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This is a case study of the processes involved in attaining the status of ‘victim’ after an industrial accident. In this case a migrant working in the manufacturing industry becomes increasingly ‘disabled’ and seeks legitimation as a ‘victim’ who is ‘worthy’ of financial compensation. The institutional processes involved are the industrial, medical and legal systems.

Chronic pain is a condition that often defies an unambiguous diagnosis. Most chronic pain victims are therefore constantly seeking legitimation for their condition as physicians attempt to uncover the aetiology of the pain. Most chronic pain victims also fail to fulfil the expectation of getting well as soon as possible. Physicians can, at best, only give a prognosis that is little better than an ‘educated guess’. The conditional nature of the legitimacy gives the chronic pain victims only limited legitimacy for their sick role and this often results in physicians seeking …