Workers Compensation  

What compensation can I get for a work injury?

Under the workers' compensation system, workers who have suffered workplace-related injury or disease may be entitled to:

• Weekly payments to cover loss of earning capacity, whether you are unable to work at all or if you have returned to work, but because of your injury or disease, you had to take a job paying less than before your injury or disease.
• Payment of medical expenses.
• Lump sums if you suffer permanent impairment or injury if injured at work, you have rights which need protecting.
• Vocational rehabilitation expenses, where necessary, to help you in your return to work.
• Lump-sum payment and weekly compensation payments to dependents of deceased workers.

Our long-standing Taylor & Scott reputation is built on the ability of expert compensation lawyers, each with more than 15 years of experience winning compensation claims. We handle a broad range of cases ranging from minimal degree of injury to catastrophic cases, affecting young people and adults whose lives have been affected by injury.

What do compensation lawyers do?

Our commitment and dedication to this complicated area of law gives us the expertise required to maximise the compensation you are entitled to, and to ensure you receive it. If your work-related injuries or illness are serious, we will also investigate any claim you may be able to make for damages, either against your employer or against a third party who may have been responsible for your injury. Every workers' compensation claim undertaken by Taylor & Scott Lawyers is tailored according to claim guidelines. When the process is overseen by highly qualified experts, a clear indication of expected outcomes can be provided at the outset, along with an investigation of additional monetary and other compensation avenues. We offer a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your claim circumstances, expected claim outcomes, and direction moving forward.

How do I make a compensation claim in 2020?

Any claim for workers compensation will be thoroughly investigated by our team. We will communicate with you regularly in a clear and concise manner so you understand your claim, including the action being taken on your behalf and the options available to you. At Taylor & Scott, we are on your side, working together for the best possible compensation claim outcomes. Our lawyers travel widely through NSW, including the North Coast, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Bathurst, Orange, Coffs Harbour, Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga the Hunter Valley, Armidale and the Central Coast. We go the extra mile to meet and assist our clients in person, ensuring any claim for workers compensation including workplace bullying, workplace hazards and returning to work events is thoroughly investigated by one of our team.

Who pays a compensation lawyer?

The New South Wales Government provides legal funding to injured workers to advise, investigate and pursue legal proceedings in the Workers Compensation Commission. Taylor & Scott Lawyers will thoroughly investigate your situation, and If we believe you have a viable workers compensation claim, we will make an application for a grant of legal assistance from WIRO, meaning that you will not pay any legal costs in pursuing a workers compensation claim.

What is the Workers' Compensation Act?

Workers who have suffered work-related injuries in Australian states and territories are supported by work health and safety legislation. All Australian states and territories have their own regulatory body overseeing Workers' Compensation legislation. In New South Wales, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) oversees compliance with the New South Wales Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998. The workers' compensation legislation protects both employers and employees. It establishes workers compensation scheme pathways for accessing financial and other compensation in the event of a workplace accident or injury.

What does Workers' Compensation insurance cover?

Workers compensation insurance is a form of insurance designed to cover the costs of supporting an injured worker. Weekly payments are generally calculated on pre-injury average weekly earnings, including payments for overtime and shift allowance. Ongoing entitlements are subject to review, with payments made according to set calculations. Workers compensation can include:

• Weekly benefit payments;
• Rehabilitation services;
• Hospital and medical expenses;
• Replacement of damaged items;
• Lump-sum payment for death or permanent impairment.

All NSW employers with full-time, part-time or casual workers are required to have a workers compensation policy in place.

Who is covered by workers' compensation?

All employees in NSW are covered by workers compensation for work-related injuries and illnesses. This applies even where the employer is uninsured. If an employer has failed to obtain or maintain a workers insurance policy, an employee can make a claim through the uninsured liability scheme managed by icare. Workers compensation provides benefits to employees who are usually directly employed by the employer but also to some ‘deemed’ workers. Deemed workers include outworkers, salespersons, rural workers, entertainers some contractors who may appear to be self-employed contractors but actually work exclusively for and at the direction of the employer. Contractors working for their own business or another company should have separate workers compensation arrangements.

How much will I get for workers' compensation?

Workers compensation payments are made according to set criteria. High payouts are rare, so it’s important to remain realistic regarding your claim’s potential. However, workers compensation is designed to provide weekly payments to compensate for lost wages, medical expenses and rehabilitation/training programs.

How much would a lawyer cost for workers' compensation?

If you are recovering from a workplace injury or illness, the last thing you need is additional financial hardship piled on top of the other problems. Fortunately, Taylor & Scott Lawyers understand the difficulties faced by injured workers, and if we believe you have a viable workers compensation claim, we will apply on your behalf for a grant of legal assistance from the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office (WIRO). With Taylor & Scott guiding your claim, you won’t pay any legal costs in pursuing a workers compensation claim.

Can I get workers' compensation for back injuries?

Work injuries come in many forms and include both physical and psychological injuries. Injuries caused by stresses to the body account for more than a third of all workers compensation claims, with back injury claims a common example. Cumulative or sudden trauma can impact muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments, and it is important to inform your employer if you have been injured, or as soon as symptoms manifest.

Where can I talk to a Workers' Compensation Lawyer in NSW?

The best workers compensation lawyers have a track record of success and a history of serving the people of Sydney, NSW and beyond. Taylor & Scott Lawyers have been a winning team for over 120 years, and we remain a legal firm Australians trust, with our head office based in the heart of Sydney’s legal and financial district, plus Parramatta. With availability in Sydney and regional NSW, and a commitment to reach you wherever you are, Taylor & Scott Lawyers are the go-to team for work-related injuries claims management and all other legal matters where strong and caring representation gets real compensation results.