From hellhole to hope: Richard’s story of resilience after a work injury

Nestled between K’gari, the Great Sandy National Park and the mining town of Gympie, sits Rainbow Beach – one of Queensland’s hidden gems.

A rich, earthy palette ripples through the ancient sand dunes, formed over millennia. These towering cliffs are a testament to the power of the wind that pushes sand across the landscape, slowly burying vegetation.

Sitting on the beach, gazing out at the expansive ocean, Richard contemplates how the last few years have dramatically shaped his life. At times, he felt like a gale force wind was burying him under sand. But out of the hellhole of a tragic work injury that left him permanently disabled, Richard’s future is bright. A successful WorkCover claim has given him a secure future, which he intends to spend in this magical part of the world.

Into the hellhole

It was a regular workday for Richard, a mechanic at the coal mine where he had worked for over a decade. He was changing a hydraulic connection on a massive bulldozer in an area known as the “hellhole” – a big hole under the floor of the cab.

To access the hellhole, workers must climb down into the area around the hydraulic pumps and drive shafts in a tight, awkward manoeuvre.

Reaching across the cramped space, his arms outstretched, Richard tried to loosen the valve, but it would not budge. Using a spanner in one hand and a hammer in the other, he attempted to loosen the connection. With no luck, he tried again by hand. With both arms extended and his feet dangling below, Richard felt a pop and a sharp pain in his lower back. He knew something was very wrong. Despite the searing pain, he managed to climb out of the dozer.

After taking a break, he pushed through the pain to finish his 12-hour night shift, knowing there was no one to take over. When his shift ended, he reported the incident to his supervisor.

How an unsafe workplace leads to injury

That morning, Richard’s task of changing the hydraulic connection on the dozer had been assigned to one person, despite the difficulty and risk involved. Workplace safety at the mine had long been compromised by short staffing and time constraints. There was always pressure to rush jobs, and not enough workers to do them safely. When Richard had previously asked for assistance, his concerns were shrugged off. 

A life changed forever by a workplace injury

Following that first sharp twinge when removing the valve, Richard’s pain worsened, and he was diagnosed with a debilitating injury to his lower left back. 

He took a month off work to try to recover, hoping things would improve so he could return to normal before resuming light duties. After a while, Richard resumed his regular duties until one day, while lifting a five-kilogram mat off the floor, he felt that same sharp pain again. 

Lifting the mat had aggravated his back injury, and he was in immense pain and could barely move. This time, though, his employer claimed there were no light duties available, leaving him unable to return to work. 

In constant pain, struggling to move, and unable to return to the job he loved, Richard’s mental health started to decline. Physiotherapy, a cortisone injection and sessions with a psychologist helped him improve, but the long road ahead felt incredibly daunting. 

Richard had intended to continue working in the mines as a mechanic until he retired. Without an income, he was unsure how he would pay his bills and fund his retirement.

Taking action: supporting Richard’s WorkCover claim  

Richard’s injury could have been prevented if his employer had allocated a second person to assist him. Unfortunately, it’s a scenario we see too often – employers cutting costs and compromising work safety, leading to employees getting injured on the job.

When Richard lodged his WorkCover claim, the process was lengthy and stressful. His case was investigated intensively, causing delays and uncertainty. Like many injured workers, Richard felt guilty for bringing a claim against his workplace, despite knowing his unsafe working conditions had caused his injury.

Our team was determined to support Richard through the lengthy and uncomfortable process and ensure he felt informed and supported every step of the way. We liaised directly with Workcover in the initial stage, coordinated with his treatment providers to ensure all his treatment was funded, and kept his wife up to date throughout the claim. 

To strengthen Richard’s case, we obtained statements from two of his co-workers who confirmed that the task was awkward and dangerous, should have been allocated to two people and required more training. It wasn’t an easy road, but together we built a strong case.

Out of the hellhole and into the light

Richard’s life had changed dramatically, and he was struggling. The whole process felt like an anchor pulling him down and keeping him stuck in this dark place. It was important to us to achieve a resolution for his claim as quickly as possible.

We were proud to help Richard through this challenging time and get him a great result. He can now start planning for his retirement knowing he’ll have the resources he needs to live out his years comfortably in this beautiful part of the world.

Getting help with a work injury claim

If you've been injured at work or as part of your work, you may be eligible to make a workplace injury compensation claim. Our dedicated workers' compensation lawyers are here to help you get back on track, so you can focus on your recovery.

Use our free claim check tool to find out if you're eligible for a workers' compensation claim, send us a message, or call us on 1800 111 222.