Workers Compensation Payout Case Studies

Our client in NSW was at work when they rolled an ankle walking backwards and dropped a heavy plate directly onto their knee, causing severe pain and immediate deformation. After being rushed to hospital they were found to have a displaced transverse fracture of the patella. With multiple therapies and surgeries required, and on-going complications caused by metal inserted during their initial surgery, LHD Lawyers negotiated a Worker's Compensation payout amount of $400,000.00 in 2014.

Our client sustained lower back injuries when they were required to bend over in a tight and confined space in order to decommission a chilled water plant room at work. They underwent surgery and injections however continued to suffer ongoing lower back pain and a restricted range of movement. They were unable to return to work as a refrigeration mechanic, however were eventually able to return to predominantly office work. LHD Lawyers negotiated a $165,000.00 settlement for our client, after the claim was ultimately rejected by the Defendant then fought and won at court.

Our client sustained psychiatric injuries in their work as a teacher as a result of isolating, intimidating, aggressive and bullying conduct by the leadership team, resulting in them no longer being able to continue working. Our client became anxious, socially withdrawn and lost their self-esteem, as they took great pride in their work as a teacher spanning many decades. LHD Lawyers negotiated a $150,000.00 settlement for our client within 10 months of instructing our firm.

Our client sustained left shoulder injuries at work when loading cattle onto a truck when a cow charged at them, knocked them over and trampled over them. Our client underwent multiple surgeries and injections however was ultimately required cease work as a truck driver, work they did over many decades, due to ongoing pain and restriction. LHD Lawyers negotiated a $100,000.00 settlement for our client within 6 months of lodging the application.

Our client sustained right shoulder injuries in their work as a mobile flash butt operator as a result of performing heavy and repetitive duties. They were required to use a crowbar to manually align two pieces of railway track weighing over a tonne, as their employer failed to provide an excavator. They underwent multiple injections and surgeries, however continued to suffer ongoing pain and restriction and were unable to return to work. Our client also suffered psychiatric injuries which resulted in the breakdown of their marriage. Despite the application being initially rejected, LHD Lawyers fought the rejection and were able to negotiate $365,000 in damages plus retention of $177,785 in weekly payments for our client within 10 months of lodging the application.

Our client, who was represented by their mother, suffered from various intellectual and physical disabilities. Their father died at work as a timber feller when a tree fell and struck them on the head. LHD Lawyers lodged a dependency claim on behalf of our client and was able to obtain the sum of $115,000.00 in settlement of the claim.

Our client sustained various injuries to their neck, shoulders, arms and back from multiple incidents over periods of employment that spanned over both self-insurance by the employer and insurance by WorkSafe Victoria. LHD Lawyers obtained a settlement for all injuries over each period of employment in the sum of $235,000.00.

Our client sustained injuries to their right shoulder and arm when they slipped and fell whilst cleaning at the end of their restaurant shift. They returned to work on restricted hours and duties however required surgery to their shoulder and suffered ongoing difficulties with the activity of daily living. LHD Lawyers were able to negotiate a settlement of $125,000.00 in damages within 6 months of lodging the application.

Our client suffered right shoulder and back injuries in their work as a constant patient observer at a hospital when a high fall risk patient with dementia being assisted by our client to go to the bathroom pushed our client back onto a metal bar, then fell and yanked our client to the floor with him. They returned to work however required physiotherapy and counselling to manage the ongoing pain and limitations. Despite the application being initially rejected, LHD Lawyers fought the application at court and were able to negotiate $80,000.00 in damages within a year of lodging the application.

Our client sustained psychiatric injuries including PTSD after they were assaulted by patrons in their work as a gaming attendant at a pub The injuries had a significant impact on their social, recreation and domestic activities and left them completely incapacitated for work. LHD Lawyers were able to negotiate $120,000.00 in damages within 6 months of lodging the application.

Our client in WA experienced life altering chemical burns to their face, eyes and nose when a poorly maintained hose containing a caustic liquid burst in their face in 2017. These injuries occurred on a job site, with the hose bursting so violently the liquid was forced under our client's protective glasses and face shield. LHD Lawyers negotiated a Worker's Compensation settlement of $1,006,962 for our client's serious pain and suffering.

Our client, a heavy machinery operator, sustained an injury when the loader they were driving collided with a wall. They came to LHD Lawyers after having received an offer from the insurer of approximately $50,000.00. Our lawyers identified an error in the insurance doctor's assessment and sent client to an independent doctor for a further assessment. The error was confirmed by the independent doctor resulting in the settlement offer being increased to $85,000.00 in addition to the entitlements already received by our client to date.

