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Legal Costs In Workers Compensation claims explained

Legal support is available for injured workers who need help to make a claim or resolve a dispute about entitlements with their insurer.

The following is guide to explain legal costs and what you could expect to recover from a defendant when making a claim.

  • There are no legal costs payable by you in Workers compensation claims.
  • The legal costs are payable by the WorkCover Independent Review Officer (WIRO).
  • WIRO is a body set up by the NSW government to fund payment of workers compensation claims much like Legal Aid.
  • When your matter is ready to proceed we will apply on your behalf to WIRO to approve funding for payment of our legal costs and disbursements (such as the cost of obtaining a medical report).
  • WIRO will review the Application and approve funding.
  • We will tell you if funding has been approved and proceed with your claim.
  • If funding is not approved we will also let you know.
  • If funding is approved at no time will you be responsible for our legal costs and disbursements.
  • Should your claim be unsuccessful the Workers Compensation Commission can make an order for you to pay the insurers legal costs. This is very rare and usually only if there was no proper justification for making the claim or if the claim was fraudulent.
  • We are required by the Legal Profession Act of NSW to enter into with all clients a costs agreement which we will provide to you to sign before we can commence your claim. The agreement is straight forward and confirms no legal costs are payable by you.

Should you have any questions in relation to legal costs, please do not hesitate to contact us as follows;

  1. Complete our FREE case assessment form HERE
  2. Email us at info@garlingandco.com.au
  3. Give us a call on (02) 8518 1120 and talk to our specialised lawyers

Insurance companies and their employees won’t tell you everything you need to know to get all the compensation you’re entitled to. You need to fight back by arming yourself with all the knowledge you can. Read this 6-point guide which will help you understand your rights and entitlements under Workers’ Compensation legislation when making a successful claim for work injury compensation or damages.

Garling & Co Lawyers

Matthew Garling

Matthew Garling is an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law approved by New South Wales Law Society. He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia. Matthew is also a member of...
Chris H.
02:52 31 Jul 26
I engaged Garling & Co to guide me through a personal injury claim and could not have asked for better representation. Matthew was in a different class to the other lawyers I had spoken to, and that... was clear from our very first phone call. At that time, I was not even sure a claim would go ahead. It was just a call for advice and Matthew was generous with his time which created immediate trust.My options were always explained clearly and the decision was always left with me with no pressure to follow a particular course of action. Allison and the rest of Matthew's team are equally excellent and were on hand throughout, taking me through the process and passing on information at the right time.No hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for the best advice in NSW.read more
Mik B.
01:18 31 Jul 26
Matthew and the team at Garling & Co have provided seamless care throughout my case. Keeping me updated and providing the best advice on my workers compensation matter. I felt will looked after and a... have high level of trust in my legal matters.read more
Donna M.
21:09 30 Jul 26
Kerry and her team are professional showing real empathy and kindness.Going through a severe psychological work injury is a deeply lonely, exhausting, and anxiety-ridden road. But from the moment... Kerry and her team stepped in, everything changed. They showed me the kind of genuine empathy, warmth, and human kindness that you just don't expect to find in the legal world. They truly, deeply understand the complexities of psychological injury law, but more importantly, they understand the human being behind the case. No matter how scrambled or anxious my mind was feeling, they always found the time to answer my frantic check-ins and left me feeling completely reassured and safe.What I respect most about them is their absolute integrity.Kerry has a brilliant legal mind specialising in personal injury,and only ever sticks strictly to the real facts and let the honest, medical truth do the talking.Thank you Kerry and Myriel.❣️read more
Jd A.
21:05 30 Jul 26
Like to thank Matthew and the team for their work and dedication ,special thanks to Matthew for being vigilant in helping me navigate the insurance battle.My advice to anyone is trust Matthew and... yourself, say vigilant.Thank youGarling and coDaveread more
Marshall B.
01:57 09 Jul 26
Mathew and his team were a pleasure. Very sympathetic to my situation and very easy to work with. Explained the process so well and always kept in contact and looked out for my best interest. I... wouldn't hesitate to recommend Garling & Co to anyone.read more
james C.
00:48 08 Jul 26
Can not thank the team here at Garling & Co enough. From all the extra help, to the end outcome was amazing. Mathew is very knowledgeable with the law and makes you feel very comfortable with... everything. Appreciate it all guys cheersread more
Anna C.
04:33 06 Jul 26
I can’t thank you enough for your support. Kerry and staff went above and beyond. Always kept me up to date.I recommend Garling and Co to anyone.Thank you Kerry and Staff
Ramez F.
07:51 19 May 26
I cannot highly recommend Garling & Co Lawyers enough for their incredible support during my recent case. From our first meeting, they provided clear, honest advice and guided me through a complex... legal process with absolute professionalism. Their dedication, attention to detail, and expertise in this matter was outstanding, ultimately securing an excellent outcome. If you need a reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive solicitor, look no further than GARLING & CO LAWYERS.read more
P X
23:43 17 Apr 26
Very kind and respectful.
Alina S.
03:51 26 Mar 26
I can’t thank Mr Garling and his team enough for the incredible support they provided throughout my case. From the very beginning, they showed genuine compassion, professionalism, and a strong... commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me - and the result they achieved in the end was far beyond my expectations!What stood out most was their clear and prompt communication, customer-focused approach and kindness. At every stage, they made sure I understood what was happening and what to expect. This made a very difficult and emotionally challenging process a lot more manageable. Whenever I had questions or felt anxious they were responsive, patient, and reassuring.Thanks to Mr Garling, I felt empowered and confident navigating the complex, opaque and overwhelming workers compensation system. His dedication and expertise, along with the hard work of his entire team, helped me achieve an outstanding outcome.I cannot recommend Garling & Co highly enough, to anyone in need of personal injury legal assistance, and especially those dealing with a workplace injury / workcover. You’ll be in very capable and caring hands!read more
READ ALL TESTIMONIALS

Would you like assistance with your claim?

