WorkCover in Perth

If you have been injured at work in Perth, dealing with WorkCover can add another layer of stress when you are already managing an injury, medical treatment and time away from work. Questions can quickly arise about making a claim, what payments you are entitled to receive, getting treatment approved and what happens if an insurer disputes your claim.

Trewin Norman & Co assists injured workers across Perth with WorkCover claims and disputes. We can help you understand your rights, deal with insurers and advise you if a decision is affecting your payments, treatment or ability to return to work.

Whether you are starting a claim, experiencing problems with an existing claim or facing a WorkCover dispute, our team can advise you on your options.

How Does WorkCover Work in WA?

WorkCover WA oversees Western Australia's workers compensation and injury management scheme. The scheme provides support for eligible workers who suffer an injury or illness arising from their employment.

Your claim itself will generally involve your employer and their insurer. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to income compensation while you are unable to work, medical and treatment expenses, rehabilitation and other benefits.

Workplace injuries can include sudden accidents, such as falls, machinery accidents and lifting injuries, as well as conditions that develop over time because of repetitive work or ongoing physical demands.

Trewin Norman & Co can help you understand how the WorkCover system applies to your injury and the entitlements that may be available.

What Can You Claim Through WorkCover?

The benefits available will depend on your injury, employment and how your ability to work has been affected.

Your claim may provide for:

• Income compensation while your injury affects your capacity to work
• Medical and hospital expenses
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Medication and other treatment expenses
• Workplace rehabilitation services
• Certain travel expenses associated with treatment
• Entitlements relating to permanent impairment

Your needs may also change throughout your claim. You could initially be unable to work before returning on reduced hours or modified duties, while treatment may continue for months or longer.

If you are unsure whether you are receiving the correct payments or benefits, Trewin Norman & Co can review your WorkCover claim and explain your entitlements.

WorkCover Disputes in Perth

A WorkCover dispute can arise at almost any stage of your claim. You may disagree with a decision about whether your claim is accepted, how much you are being paid, whether treatment will be approved or your capacity to return to work.

Trewin Norman & Co assists Perth workers with WorkCover disputes involving:

• Rejected or denied claims where an insurer does not accept liability for your workplace injury or illness
• Weekly payment and income compensation disputes, including disagreements about your entitlement to payments or how long they should continue
• Rate of pay disputes involving the amount of income compensation you are receiving
• Medical treatment or surgery disputes where recommended treatment, rehabilitation or surgery is disputed or not approved
• Return-to-work disputes involving your capacity for work, suitable duties, working hours or restrictions following an injury
• Permanent impairment disputes involving the assessment or degree of permanent impairment resulting from a workplace injury
• Settlement disputes involving the terms, value or consequences of a proposed workers compensation settlement
• Employer related disputes concerning matters that affect the management of your workers compensation claim or return to work
• Total and permanent disablement disputes where there is disagreement about the severity and long-term impact of an injury or your capacity to work
• Medical evidence disputes where there are conflicting opinions about your diagnosis, treatment, recovery or capacity for work
• Suspension or discontinuation of payments where your workers compensation payments are reduced, suspended or stopped

If you are involved in a WorkCover dispute, Trewin Norman & Co can review the decision, medical evidence and circumstances of your claim and explain the options available to challenge or resolve the dispute. Getting advice early can also help you understand how a decision may affect your ongoing payments, treatment or workers compensation entitlements.

Resolving a WorkCover Dispute

WorkCover WA provides a dispute resolution process for disagreements arising under the WA workers compensation scheme.

The way a dispute is handled will depend on the decision being challenged and the circumstances of your claim. Medical reports, employment information, wage records and other evidence may need to be gathered to support your position.

Some WorkCover disputes can be resolved through discussions or agreement between the parties. Others may progress to formal dispute resolution proceedings.

Trewin Norman & Co can represent you throughout a WorkCover dispute, from reviewing the initial decision and preparing supporting evidence through to dealing with the insurer and representing your interests in formal proceedings.

Medical Examinations During a WorkCover Claim

You may be asked to attend a medical examination arranged by the insurer while your WorkCover claim is being managed. The examination may consider your injury, treatment requirements, recovery, capacity to work and other medical issues relevant to your claim.

The resulting medical evidence can influence decisions about treatment, payments and your return to work.

If you are concerned about an examination request or disagree with how medical evidence is being used, Trewin Norman & Co can explain your rights and how the evidence may affect your claim.

Returning to Work After an Injury

Returning to work following an injury may involve reduced hours, modified duties or restrictions on particular tasks while you recover. Your medical certificates and return to work arrangements can therefore have an important role in your WorkCover claim.

Disputes can arise where an insurer, employer and worker have different views about capacity for work or suitable duties.

If you disagree with a decision about your ability to return to work, Trewin Norman & Co can review your circumstances and advise you on your options.

WorkCover Claims for Permanent Injuries

Some workplace injuries continue to affect a worker after treatment and rehabilitation. If your injury results in permanent impairment, additional entitlements may be available depending on the nature and extent of the impairment.

Permanent impairment can also become relevant when considering a settlement and the long-term effect of an injury on your employment.

Before agreeing to a settlement involving a permanent injury, Trewin Norman & Co can explain how the proposed settlement may affect your existing and future entitlements.

What if Someone Other Than My Employer Caused My Injury?

A workplace accident can sometimes involve the actions or negligence of another person or business.

For example, you may have been injured while working at another company's premises, because of defective equipment supplied by another business or in an accident involving a third party.

In these circumstances, you may have rights outside your WorkCover claim.

Trewin Norman & Co can consider how your injury occurred and advise whether another compensation claim may also be available. We can deal with insurers on your behalf, review medical evidence, advise on settlement proposals and represent you through the WorkCover WA dispute resolution process.

Contact Trewin Norman & Co to discuss your WorkCover claim and find out how we can help.