Key facts
- A 30-year-old nurse in China died from a brain hemorrhage after collapsing at work.
- Authorities ruled her death not work-related because the rescue efforts exceeded the 48-hour window stipulated by regulations.
- The nurse, Chen Jiajia, had worked at Guizhou Maotai Hospital for about eight years.
- Her family is devastated and has questioned the ruling, citing her good health and heavy workload.
- Relatives may pursue administrative review or file a lawsuit regarding the decision.
The death of a 30-year-old nurse in China from a brain hemorrhage while on duty has ignited public anger after authorities ruled her death not work-related. Chen Jiajia, a supervising nurse at Guizhou Maotai Hospital in Zunyi, collapsed with a severe headache and vomiting on August 4, 2026, while at work.
Colleagues immediately sought emergency treatment, and she underwent a craniotomy. Doctors diagnosed subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular bleeding, and acute brain herniation. Her family was later informed that she was too unstable to be transferred until August 13. She was moved to Southwest Hospital in Chongqing the following day, where specialists declared her brain-dead. She passed away on August 14, 2026, shortly after arriving home.
On September 17, 2026, the Zunyi municipal human resources and social security bureau issued a decision stating that while Chen Jiajia fell ill during her duties, her death did not meet the criteria for a work injury. The ruling cited Article 15(1) of the Work-related Injury Insurance Regulations, which requires death to occur on the spot or within 48 hours of unsuccessful rescue for it to be considered a deemed work injury. As Chen Jiajia's fight for life extended to ten days, the bureau concluded the legal test was not met.
Chen's mother, Mrs. Lin, expressed her anguish, highlighting her daughter's youth, regular health check-ups, and lack of underlying conditions, while also pointing to the demanding nature of her job, which often involved being summoned back to the hospital at night. She questioned how a child could accept burying a parent when the rescue period itself disqualified the death from being work-related.
Legal opinions are divided. Zhao Liangshan of Shaanxi Hengda Law Firm suggested the statute's 48-hour rule is strictly interpreted but noted that the family could pursue administrative review or litigation, though with a high risk of failure. He recommended that the Moutai Group and the hospital provide financial and educational support for Chen's son. Lawyer Fu Jian argued that the focus should be on whether work strain, pressure, or environment contributed to the illness, rather than the duration of rescue efforts.