Workplace Injury Claims

If you are injured in the workplace or if your psychological health has been affected, you may be eligible to claim workers compensation.

Any worker who sustains injuries at their workplace or as a result of their employment, which includes aggravating any pre-existing injury or illness, can claim compensation. Workers Compensation law in NSW is complicated, and you can obtain the assistance of a lawyer for free.
We have a team of specialist workers compensation lawyers who are familiar with these types of claims and are ready to assist you.

Garling & Co Lawyers are one of NSW’s leading work-related injury law firms and have experienced lawyers acting on behalf of those injured in the workplace. We have a 98% success rate and will assist you through the whole claims process.

In addition to the “no-fault” Worker Compensation scheme, there is an entitlement by an injured worker to obtain lump-sum compensation for “modified common law damages.”

To make such a claim, you need to demonstrate, on the balance of probabilities, that the injury was sustained as a result of the fault of your employer.

You may be able to sue your employer as a result of your employer’s failure to take reasonable care of you while in the course of your employment. That is that the employer was “at fault” in causing your accident.

This is, in short, suing your employer for negligence.

You make this claim if you would like to obtain a lump sum amount of compensation for loss of income rather than receiving weekly payments from the insurer.

To be eligible to make a Work Injury Damages claim, you must be able to demonstrate the following: ‑

• You must be able to demonstrate negligence on behalf of your employer or a fellow employee. Negligence is a breach of your employer’s duty to take reasonable care while you are in the course of your employment.
• You must also have a permanent impairment equal to or greater than 15% whole person impairment assessed by an independent doctor appointed by the Workers Compensation Commission or as agreed with the insurer.

If both of these matters can be established, then you have an entitlement to seek payment of compensation in the form of damages. This is known as a Work Injury Damages claim.

Damages are a form of monetary compensation payable as a one-off lump sum.

Damages are usually payable for things such as pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, past and future loss of income, and past and future care and assistance.

The Workers Compensation Legislation, however, has modified the Common law of Australia and restricted an employee’s entitlement to damages by allowing payment of compensation for loss of income only.

Damages under a Work Injury Damages claim are only payable for past and future loss of income. You are not entitled to claim damages for pain and suffering, future medical treatment, or future care and assistance in any claim against an employer.

If you elect to proceed with a claim for work injury damages and are successful in obtaining a lump sum amount to represent your past and future loss of income, then your remaining entitlements to workers compensation will cease. You are no longer entitled to claim any weekly compensation, medical expenses (past or future), domestic assistance, or rehabilitation assistance. It is a full and final settlement of your rights and entitlements under the Workers Compensation Act.

The restriction on damages only applies to employers; it does not apply in any claim against a non-employer.