In this article, we cover all your entitlements, which are meant to help cover your medical costs and other related expenses.
If you or someone you know has been injured at work, there are several workers compensation claims available to help cover medical costs and other related expenses in the course of the injured worker's recovery. Below is a list of claimable entitlements:
- Weekly payments
- Medical, hospital and rehabilitation expenses
- Domestic assistance
- Property damage claims
- Lump sum compensation
- Work-related death compensation
- Work injury damages
- Work break and journey claims
- Hearing impairment claims
Weekly payments
Weekly payments provide financial support if your injury affects your ability to work and help replace lost income during the timeframe of your recovery. These payments are determined on the basis of your pre-injury earnings and your current capacity to work.
Once you successfully lodge a workers compensation claim and notify your employer and their insurer, provisional payments should begin within seven (7) days.
To continue receiving weekly payments, you'll need to provide medical certificates. The insurer will also regularly assess your work capacity to determine the amount of ongoing entitlement you should receive.
Weekly payments are available for a maximum period of 260 weeks (5 years).
Medical, hospital and rehabilitation expenses
You are eligible to claim coverage for medical treatments, including visits to doctors, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals. The coverage also extends to hospital care, ambulance services and rehabilitation services.
Additionally, you can claim travel expenses for medical appointments by keeping a record of the kilometres if you use a private motor vehicle or receipts for public transport.
Domestic assistance
You may be eligible to claim domestic assistance if your injury limits your ability to perform daily tasks like cleaning, laundry or lawn care.
To qualify for this, a medical practitioner must certify the need, and the assistance should be deemed necessary. The domestic assistance can be temporary (up to 6 hours per week for 3 months) or long-term if your injury results in significant permanent impairment (15% or more).
Property damage claims
As part of workers compensation, you may claim property damage for artificial aids (such as glasses or crutches) and clothing damaged in a work-related incident, even if you weren't injured as a result.
To be eligible for compensation for damaged clothing or artificial aids, you must provide clear evidence supporting your claim. This includes details such as how the incident occurred, the items that were damaged, and their value. By submitting this information, you may qualify for compensation of up to $2,000 for artificial aids and up to $600 for clothing, depending on the insurer's assessment of your claim.
Lump sum compensation
In case your work-related injury results in permanent impairment, you may be eligible for lump sum compensation in addition to your other workers compensation benefits.
To be eligible for this compensation, your impairment must be assessed by a medical specialist. If you are assessed to have at least 11% permanent physical impairment or 15% for a primary psychological injury, you can submit a claim to your insurer.
After reviewing the assessment and claim, the insurer will determine liability within the required timeframe.
Work-related death compensation
In case of a work-related death, your dependents may be eligible for compensation that includes a lump sum payment (up to $938,600), weekly payments for dependent children, and funeral expenses (up to $15,000).
The insurer will determine the liability of your claim based on relevant documentation like the death certificate and medical reports. Once liability is accepted, compensation is distributed according to how much the dependents relied on the worker ensuring financial support during a difficult time.
Work injury damages
If your injury is due to employer negligence, you may be entitled to claim work injury damages for lost past and future earnings.
To qualify for this claim, you need at least 15% permanent impairment and must prove negligence and must prove negligence. After your impairment is assessed and statutory lump sums are received, you may submit a claim.
If your liability is accepted, the insurer may offer a settlement. Further, if you disagree with the offer, mediation or legal action can follow. It is essential that you seek legal advice for a comprehensive analysis of your case.
Work break and journey claims
In case you encounter an injury during a work break (lunch or tea breaks) or while travelling for work purposes (travelling between job sites), you may be able to make a claim for workers compensation.
However, for journey-related injuries, you must establish a clear connection between the accident and your employment.
For more details, speak with your employer's insurer and use the appropriate claim form to lodge your claim.
Hearing impairment claims
If your work environment has caused you hearing loss, you may be eligible to claim for hearing aids and associated medical costs.
To be eligible for this claim, an ENT specialist must assess your hearing loss and confirm its connection to your employment, along with a hearing needs report and audiogram.
In case of a severe hearing loss, you might also be entitled to lump sum compensation. Ensure you provide all necessary documents, including the specialist's report, when submitting your claim to your employer's insurer.