If you sustain an injury at work, WorkCover will be your first point of call for making a statutory compensation claim. WorkCover is an independent government owned statutory body. It is mandatory for all Queensland employers to hold a WorkCover accident insurance policy unless the employer holds a self-insurance license.
How will WorkCover assist you?
While WorkCover is a very important and very helpful organisation for all Queensland employees (and employers) to be familiar with, many people fail to reap its benefits because they aren’t adequately informed about what WorkCover’s primary purpose is and the broad parameters by which the organisation can assist an injured worker.
For example, many people think that they cannot file a WorkCover claim for a workplace injury where they have a pre-existing condition with the same symptoms. This is not the case. You are eligible to make a claim where you have a pre-existing condition, such as arthritis, that is worsened or exasperated due to a workplace incident or duties carried out by you.
Financial support provided by WorkCover
Another common misconception is that WorkCover is not be able to provide you with any real financial or other support when in fact, because their primary focus is getting you back into the workplace as soon as possible, they can compensate you for lost income while off work, they can pay for your medical expenses and get you in to see specialists who will help you to recover and get back to work sooner. Not only is WorkCover focused on ensuring you are financially sound, but they also seek to ensure you obtain the right treatment and are only undertaking tasks in the workplace that will not make your situation worse. In this way, WorkCover provide very well rounded assistance when a person is faced with a workplace injury that is impacting their ability to work.
If you have suffered a workplace injury, it is important that you don’t hesitate in determining whether you are eligible to make a claim. Strict time limits apply and if you fail to lodge your claim within those time limits you may waive your right to some much needed assistance.
If you would like to discuss your eligibility for a workplace injury claim, contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers on (07) 3252 0011 or through our general enquiries page.
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