Workcover lawyers in Victoria
If you work in Victoria and have been injured at work or diagnosed with a work-related injury or illness, Shine Lawyers’ WorkCover lawyers in Victoria can may be able to help with your claim.
Who can make a WorkCover claim in Victoria?
All Victorian employers must have workers’ compensation insurance for their workers. You’re eligible to make a WorkCover claim in Victoria if you’ve been:
Injured at work
Diagnosed with a work-related illness
You may also be eligible to access WorkCover compensation in Victoria if you were injured or become ill while engaged in work arrangements such as jury duty or work experience.
What injuries are covered by workers’ compensation in Victoria?
You’re eligible to make a WorkCover claim in Victoria if you have a work-related injury or illness.
These include:
Any diagnosed physical or mental injury caused by your employment
A disease contracted in the course of employment (whether at or away from the place of employment)
Recurrence, aggravation, acceleration, exacerbation or deterioration of any pre-existing injury or disease
Injuries sustained at work, resulting from work or during work activities.
Injuries sustained while on an “authorised recess” such as a lunch break.
Injuries sustained while at a work function.
Injuries sustained while attending off-site training or at a course.
Diseases or pre-existing conditions made worse by work.
Injuries suffered while travelling for work.
Injuries suffered while receiving medical treatment for a separate work injury.
What if you’re injured while travelling for work in Victoria?
If you’re injured while travelling for the purpose of your employment, you may be eligible to make a WorkCover claim in Victoria.
However, you’re not eligible to claim WorkCover compensation in Victoria if you’re injured while travelling to and from:
Your place of employment
Any school or training which you’re required to attend for your employment
Any place for the purpose of obtaining a medical certificate or for receiving medical treatment because of your work-related injury
If you’re injured while travelling to/from work, Shine Lawyers’ motor vehicle accident lawyers may be able to help with your TAC claim.
How long can you receive WorkCover compensation in Victoria?
Weekly payments for WorkCover compensation in Victoria depend on your work capacity and are paid at different rates over different timeframes:
First entitlement period (the first 13 weeks)
Second entitlement period (week 14 to week 130)
After 130 weeks
WorkCover payments after 130 weeks in Victoria are subject to two mandatory criteria:
Your Independent Impairment Assessment determines you have a permanent whole person impairment (WPI) of 21% or more, and
You have no current capacity for any work (and this is likely to continue indefinitely)
What can I claim for?
WorkCover compensation in Victoria depends on your injury or illness. You may be entitled to compensation for:
Lost income
Medical treatment and rehabilitation
Domestic assistance
Home or car modifications
Return to work services
Vocational assistance and retraining
Lump sum permanent impairment
How long will it take?
Strict time limits apply for making a WorkCover claim in Victoria, including:
Notify your employer within 30 days of becoming aware of your injury or illness
You have 6 years from the date of your injury to pursue a serious injury/common law claim
There’s no set time for the ongoing WorkCover claim process in Victoria. The time for each claim depends on:
Your injury or illness circumstances
The seriousness or your injury or illness
The treatment you need for your injury or illness
As your WorkCover lawyers in Victoria, we’ll move as quickly as possible to get your claim finalised, while you focus on recovery.
Fees
We’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to justice and compensation. That’s why our WorkCover lawyers in Victoria work on a No Win No Fee* basis.
In your obligation-free appointment, we’ll help you to understand your rights, the compensation you may be entitled to and what No Win No Fee* means.
Injury types covered by workers’ compensation in Victoria
Injury types covered by workers’ compensation in Victoria
You can make a WorkCover claim for any injury or illness you have suffered as a result of work. Here are just a few examples of the types of workplace injuries you can claim for:
Amputations
Back injuries, including spinal injuries and slipped or bulging disc injuries
Chemical exposure
Death and dependency claims
Fractures
Lacerations
Orthopaedic injuries such as injury to the hips, knees, elbows and shoulders
Psychological injury and stress claims
Repetitive strain injuries
Additional claim types
Our team of WorkCover lawyers will help you understand all the options available to you in more detail. Depending on the circumstances of your issue, 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
Process for a WorkCover claim in Victoria
Learn more here about making a WorkCover claim in Victoria and why you need an expert workers’ compensation lawyer to help with your claim.
Document and report your injury or illness to your employer
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
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
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
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
Resolve your case
If your claim is successful, you will receive the compensation you are entitled to, 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.
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 the North Lakes team to anyone in need of legal assistance." - Shara
WorkCover FAQs
WorkCover payments after 130 weeks in Victoria, how can a lawyer help?
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?
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:
What is WorkSafe?
What is WorkSafe?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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:
You’ll find all our Australian locations here.
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.
