Workers' Compensation Lawyers Queensland

In Queensland, employees who are covered by WorkCover may be eligible for compensation if they’ve suffered a physical injury (including aggravations), a psychological injury (including aggravations), an occupational disease or an illness related to their job.

This coverage extends to all full-time, part-time, casual, and seasonal workers. If you are covered by a self-insurer, then your self-insurer is also subject to the same regulations and laws as those covered by WorkCover.

WorkCover Queensland is the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, providing benefits and support to injured workers. 

WorkCover is one of the insurers in Queensland that you can make a claim through if you are injured at work.  They are not a government department. There are other workers' compensation insurers in Queensland which may cover your workplace, and we can assist you in identifying the relevant insurer for your workplace.

Workers’ statutory compensation benefits can cover various expenses, including medical costs, rehabilitation services, and a portion of lost wages. Under statutory compensation benefits, additional compensation, such as lump sum payments, may be available for permanent impairment without the need to prove fault.

However, it is crucial to seek professional advice because any decision you make in relation to the lump sum payment may impact upon your ability to claim more compensation for your injuries.

Common law damages amounts depend on the severity of your injury, your capacity to work because of your injury,  and your medical expenses. Our lawyers will ensure all aspects of your injury are considered to maximise your common law damages.   

Pursuing a common law damages claim is often more beneficial than accepting a lump sum offer under statutory compensation benefits, as you are likely to receive a higher amount where negligence by your employer can be proven. 

You may be entitled to several types of statutory compensation benefits, including:

• weekly payments: for lost wages during recovery
• medical and like expenses: covering treatment, rehabilitation, and travel costs
• lump sum payments: for permanent impairment or serious injuries
• attendant care and household assistance: for injuries that impact your ability to attend to everyday activities

Please note that lump sum payments do not compensate you for the future impact of your injury. To claim proper compensation for how your injury may affect you in the future, you should consider pursuing a common law claim for damages. It is recommended that you seek expert legal advice to understand your options.  

Your statutory compensation benefits will not continue indefinitely . If WorkCover or a self-insurer attempts to cease your weekly payments or medical expenses too early, it is crucial to seek professional advice immediately. Strict time limits apply to challenge their decision and reinstate your statutory compensation benefits

In addition to statutory compensation benefits, employees may also be entitled to common law damages if they can prove that their injury was caused by the negligence of their employer.

Common law damages amounts depend on the severity of your injury, your capacity to work because of your injury,  and your medical expenses. Our lawyers will ensure all aspects of your injury are considered to maximise your common law damages.   

Pursuing a common law damages claim is often more beneficial than accepting a lump sum offer under statutory compensation benefits, as you are likely to receive a higher amount where negligence by your employer can be proven.

If you can prove fault by your employer, then you may be entitled to several types of common law damages, including:

• past and future loss of wages: compensation for total lost wages during your recovery period (even if WorkCover or the self-insurer has funded a proportion of these lost wages during recovery) as well as total lost future wages (including any missed overtime or potential likely promotions you missed out on as a result of your injury) until your intended retirement age. 
• past and future medical expenses: covering treatment, rehabilitation, and associated travel costs during your recovery period (even if WorkCover or the self-insurer has funded these during your recovery) and likely future treatment, rehabilitation and associated travel costs until your expected life expectancy (if applicable).
• past and future loss of superannuation: compensation for total lost superannuation during your recovery period (even if WorkCover or the self-insurer has funded a proportion of this lost superannuation during recovery) as well as total lost future superannuation until your intended retirement age.
• past and future paid care and support: compensation for paid care and support during your recovery and if needed into the future until your expected life expectancy (if applicable).