Have you been injured at work? – written by Nicole Doyle, Associate.
According to WorkSafe Queensland the highest risk industry on the Sunshine Coast, with a hugely disproportionate number of workers compensation claims, is the manufacturing industry. This includes metal product manufacturing, motor vehicle manufacturing and timber manufacturing.
Workplace injuries in the manufacturing industry include equipment related injuries, manual task related injuries, slips, trips and falls, becoming trapped and vehicle accidents.
A workplace injury is not only an injury. A workplace injury can be an aggravation or acceleration of a pre-existing injury or the onset of a condition or an illness. In fact, a high proportion of workplace injuries involve the onset of symptoms associated with pre-existing degeneration.
If you have been involved in an accident at work, you will likely be eligible for workers’ compensation under the statutory scheme set out in the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld). The statutory scheme pays statutory compensation for all workers injured at work regardless of the cause of the injury in the form of weekly income replacement benefits and hospital and medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses and travel expenses.
To be eligible for statutory compensation there must simply be a relationship between your employment and the injury. This means that not only employees are eligible for compensation, but in some instances, subcontractors and agents are also eligible to claim compensation for an injury sustained in the workplace.
If your injury is the fault of your employer you may be eligible to sue for additional compensation for the negligence of your employer. Such compensation payments usually include a component for future economic loss to compensate an employee for the impact of their injury on their future earning capacity.
The WorkCover scheme in Queensland can be confusing. If you have been injured at work, in the manufacturing industry or otherwise, Miller Sockhill Lawyers can advise you on your rights and prospects and assist you through every step of both the statutory and common law process.
Time limits do apply and it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure that important deadlines are not missed.
For further information, please contact Nicole Doyle on 5444 4750 or ndoyle@millersockhilllawyers.com.au
Located in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, Miller Sockhill Lawyers regularly advise clients on personal injury matters.
