Document and report your injury or illness to your employer
It’s important to immediately inform your employer about your work-related injury and keep any relevant information and documentation relevant to this conversation. Retain any photographs, witness details, text messages, job sheets and work rosters. Complete an injury register or incident report if available to you.
Strict time limits apply with respect to WorkCover claims, so it’s important you don’t wait to make an appointment.
Seek medical help and advice
Make a doctor's appointment – preferably with your personal doctor – and explain what has happened. It’s important the doctor documents everything thoroughly and accurately and you ask them for a WorkCover ‘Certificate of capacity.’
From there, get in touch with our client care team who will put you in touch with one of our legal experts.
Lodge a WorkCover claim form
You will need to complete and submit a WorkCover claim form and provide it directly to your employer. You can access the form here.
Your employer must provide your claim form to their insurance company within 10 days.
The insurance company will then have a further 28 days to accept or reject your claim.
We’ll investigate your lump sum entitlements
Once we have gathered all the evidence and documentation required, we will assist you in submitting a claim for lump sum entitlements.
We are committed to ensuring the process is simple, streamlined and as stress-free as possible so you can focus on what matters most – your recovery.
Resolve your case
If your claim is successful, you will receive the compensation you are entitled to, so you can focus on your future.
WorkCover payments after 130 weeks in Victoria, how can a lawyer help?
Your weekly workers’ compensation payments may be terminated after 130 weeks unless you satisfy the two criteria to receive ongoing payments:
Your Independent Impairment Assessment determines you have a permanent whole person impairment of 21% or more, and
You have no current capacity for any work (and this is likely to continue indefinitely)
What is whole person impairment?
Whole person impairment is a measure of the permanent impairment caused by your work-related injury or illness, expressed as a percentage. A stable injury is assessed by a specialist medical practitioner according to legal guidelines. Examples of physical or psychological injuries that may have sufficient permanent impact to be assessed as whole person impairment may include:
WorkSafe Victoria has two functions, as the workplace:
Health and safety regulator
Injury insurer
Can I represent myself, or do I need a WorkCover lawyer?
It is possible to legally represent yourself when making a WorkCover claim in Victoria however, doing so successfully will likely require:
A thorough understanding of workers’ compensation law in Victoria
Your legal rights and entitlements
A commitment to actively pursue your case to move it forward to secure your best possible compensation outcome
Without an experienced Victorian WorkCover lawyer in your corner:
It can be difficult to identify and highlight the strengths of your case
It can be difficult to achieve maximum compensation for your injury.
You may not receive the workers’ compensation in Victoria you're entitled to.
What aspects of the law can Shine’s Victorian WorkCover lawyers help me with?
Our team of workers compensation experts may be able to help you to:
Provide advice and answer questions about the WorkCover scheme in Victoria
Provide advice and answer questions about your rights and entitlements in the WorkCover scheme
Assist with information as to the process of a WorkCover claim including completing a claim form and obtaining a certificate of capacity
Contest a WorkCover claim in Victoria that has been rejected by your employer’s insurer
Understand your next steps after taking WorkSafe to conciliation through the Workplace Injury Commission
Navigate your next steps if your employer refuses to cooperate with your WorkCover claim in Victoria or pressures you to return to work
Access workers’ compensation in Victoria if your employer's insurer refuses to pay for treatment or hasn’t approved your request for surgery
Gain access to weekly payments of compensation if you can’t work
Understand your next steps by providing advice specific to your situation
Lodge a lump sum claim for your loss of earnings and pain and suffering
Why trust Shine to be my WorkCover lawyers?
We have helped thousands of Australians right wrong and access more than $1 billion per year in entitlements and compensation through our expert services.
95% of the cases we represent are settled without the stress of going to court.
We offer access to affordable legal advice including on a No Win, No Fee* basis and an obligation free initial consultation so you can understand your rights and know where you stand.
*Conditions apply
Where are the Victorian Shine WorkCover lawyers located?
Location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers’ legal advice and support for your WorkCover claim in Victoria. We have branches in:
If you can't find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment. No matter where you’re located, we’ll always provide the same, expert advice and manage your WorkCover claim in Victoria with the same level of quality and commitment.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
"I recently used Shine Lawyers for a work injury claim and they were fantastic. They were always reassuring and professional, making the whole process much less daunting. Their quick responses to calls and emails were much appreciated. I would gladly use Shine again and recommend them to others." - Kris
CLIENT FEEDBACK
"I had the pleasure of working with the team at Shine Lawyers for my work injury case. They were amazing throughout the entire process, always checking in to make sure I was doing okay. I’m extremely grateful for all the help I received and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal assistance." - Shara
Let's talk
Provide your details and one of our friendly Client Care team members will be in touch to listen and understand your situation.
Shine Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, waterways and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.