Car Accident Lawyers Gold Coast

• Who can claim work injury compensation?
• What types of workplace injuries can I claim compensation for?
• What expenses are covered by workers’ compensation?
• Understanding work accident compensation
• How do I claim?
• How long do I have to make a workers’ compensation claim?
• Do I need a workers’ compensation lawyer for a claim?
• When should I contact a workers’ compensation lawyer?

Who can claim work injury compensation?

The workers’ compensation scheme covers anyone employed under a contract of service, regardless of their tax paying status. A worker can include a person working under an ABN, subject to certain conditions including:

• Casual and permanent employees
• Full-time and part-time employees
• Some sub-contractors or self-employed workers (if most of your work is for one organisation or you are treated by an organisation in a similar way to an employee)

What types of workplace injuries can I claim compensation for?

Work injuries can be both physical and stress-related such as depression and anxiety.

Some of the physical injuries you can claim workers’ compensation for include:

• Amputations
• Fractures
• Brain injuries
• Burning
• Scarring
• Strains or sprains
• Eye injuries
• Internal injuries
• Chemical exposure
• Electrocution
• Neck or back injuries.

Speaking to a work accident lawyer on the Gold Coast can help ensure you are claiming exactly what you are entitled to. Depending on whether your employer is at fault, you may be entitled to make a common law claim as well as submitting a Statutory Benefits Claim which are both explained in more detail below.

What expenses are covered by workers’ compensation?

If you do have a successful claim, workers’ compensation can cover all reasonable expenses that include:

• Medical treatment and expenses (including rehabilitation, doctors, and medical items such as dressings or medicine).
• Equipment required due to injury (such as crutches or wheelchairs).
• Services that help you return to work.
• Wages whilst you are unfit to work due to your injury.

Understanding work accident compensation

Do I have a Statutory Benefits Claim?

Anybody injured at work can apply for workers’ compensation regardless of whom or what caused the injury. Some people don’t realise that you can make a claim irrespective of whether there is fault on the part of your employer. You can make a claim for loss of wages, medical and rehabilitation expenses and a lump sum compensation for permanent impairment. Your application for workers’ compensation must be made within 6 months from the date of the injury.

Do I have a Common Law Claim?

If your injury was caused by the negligence of your employer than you may have a common law claim as well as a statutory benefits claim. Most injured workers have a common law claim because almost all workplace injuries are preventable. Generally you will proceed with a common law claim after you stop receiving your statutory benefits.

Once your injuries are stable and stationary, you will then receive a Notice of Assessment providing you with a degree of your work-related permanent impairment and a lump sum offer. The compensation payable in a common law claim is often many times higher than lump sum payments of compensation offered under the statutory benefits scheme, so it is in your best interests to make common law claim. A common law claim must be commenced within 3 years of the date of your injury.

Should I accept the lump sum payment or submit a Common Law Claim?

In most cases you cannot accept an offer of lump sum compensation and make a common law claim. If you are made an offer of lump sum compensation you should contact us immediately before making any decision about the offer. Accepting the lump sum offer may result in you losing all of your rights to make a Common law claim and to a larger payment of compensation.

Injured workers often get anxious about proceeding with a common law claim, as they worry it could have a negative effect on their employment, but please keep in mind that employers have insurance for these situations.

How do I claim?

The claim is started by sending a Notice of Claim for Damages to WorkCover. WorkCover then has 6 months to investigate the workers’ compensation claim before making a decision about liability. The next step is to attend a settlement conference where the claim is usually settled. It is highly unlikely that your case will end up in court.

How long do I have to make a workers’ compensation claim?

From the time the workplace injury takes place or from the time the worker becomes aware of the injury or illness, the worker has 6 months to make the workers’ compensation claim. Special exceptions can be made to extend this time limit, however it is recommended that you contact a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you may have a claim.

Employers must report any work-related injuries to WorkCover Queensland within eight days of becoming aware of the incident, which is not the same as making a claim.

Do I need a workers’ compensation lawyer for a claim?

It can often be difficult to understand all the details of your claim and what you may be entitled to after a workplace injury. Coupled with the emotional, physical, and financial pressures that a workplace injury can bring, this time can be quite stressful without the help of a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer.

Legally, you can handle workers’ compensation claims without having a compensation lawyer, however this can lead to insurance companies using excessive legal procedures in an attempt to dismiss your claim, putting you at a potential disadvantage.

Our workers’ compensation lawyers, conveniently located on the Gold Coast, are well experienced with helping Queenslanders with their workers’ compensations claims and can assist with the complete claims process from start to finish.

When should I contact a workers’ compensation lawyer?

At GC Law, we recommend that you contact a workers’ compensation lawyer before you lodge your claim or as soon as you intend to seek compensation. A qualified compensation lawyer will be able to unpack all the circumstances of your case and help put you in the best position for a successful workers’ compensation claim.

At GC Law, we are no win no fee workers’ compensation lawyers who are always upfront and honest about fees. To start your claim, either contact us direct on 1300 302 318 or visit our Free Case Review page and we will get back to you within 12 hours of receiving your request for help.