Workcover Claims Queensland

The basic criteria in order to be covered by workcover requires that;

• you must be a worker; and
• the injury must be a work-related injury. That is, the injury arose out of or in the course of your employment or your employment is a significant contributing factor to the development of the injury/condition

You are required to report the injury to your employer. Generally, this must be done in writing to your employer within 30 days of becoming aware of the injury. You will need to notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland or the Electrical Safety Office, as well as notify WorkCover Queensland or your workers’ compensation insurer.

Generally after an incident, injury or illness, you will see a doctor or multiple physicians who will be able to provide you with your certificate of capacity, which takes the place of a typical medical certificate.

The certificate of capacity is the main document in which your doctor will be able to communicate your condition to your support team within the workplace. You may also need other important information such as your workers’ compensation insurance certificate.

Your compensation claim should be lodged with workcover lawyers Cairns within three months of injury directly with the employer, but this is not a strict deadline as long as the claim is lodged as soon as possible once the injury is identified.

Work-related injuries can include a varying range of;

• physical injuries (such as ligament damage, or amputation)
• psychological disorders, or
• diseases (eg: cancers, circulatory problems)

It can also include aggravated or ongoing symptoms of any of these injuries or illness. According to Australian Workers’ Compensation Statistics 2017-2018,

“Body stressing caused 36% of all serious claims in 2017–18, while falls, trips and slips led to a further 23% of serious claims. Approximately one third of body stressing claims involved non-powered hand tools, appliances and equipment (32%), whereas environmental agencies (e.g. steps, uneven ground, traffic etc.) caused the majority (54%) of falls, trips and slips of a person…”

These injuries or illness can happen while you’re at work, travelling to or from your job, on a scheduled break, or as a direct result of doing your job.

There are many factors that will influence the amount of compensation you receive for your injury sustained from workplace accidents or illnesses, and is completely individual.

However, there are generally four different types of claim or benefits you may be eligible to receive;

• weekly payments,
• reasonable medical and like expenses,
• impairment benefit for permanent injury (also referred to as ‘lump sum compensation’), and
• sue for further compensation (referred to as a ‘common law claim’) – this can include compensation for ‘pain and suffering’ as well as loss of earnings

Call LHD Lawyers on 1800 838 481 to discuss our ‘No Win No Fee’ policy and arrange a free consultation with one of our expert workcover lawyers to discuss your position and the effects these workplace injuries have had.

If you’ve experienced a work-related injury or illness, you may be eligible to make a claim for workers’ compensation with WorkCover or their own insurer. The workcover lawyers Gold Coast at LHD Queensland will be able to help you navigate this process.

There are several ways you can do this:

• you are able to claim online
• phone a member of the WorkCover team
• complete a claim form, and either upload using the online service, fax it to 1300 651 387 or post your
• completed form to GPO Box 2459, Brisbane QLD 4001

If you go to the hospital with a work-related injury, the hospital will automatically send your work capacity certificate to WorkCover and they will contact you to see if you want to make a claim.

You are required to report the injury to your employer. Generally, this must be done in writing to your employer within 30 days of becoming aware of the injury. As an employer, a work-related injury or illness must be reported within 8 days of becoming aware of it.

The claim should be lodged as soon as possible once the injury is identified.

WorkCover aims to make a decision on claims in 20 business days or less, as outlined by legislation.

If you’re unhappy with the reasons your claim is taking longer than expected, you can ask for the Workers Compensation Regulator to review the reasons given. Call our workcover lawyers QLD on 1800 838 481 to discuss our ‘No Win No Fee’ policy and arrange a free consultation.