Our client's partner was killed in an accident at work. They had three young children for whom our client cared for full-time. They initially did not realise that they had a claim for damages and approached LHD Lawyers simply to see of they could recover funeral expenses. Through a combination of claims through WorkCover and the District Court, our client was not only able to secure a lump sum payment of over $1,500,000.00, they were also able to receive interim income entitlements while proceedings were litigated and finalised, ensuring that the immediate welfare as well as the future of the children were safeguarded. Funeral expenses were also fully recovered.

Our client, a loader operator working for a large mining company, endured years of bullying and harassment at work that ultimately led them to file a claim for workers compensation. Their claim was disputed by their employer and despite approaching a number of law firms, it was only once client approached LHD Lawyers that they managed to secure legal representation that was willing to take on the mining company and their toxic work environment. Ultimately our client managed to settle their claim for $90,000.00, allowing them to take some time off to recover before re-entering the workforce.

Our client, a kitchen hand and native Mandarin speaker, fell at work and injured himself. Client's employer understated his income, resulting in the insurer significantly underpaying them their weekly payment entitlements. LHD Lawyers were able to provide client legal advice and representation in their native Mandarin, rectify the rate of pay with the insurer and secure client a settlement of $75,000.00

Our client was witness to a traumatic incident resulting in a death of a resident while working in an aged care facility. They were diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. They underwent regular intensive in-patient psychiatric hospital treatments. They were unable to make a return to work due to the nature and severity of the psychological injuries sustained. LHD Lawyers negotiated a Workers Compensation payout amount of $320,000.00.

Our client was working as part of a construction crew laying water mains while working for the council. The starter cord of the machinery they were using was frayed and did not retract immediately. After starting the machine, the cord wrapped around our client's thumb and retracted causing an amputation injury. Our client's thumb was successfully reattached, and they returned to work. LHD Lawyers negotiated a Workers Compensation payout of $86,000.00 for lost wages into the future.

Our client sustained to their left and right wrist due to the nature and conditions of their employment working as a cleaner. They were diagnosed as having bilateral carpal tunnel injury. They underwent decompression surgery to the left and right wrist in 2018, however were unable to return to working as a cleaner. LHD Lawyers negotiated a Workers Compensation settlement of $225,000.00.

Our client was employed as a mill hand working in a timber processing plant. They sustained an injury when a large log fell landing on their right knee. They underwent multiple surgeries including a total knee replacement. The client was unable to make a return to work due to the injury sustained. LHD Lawyers were able to negotiate a Workers Compensation payout of $475,000.00 for lost wages.

Our client's spouse was subject to bullying and harassment by their work colleagues which tragically resulted in them taking their own life. LHD was able to successfully lodge a Death Benefits Claim proving the employer was liable and had a duty of care to our client's spouse.

Our client was struck in the face by a grinder blade, sustaining severe injuries to their left eye. The incident resulted in permanent partial blindness, facial nerve damage, headaches, sleep disturbance and depression. LHD Lawyers secured the client a settlement of $800,000.00 for their pain and suffering and medical expenses.

Our client worked for a local shire. They had over the course of their employment notified their employer that a requirement to move heavy objects was unreasonable. The employer paid little attention to their concerns and did nothing to address the repetitive strain it was causing to our client’s back. Our client ultimately suffered a lower back injury. The injury resulted in a Whole Person Impairment great enough for our client to pursue a Common Law action against his employer in the District Court. LHD Lawyers recovered over $1,050,000.00 in workers compensation entitlements and damages for our client.

Our client, a truck driver, witnessed a horrific accident when the driver of a car tried to overtake him and ran off the road. The driver of the car sustained fatal injuries, and this traumatised our client. LHD Lawyers secured a workers' comp settlement and then also pursued a Motor Vehicle accident claim for the client.

Our client had a sudden onset of lower back symptoms while kneeling down at work. Their employer took the view that as their job is not physically demanding and there was no incident or action that led to the onset of the injury, it was not liable for the injury. By the time client approached LHD Lawyers for representation, their employer had already declined liability for the injuries and client had attempted to represent themselves at WorkCover. This proved too stressful for our client and approached LHD Lawyers for assistance. LHD Lawyers successfully argued that the injuries were work related and the employer eventually relented, settling the claim for $110,453.06.

