Workers’ compensation lawyers Canberra and Australian Capital Territory
We are ready to take action to get you access to compensation, protect your future and right wrong.
Who is eligible to make a workers’ compensation claim in the Australian Capital Territory?
All employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance for all employees in their workplace. You’re eligible to access workers’ compensation entitlements in the ACT if you’re injured or fall ill because of your work. A worker includes:
An employee
Sub-contractor
Labour hire worker
Commercial volunteer
What injuries are covered by workers’ compensation in the Australian Capital Territory?
If you work for a Canberra or ACT employer, you can make a workers’ compensation claim for:
Physical injury
Disease, if your employment substantially contributed to it
Mental injury, including stress
Aggravation, acceleration or recurrence of a pre-existing injury
Death of a loved one
In the ACT, a mental injury doesn’t include mental injury caused (or mostly caused) by an employer’s reasonable action regarding a worker’s:
Transfer
Demotion or promotion
Performance appraisal
Discipline
Retrenchment or dismissal
What can I claim for?
You can claim for an injury or illness if you’re: travelling to or from work, on a scheduled work break or as a direct result of carrying out your work activities. Compensation depends on your specific circumstances, but may include:
Medical and rehabilitation expenses
Loss of income
Travelling expenses
Compensation for total incapacitation
Return to work services
Pain and suffering
Paid assistance in some circumstances
Compensation to dependents for death of a loved one
How long will it take?
You must lodge your claim for workers’ compensation within 3 years of your injury or illness.
The length of time your claim can take depends on:
Your injury or injuries
The medical and/or rehabilitation treatment you will need
Your recovery
As your workers’ compensation lawyers in Canberra, we’ll work to get your claim finalised as quickly as possible, while you focus on your recovery.
Fees
We are committed to ensuring everyone has access to justice. That’s why we offer workers’ compensation services on a No Win, No Fee* basis. You won’t have to worry about out-of-pocket legal fees, unless we receive a successful outcome for you.
We’ll help you to fully understand your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to.
*Conditions apply.
The types of workplace injuries covered by workers’ compensation in Canberra and Australian Capital Territory
Examples of injuries you could claim workers’ compensation for in the Australian Capital Territory include:
Amputations
Back injuries, including spinal injuries and slipped or bulging disc injuries
Chemical exposure injuries
Death and dependency
Fractures
Lifting injuries, for nurses or other occupations
Lacerations
Occupational asthma or lung disease
Repetitive strain injuries
Toxic exposure, silica and dust diseases, including imminently fatal asbestos-related disease
Additional claim types
Our team of workers’ compensation lawyers in Brisbane and Queensland can help you understand all the claim options that may be available to you.
Depending on the circumstances of your workplace injury or illness, you may also be eligible for:
Check if you have a claim with our simple, free online tool.
What we will ask:
Details about the accident and injuries that have happened to you or your loved one
Basic personal information that is relevant and necessary for your claim
What happens next:
Either book a no obligation appointment with a compensation law expert right away or,
Speak with our team about your options
Australian Capital Territory workers’ compensation claim process
Document and report your injury or illness to your employer
It’s important to notify your employer as soon as possible about your work-related injury (unless it’s impractical for you to do so). Keep any relevant information and documentation relevant to this conversation.
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. If your injury means you’re incapacitated for 7 days or more, you must ask your doctor for a Certificate of Capacity.
Submit your claim to your employer
Complete and submit a workers’ compensation claim form to your employer along with your Certificate of Capacity. Your employer must provide you with a claim form, when you notify them of your injury.
We’ll build your case and keep you informed
As your workers’ compensation lawyers in Canberra and ACT, we’ll work with you to gather all the documentation and medical evidence required to support your claim. You focus on your recovery, and we’ll take care of the rest while always keeping you in the loop.
If your workers’ compensation claim is not accepted, we’ll help you gather the evidence and documentation needed to contest the insurer’s decision.
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
Remember that strict time limits apply. It’s always worth seeking an obligation-free initial consultation with the best lawyers for workers’ compensation in Canberra and ACT, so you can get legal advice specific to your situation.
If your claim is successful, you will receive the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your future.
No Win, No Fee*
We do our best up-front to make sure you understand your legal claim, including whether your claim is on our No Win, No Fee* basis.
*Conditions apply
Do you have a claim?
We’re here to make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Workers’ compensation Canberra and Australian Capital Territory FAQs
Who pays a workers’ compensation claim?
If you’ve been injured at work and your employer is found to be responsible, their insurance company will pay your compensation. If your employer doesn’t have a compulsory workers’ compensation insurance policy, your successful claim would be funded through the Default Insurance Fund.
If you make a claim against your employer, there are laws in place to ensure they don’t treat you differently during the process. If they do, they could be held liable for discrimination. Our Canberra compensation lawyers can help you make a claim while ensuring you are not treated unfairly for drawing a line between right and wrong.
Can I represent myself, or do I need a workers’ compensation lawyer in Canberra or the ACT?
It is possible to legally represent yourself when making a claim. However, doing so successfully will require a thorough understanding of the law, your legal rights and entitlements, and a commitment to actively pursuing the case to move it forward with WorkSafeACT (who will have their own legal team to defend them).
Without experienced workers’ compensation lawyers from Canberra in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strengths of your compensation claim.
Without the right legal advice and support, you then may not receive the compensation you're entitled to under the ACT’s workers’ compensation scheme.
Why trust Shine to be my workers’ compensation lawyers in Canberra or ACT?
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
What aspects of the law can Shine’s Canberra compensation lawyers help me with?
Our team of workers’ compensation lawyers in Canberra and ACT may be able to help you to:
Complete a workers’ compensation claim form
Contest a workers’ compensation claim that has been rejected by your employer’s insurer
Support you if your employer refuses to cooperate with your claim, won’t pay for treatment or approve your request for surgery or pressures you to return to work
Fix incorrect payments or help you gain access to payments that have been cut off
Provide advice if you have suffered a workplace injury and need help with the next steps
Where are the Shine workers’ compensation lawyers in Canberra located?
With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers legal advice and support.
If you’d like to speak to our workers’ compensation team in person, our Canberra office is conveniently located in Petrie Plaza and is wheelchair accessible. You can see our full list of other locations here.
