When you have sustained a workplace injury, establishing employer negligence is only necessary when you file a WorkCover common law claim for damages.
As we discussed in one of our previous posts, filing a WorkCover statutory compensation claim under the “no-fault” scheme is always the first step in claiming compensation for a work related injury in Queensland. After the statutory compensation claim has been lodged and accepted by WorkCover (or the relevant self-insurer) and a Notice of Assessment issued, only then can you file a WorkCover common law claim.
The elements of employer negligence
Establishing employer negligence (or liability/fault) is critical to making a WorkCover common law claim for damages as you are not entitled to damages where your employer was not negligent. In order to successfully establish employer negligence, you must satisfy the following elements:
- That your employer owed you a duty of care;
- That your employer breached that duty of care; and
- That the injury you suffered was a result of the breach of duty.
Employer duty of care
An employer’s duty of care generally extends to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of their employees at a workplace (including contractors, sub-contractors, volunteers and labour hire personnel) is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business. This is set out (and elaborated on) in section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld). In addition to setting up safe working environments, the employer’s duty of care also includes properly instructing employees on safe practices in the workplace and how to use machinery and equipment properly.
Establishing that there was a breach of the duty of care is done by proving that the employer failed to do what a reasonable person would have done in the circumstances. Again, it comes back to this question of ‘reasonable foreseeability’ – employer negligence can usually be established where it should have been reasonably foreseeable by the employer that an injury could result from their conduct, whether that be an act or failure to act.
In some circumstances, it may be very clear that there has been a breach of duty of care, to ensure health and safety at a workplace such as, where employees are not given protective eyewear when welding or if a machine is not fitted with a proper guard and so on, however there are other less obvious situations where a court may also find an employer has breached their duty of care, for instance, where an employer has failed to supervise their employees to ensure safe work guidelines are being properly implemented.
Finally, the injury must be a result of the employers failure to meet the obligations of their duty of care. It is not enough to show there was an act or omission by an employer and that there was a workplace injury. The act or omission must have caused or materially contributed to the workplace injury. It is very important that evidence and symptoms also support your claim for damages.
Types of injuries sustained due to employer negligence
A workplace injury is not limited to simply physical symptoms on the employee, but may include psychiatric injury or the aggravation of a pre-existing injury or condition, such as the quickened onset of symptoms of degenerative osteoarthritis; in this situation however, only the work related component will be compensated for at common law.
Further, a court will also consider the extent to which your own actions contributed to the injury, and will deduct a percentage from your damages lump sum accordingly. This is referred to as ‘contributory negligence’.
As the grounds for employer negligence contain inherently legal questions, it is always best to seek the advice of a workplace personal injury lawyer before commencing your claim. If you would like to discuss employer negligence or anything related to workplace injury, contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our workplace personal injury lawyers on (07) 3252 0011 or through our general enquiries page.
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I am a delivery driver for FedEx-Prestige Wor. On or about 6/23/2021, after inspecting the vehicle assigned to me, I and another individual started the delivery route. After the 50th stop, and after completing a delivery. I got back in the truck, put, my set belt, I p
Stated the vehicle, put the truck in gear. As I am moving, the truck engine shut off, the breaks stop working and power steering stop functioning. We was on hill. After few seconds went by I put on the emergency break’s, this move did not work. The emergency breaks didn’t work. I was headed at a house at 60 MPH. However, a tree was 3 feet from the front of the house. I made the decision to hit the tree. Risking the life of myself and my co-worker to save the life of some family. Prior to this incident, 4 other delivery drivers reported to the company truck owners that that truck has grave safety complications, such as engine cutting off while truck is moving, the breaks fail, and the power steering stops working. 1 delivery driver refused to drive the truck because he had drove it before and knew the vehicle complications. My employers knew that particular vehicle was unsafe to take on delivery. Because, not only delivery drivers made them aware of the truck’s hazards, a manager drove the truck and was aware of the truck’s hazards. My employers owed me a duty of care, by not taking that truck out of operations my employers breached the duty of care. My sciatic nerve and mental health breakdown because of driving that truck and putting my life in danger and also my partner’s life in danger to save other lives that I did not know I have a mental psychological breakdown from that my injuries results from my employers breach of duty.
if a worker is used for ohly one day a week, the employer’s obligation would prollong for 10 weeks.
Day excursions to the West MacDonnell Ranges, Glen Helen Canyon, Standley Chasm, Simpsons Gap, Anzac Hillside & Desert Park.
Despite the period, be gotten ready for some paperwork and also some luck.
I suffered a sever brain injury while workong on the job. The companies Lawyer wrote that the University Community Hospital said that I had told them things when arriving into the Emergency room. I suffered from a congenial cavernous angioma. To me is hard to believe due to the Fact that I was sent to Tampa Bay Hospital. So because of her lies and Fraudulent report I was denied Workman’s Compensation and medical treatment for my neck injury that was not taken care of because I lost my memory and speech and could not tell anyone anything. Please help me so this does not happen to any one else. I told the Owner Something is wrong with me. He said go see the general manager. 2 1/2 months later accident report. I want to file charges agaist the Owner who was also my friend whodid nothing to help me.