While delivering goods for their employer, our client was rushed by dogs kept at a work yard. They sustained injuries to their coccyx when they were startled and fell backwards. LHD Lawyers secured compensation of $139,500 for the client.

Our client injured both shoulders performing heavy lifting at work. They attempted to negotiate the settlement of their claim directly with the insurer and this resulted in the insurer making a "final offer" of $90,000. Client was not happy with this and approached LHD Lawyers for advice. A few short months later LHD Lawyers secured a settlement of more than $40,000 above what the insurer had said to client was its maximum position.

Our client suffered psychological injuries resulting from their co-workers' inappropriate innuendos and sexual advances over an extended period of time. Liability was hotly disputed and the nature of the injures meant that client was not equipped with the confidence to fight their employer unassisted. LHD Lawyers secured a settlement of over $118,000, and client managed to make a good transition into a new workplace.

Our client was employed as a risk and compliance manager at the time of the accident. Our client sustained a psychological/psychiatric injury during the course of their employment as a result of bullying, harassment and mismanagement primarily by their supervisor. LHD conducted thorough enquiries and obtained independent medical reports from specialist doctors together with a report from an expert on liability. Thereafter, the parties participated in settlement negotiations in this matter and LHD Lawyers was able to reach a successful outcome for our client.

Our client was employed as a machine operator. They sustained an injury to their neck and shoulder whilst they were removing a steel tube from a machine. The injury was originally reported as only an injury to their shoulder, when referred for scans an investigation; it was revealed they had suffered a neck injury, and hence the employer issued a Section 88A. LHD Lawyers settled the matter & our client received $300,000.00

Our client was employed as a cellar and bar worker with the same employer for over a period of five years. During that time, they were required to engage in repetitive and consistent heavy lifting, bending and overhead tasks, resulting in serious injury to their neck requiring surgery. They were unable to return to work after surgery was performed but were not aware of their entitlement to make a workers compensation claim for the injury as it occurred over a period of time as opposed to a singular incident resulting in an acute injury. A claim was lodged with the Workers Compensation Insurer over 2 years after the onset of symptoms. The claim was disputed. LHD commenced proceedings in the Personal Injury Commission and successfully challenged the dispute which resulted in our client receiving lump sum compensation and past weekly wages compensation.

Our client was closely inspecting a faulty tyre as required by their employer. The tyre exploded after a co-worker overinflated the tyre with compressed air whilst our client’s ear was placed directly adjacent to the tyre. They suffered significant severe injuries to their ears resulting in permanent loss of hearing and tinnitus in addition to post-traumatic stress disorder and a major depressive disorder. The claim proceeded to mediation at which stage LHD secured the client a settlement of $630,000.00 for their past and future loss of earnings.

Our client was subjected to severe bullying and harassment and was diagnosed with a chronic psychiatric injury. LHD Lawyers acted for our client in securing their workers compensation entitlements including lump sum compensation in the amount of $40,000 and a settlement for work injury damages to $400,000.

Our client was subjected to significant bullying, harassment, intimidation by their manager which caused them to develop a chronic psychiatric injury. LHD Lawyers secured a worker's compensation lump sum claim to the amount of $52,000.00 and also a settlement for their claim for work injury damages to the amount of $325,000.00.

The worker, who is a concreter by trade, sustained minor skin cancers which affected their body and vison due to exposure to the sun over many years. The worker lodged a recurrence of injury form which was disputed by the insurer. LHD Lawyers succeeded in having the insurer's decision reviewed and overturned, as well assisting the worker received $37,000 in lump sum compensation and having the worker being classified as worker of high needs, ensured their medical expenses are covered into the future.

The worker was a Correctional Officer who was subject to repeated incidences of bullying, harassment, intimidation, mobbing behaviour and threats in the course of their employment. LHD Lawyers represented the worker and succeed at first having the worker's weekly compensation reinstated and securing a lump sum payment in the amount of $51,000.00, then proceeded to resolve the worker's claim for work injury damages by way of settlement to the amount $490,000.00.

Our client, who was a carpenter by trade, sustained severe laceration and injuries to both their hands and fingers and required multiple surgeries. LHD Lawyers identified a severe complication arising out of the injury and proceeded to have the worker examined and was subsequently diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. LHD Lawyers assisted the worker in securing a settlement for lump sum compensation to the amount of $173,000.00 and ensuring they were entitled to ongoing weekly compensation and medical expenses to retirement age due to the severity of the injuries.