Complete our free, no obligation confidential case assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Alternatively, we are available to talk through phone and email. Please contact our experienced workers compensation lawyers to find out how we can help.

No Win No Fee

You won’t be required to pay any fees until we win your case.

Industry Experts

We’re industry experts with over 20 years of experience.

Maximum Compensation

Our team of expert injury lawyers will help you get maximum compensation.

Chris H.
02:52 31 Jul 26
I engaged Garling & Co to guide me through a personal injury claim and could not have asked for better representation. Matthew was in a different class to the other lawyers I had spoken to, and that... was clear from our very first phone call. At that time, I was not even sure a claim would go ahead. It was just a call for advice and Matthew was generous with his time which created immediate trust.My options were always explained clearly and the decision was always left with me with no pressure to follow a particular course of action. Allison and the rest of Matthew's team are equally excellent and were on hand throughout, taking me through the process and passing on information at the right time.No hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for the best advice in NSW.read more
Mik B.
01:18 31 Jul 26
Matthew and the team at Garling & Co have provided seamless care throughout my case. Keeping me updated and providing the best advice on my workers compensation matter. I felt will looked after and a... have high level of trust in my legal matters.read more
Donna M.
21:09 30 Jul 26
Kerry and her team are professional showing real empathy and kindness.Going through a severe psychological work injury is a deeply lonely, exhausting, and anxiety-ridden road. But from the moment... Kerry and her team stepped in, everything changed. They showed me the kind of genuine empathy, warmth, and human kindness that you just don't expect to find in the legal world. They truly, deeply understand the complexities of psychological injury law, but more importantly, they understand the human being behind the case. No matter how scrambled or anxious my mind was feeling, they always found the time to answer my frantic check-ins and left me feeling completely reassured and safe.What I respect most about them is their absolute integrity.Kerry has a brilliant legal mind specialising in personal injury,and only ever sticks strictly to the real facts and let the honest, medical truth do the talking.Thank you Kerry and Myriel.❣️read more
Jd A.
21:05 30 Jul 26
Like to thank Matthew and the team for their work and dedication ,special thanks to Matthew for being vigilant in helping me navigate the insurance battle.My advice to anyone is trust Matthew and... yourself, say vigilant.Thank youGarling and coDaveread more
Marshall B.
01:57 09 Jul 26
Mathew and his team were a pleasure. Very sympathetic to my situation and very easy to work with. Explained the process so well and always kept in contact and looked out for my best interest. I... wouldn't hesitate to recommend Garling & Co to anyone.read more
james C.
00:48 08 Jul 26
Can not thank the team here at Garling & Co enough. From all the extra help, to the end outcome was amazing. Mathew is very knowledgeable with the law and makes you feel very comfortable with... everything. Appreciate it all guys cheersread more
Anna C.
04:33 06 Jul 26
I can’t thank you enough for your support. Kerry and staff went above and beyond. Always kept me up to date.I recommend Garling and Co to anyone.Thank you Kerry and Staff
Ramez F.
07:51 19 May 26
I cannot highly recommend Garling & Co Lawyers enough for their incredible support during my recent case. From our first meeting, they provided clear, honest advice and guided me through a complex... legal process with absolute professionalism. Their dedication, attention to detail, and expertise in this matter was outstanding, ultimately securing an excellent outcome. If you need a reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive solicitor, look no further than GARLING & CO LAWYERS.read more
P X
23:43 17 Apr 26
Very kind and respectful.
Alina S.
03:51 26 Mar 26
I can’t thank Mr Garling and his team enough for the incredible support they provided throughout my case. From the very beginning, they showed genuine compassion, professionalism, and a strong... commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me - and the result they achieved in the end was far beyond my expectations!What stood out most was their clear and prompt communication, customer-focused approach and kindness. At every stage, they made sure I understood what was happening and what to expect. This made a very difficult and emotionally challenging process a lot more manageable. Whenever I had questions or felt anxious they were responsive, patient, and reassuring.Thanks to Mr Garling, I felt empowered and confident navigating the complex, opaque and overwhelming workers compensation system. His dedication and expertise, along with the hard work of his entire team, helped me achieve an outstanding outcome.I cannot recommend Garling & Co highly enough, to anyone in need of personal injury legal assistance, and especially those dealing with a workplace injury / workcover. You’ll be in very capable and caring hands!read more
University of Technology, Sydney
Member of Law Society of New South Wales
Law Society of NSW Specialist Accreditation
University of Sydney
Legal Profession Admission Board of New South Wales
The law society of nsw professional standards scheme logo.
University of Technology, Sydney
Member of Law Society of New South Wales
Law Society of NSW Specialist Accreditation
University of Sydney
Legal Profession Admission Board of New South Wales
The law society of nsw professional standards scheme logo.
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4.9