If you have been injured at work, it can be a stressful and difficult time. The impact of not being able to earn a wage because you have been hurt can have a significant impact on you and your family.
If you are injured at work, these are the things you need to do to make sure your claim is properly made and ensure compensation is paid to you as soon as possible:
- The first step if you are injured at work or in the course of your employment is to seek first aid and any further medical treatment if needed.
- You must notify your employer that you have sustained an injury as soon as possible. You will need to advise your employer of the date and time that the injury occurred and a description of the injury and how it occurred.
- The employer will then notify the insurer of the incident. You can notify the insurer for your employer and your employer is obliged to advise the name of their insurer if you ask for it. The insurer must be notified of an injury within 48 hours of your employer being made aware of the injury.
- A workers compensation claim should be made within six months of the date of injury however, in some circumstances this time limit can be extended.
- The workers compensation insurer will contact you to discuss your injury once they have been notified of your claim.
- It is important to obtain and provide to your employer and insurer a Certificate of Capacity from your treating doctor, detailing your capacity for work, including hours and types of activities you can and cannot do and any recommended medical treatment to enable weekly payments of compensation to be made.
- The insurer is required to start making provisional payments, for wage loss and treatment expenses, to you within 7 days unless the insurer has advised they have notified you that there is a reasonable excuse.
If you have been injured at work and need advice about your rights and entitlements, please call one of our experienced compensation team in Bathurst, Lithgow, or Oberon on (02) 6331 2911. We're here to help!
Angus Edwards | Principal