Who can make a claim for workers' compensation?
You may be able to claim workers' compensation if you've been in an accident either in the workplace or as part of your work and suffered a related injury or illness. You may also be able to make a work injury claim if you have a pre-existing injury or illness that worsened at work.
Am I eligible to make a work injury claim?
Workers able to make a workers' compensation claim include:
- full time workers
- part-time workers
- casual employees
- sub-contractors/sole traders
You may be eligible to make a work injury claim if any of these apply:
- A pre-existing injury has become worse
- The injury has developed over a number of years
- The injury occurred while travelling between jobs or worksites
- The injury occurred while on a break at work or at a work event
- A psychological illness has been sustained
If you're still unsure whether you may be eligible to make a compensation claim, use our free claim check tool to find out.
What types of physical injuries can I claim compensation for?
Some examples of eligible work-related physical injuries:
- lifting injuries
- falls
- muscular injuries
- construction site accidents
- repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- slip and fall injuries
- injuries caused by malfunctioning machines
- industrial deafness
Find out more about psychological injuries and workplace diseases that you may be able to claim workers' compensation for.
What are the time limits for making a work injury claim?
Time limits for work injury claims vary under the different laws, depending on where you live. So it's important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
It’s also important that you report your work-related injury to both your employer and the workers’ compensation authority that covers you as soon as possible. It’s best to do this within 30 days of the incident or once you’ve become aware of your injury or illness. Our expert work injury lawyers can help you through this process.
What work injury compensation and benefits am I entitled to?
The work injury compensation and benefits you may receive depend on (the severity of) your injury, when it happened, the law you’re covered by and the state you live in.
How much you may receive will depend on your specific information. You may receive payments that are equal to a percentage of your weekly earnings and for all reasonable medical and associated expenses. You can claim a lump sum if the injury has caused permanent impairment.
More frequently asked questions about compensation
Workers' compensation covers all 'reasonable' expenses such as:
- medical, hospital and nursing
- personal, household and occupational
- doctors and chemists
- physiotherapy and chiropractic care
- rehabilitation
- ambulance services
Your workers' compensation authority may also approve payment for:
- attendant care
- modifications to a home or car
- home help
- transportation costs
Our workers' compensation lawyers can advise you on what you're able to claim and will ensure you get all the benefits you're entitled to. Get in touch.
In addition to workers' compensation, you might also be entitled to claim from your superannuation insurance policy:
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) benefits
You may be eligible for a TPD compensation claim if you’re unable to do your normal job or any other work related to your training and experience.
Income protection benefits
Income protection claims provide you financial support when an injury or illness is holding you back from earning income from your regular job.
Death benefits
Death benefits are paid to a surviving partner, children or dependants, or to the deceased’s estate.
If your injuries are (fully or partly) the fault of your employer or any other person, you may also be able to claim additional compensation under common law. Whether you're entitled to this claim depends on the state in which your work injury occurred. Time limits and complicated rules apply.
Common law claims usually include financial support being claimed for:
- pain and suffering
- past and future loss of earnings or loss of earning capacity
- past and future loss of superannuation contributions.
Preparing your work injury claim
Before you make a work injury claim, there are a couple of things you need to prepare to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Key things to prepare:
- Make sure you've reported your injury to your employer.
- Obtain a medical certificate. In most states this is called a WorkCover medical certificate, which you can obtain from your usual doctor.
- Lodge a worker's injury claim form. This is a standard form which you can obtain from your employer, from your workers' compensation insurer, or we can provide you with the form upon request.
Make sure to keep copies of both the claim form and the medical certificate before you give the originals to your employer or workers' compensation insurer.
Related pages
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Physical injury -
Psychological injury -
Comcare -
WorkCover
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Process for making a claim
Our work injury lawyers will assist you with your claim and make sure you know about your rights and entitlements.
We'll keep you informed throughout the whole process and provide you with legal advice that is easy to understand.
01
Find out if you have a claim
Use our free claim check tool and find out in minutes. Our experienced work injury lawyers will review your circumstances to provide you with the the best advice.
02
We’ll prepare your claim.
Our work injury lawyers will take care of the legal process on your behalf. You will be kept informed of all stages along the way, including what fees are payable.
03
Receive payment.
If your work injury claim is successful and damages are awarded, we'll process your payment as soon as we receive it.
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We have lawyers who specialise in a range of legal claims who travel to Australian Capital Territory. If you need a lawyer in Canberra or elsewhere in Australian Capital Territory, please call us on 1800 675 346.
We have lawyers who specialise in a range of legal claims who travel to Tasmania. If you need a lawyer in Hobart, Launceston or elsewhere in Tasmania, please call us on 1800 675 346.