-dong, Seoul. Application consultations are also available at the victim communication center near Seoul Station.
The process has also been streamlined for those who already received relief under the existing special act. If they consent online to the use of previously submitted documents, their applications will be deemed filed. However, additional documents such as income records or medical records may be submitted.
The Office for Government Policy Coordination plans to form the compensation review committee within this month and begin reviewing claims. The head of the committee's support team said the review process will take victims' circumstances into account and strive to ensure that victims and their families receive fair and full compensation.
