If you have been incapacitated due to an injury or long term illness caused by your working conditions or environment then you might be entitled to workers compensation to ease the financial burden of being off work long term. In this article we will take a look at the ways that the insurance that your company takes out for you can help you though these difficult times.
The workers compensation scheme gives the worker a number of benefits to help the employee get back to work and support the worker during the period that the employee is unable to work. These benefits include:
Loss of wages, once the worker has been off work for seven days then the scheme will cover the basic wage until the worker is able to return to work full time. Don’t get too excited at claiming for extra shifts on this scheme it covers JUST the basic wage it does not cover overtime, shift allowance and penalty rates. Also be aware that should the worker be off for more than six months then the payments could drop to a statutory rate.
Medical and other expenses, within reason the system covers most medical and hospital treatments, necessary therapies and counseling, any medical tests that are needed and your medications.
Rehabilitation expenses, the scheme covers all of the costs involved with getting you to return to work including rehabilitation and a job seeking expense should you need to retrain because of your initial reason for needing workers compensation in the first place.
Other out of pocket expenses, this includes any aids or equipment that you may need to get over your injuries and any extra travel expenses that you may incur.
Lump sum payment for permanent injuries, this bit does pretty much what it says should you have a permanent or serious injury then you can be awarded a lump sum on the workers compensation scheme.
You also have a number of rights as an injured worker these include, having your own choice of doctor, choose who helps you with your rehabilitation in the form of a rehabilitation provider, you get to input into your own plan to get you to return to work and you also get to have your own choice of treatment and occupational health providers.
Your job is protected for sic months following your injury, this means your employer has to hold your position open for six months and if you return to work in that timeframe you are entitled to your job back. Even if you are terminated after a six month period, should you be fit enough to return to your previous position before a two year period has passed then you can apply to be reinstated with your employer.
As an employee you have responsibilities to ensure that the process runs smoothly and you get what you are entitled to. These include:
You MUST tell your employer of any illness or injury straight away, a delay could cause a delay with your claim and in some cases mean you are not entitled to claim.
You need to see a doctor as soon as possible and obtain a WorkCover medical certificate; this must then be given to your employer.
You have to cooperate with those that are aiming to get you back to work in the form of your return to work team.
Stay in regular touch with your employer so they know the latest on your situation and can plan around your absence.
As soon as you can return to work with your doctors consent.
Keep copies of all paperwork and keep a record of your day to day experiences so the insurance company knows exactly what has been happening in your case.
Tell the insurers immediately should your employment status or circumstances change in any way.
Your return to work plan on the workers compensation scheme will be set out to help you get back to fitness as soon as possible and your employer will work with you and your return to work team to ensure that you get back to work when you are ready. In many cases they could suggest that you return on lighter duties or even on reduced hours to start with, but everyone’s main aim will be to get you back to work as soon as possible.
Visit the Workers Compensation section of the Injury Claims Australia website to get more information on this scheme and others that ensure that you are not out of pocket should you suffer and it is not your fault. The Workers Compensation team has over 15 years experience in getting results to benefit their clients.
