In Queensland and most Australian States and Territories, there are schemes set up to protect workers when injured in the course of their work. The purpose of these schemes is to ensure that an injured worker will be able to obtain the medical treatment they need to rehabilitate from their injury and also, to provide them with a source of income whilst they are unable to work due to their work injury. The term used to describe this scheme is “workers’ compensation”.

Workers’ Compensation in Queensland – A No Fault Based Scheme

In Queensland, the workers’ compensation scheme is governed by the Workers’ Compensation & Rehabilitation Act 2003. Under this legislation, if you are injured in the course of your work, on your way to or from work, or during a work break, then you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The Scheme is also “no fault” based, so this means, even if you think your work injury was your fault, you are still entitled to claim.

As indicated above, the benefits you can claim for under a workers’ compensation claim include:

(a)  Funding of medical & rehabilitation expenses for the treatment of your work injury;

(b) Paying lost wages if you are unable to work or have a reduced work capacity;

(c)  Paying you a lump sum amount if you suffer permanent impairment as a result of your work injury;

(d)  Paying a lump sum amount for care and assistance in cases of very serious injury;

(e)  Paying an additional compensation lump sum amount in cases of very serious and debilitating injury.Continue reading→