If you’ve suffered a work-related injury or illness, everything can change in an instant. Our expert workers compensation lawyers can help you to understand your rights and access your full entitlements to get your life back on track.
Am I eligible for Workers Compensation?
All employers in NSW are required to have compulsory workers compensation insurance for employees in their workplace.
You are covered by workers compensation if you are a:
- Casual or permanent employee
- Full time or part-time employee
- Self-employed worker
- Person deemed to be a worker
There are many types of injuries covered by the workers compensation scheme in NSW, including injuries or illnesses suffered at work, as a result of work, or during work activities. Depending on the circumstances of your injury or illness, and how it occurred, there are different types of claims you may be eligible to make.
If you believe you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, one of our workers compensation lawyers will be able to help you to understand your rights and advise what you are eligible to claim.
What can I claim under Workers Compensation?
Following an injury or accident at work, it can be hard to know just how much your injuries will impact your life. It can feel like your whole world has come to a screeching halt. If you are injured at work or because of work, compensation can come in the form of weekly payments, medical expenses and a lump sum payment through the workers compensation scheme. This can all be claimed regardless of who was at fault.
You may be able to claim for:
- Loss of wages/earnings
- Hospital and medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Permanent impairment compensation
- Travelling expenses
- Return to work services
- Common law damages
- Benefits associated with the death of a worker
Several factors impact the amount of compensation you or your loved one may be entitled to. These factors largely focus on the gap between your predicted life path and your new life path, including the expenses you have incurred as a result of your injury.
The amount of compensation you can receive may depend on:
- Your working conditions, including supervision and the level of training you received;
- The seriousness and complexity of your injury;
- Your own injury management, including rehabilitation prospects and potential aggravation; and
- Your employer’s liability – whether your injury was a result of their negligence.
Once we meet with you and understand the details of your circumstances, we can give you a better idea of what to expect as your claim progresses.
Do I need a need a lawyer to make a Workers Compensation claim?
You can legally represent yourself when making a compensation claim, however to do so successfully requires a thorough understanding of the law, your legal rights and entitlements, and a commitment to actively pursue the case to move it forward.
Many people making a workers compensation legal claim choose not to act for themselves and instead seek the assistance of an expert compensation lawyer. A workers compensation lawyer will be able to look at the full details of your circumstances and the incident and help you to claim the full compensation you are entitled to under the NSW workers compensation scheme.
Our team of workers compensation experts may be able to help you if:
- you need help submitting a workers compensation claim;
- you submitted a workers compensation claim, but it has been rejected by your employer’s insurer;
- you have taken the insurer to conciliation through the Workers Compensation Commission and don’t know what to do next;
- your employer is refusing to cooperate with your claim, or pressuring you to return to work;
- your employer's insurer is refusing to pay for treatment or hasn’t approved your request for surgery;
- your entitlement payments are incorrect or have been cut off; and/or
- you’ve suffered a workplace injury and need advice on the next steps.
Shine Lawyers can help
If you have suffered a workplace injury or illness, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Shine Lawyers today for an obligation-free discussion about your potential claim. Our team of expert workers compensation lawyers can help you to understand your rights and access the compensation you’re entitled to, and you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket legal expenses.
Depending on the type of claim you’re eligible to make, it will either be funded by the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office (WIRO), or run under our No Win, No Fee guarantee. We’ll explain more about this during your initial obligation-free consultation.
For more information about how Shine Lawyers will handle your case, watch our simple step-by-step guide to compensation claims below. Or if you want to find out more about workers compensation claims, see our Common Questions section.
Superannuation and Disability Insurance
If you are unable to work due to illness or injury you may also be entitled to benefits through your superannuation or other insurance policies. Speak to one of our Superannuation and Insurance Claims experts for a quick, obligation-free analysis of your situation to determine your rights and ability to make a claim. Learn more about Superannuation and Disability Insurance Claims