Worker’s Compensation
Assessing Whether You Should Apply for Workers Compensation
Most people suffer some kind of work-related injury or illness in the course of their careers, whether it’s simply catching the flu from fellow workers or something more serious like a fall or machinery-related accident.
Deciding whether you should apply for workers compensation because of an injury sustained at work or travelling to or from work, comes down to whether you have suffered (or will suffer) physically or financially because of it.
If as a result of your injury or illness, you incur:
- medical and rehabilitation expenses
- medically-related expenses, such as travelling for treatment
- lost income due to time off work
Compensation for Work from Home Injuries
With the wide availability of high speed internet and mobile technology solutions, it’s becoming more common for employees from work from home at least some of the time. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as many as 6 per cent of workers have teleworking arrangements with their employer and choose to work from the comfort of their own home for at least some of their work hours. The work from home arrangement comes with its own implications for workers compensation. Here, we take a look at when and what if you claim if you suffer a work-related injury at home.
When Can You Claim?
First, if you do suffer an injury while working from home, a good starting point is to seek advice from compensation lawyers in Sydney or in your local area to ensure that you’re fully aware of all your options for obtaining compensation. It’s also important to inform your employer of the accident according to the regulations in your state or territory, and to seek medical treatment in a timely manner.
Your Compensation Options if You’ve Been Injured at Work
If you have experienced a work-related injury or disease, you may be entitled to compensation under the Workers Compensation Scheme. Some of the compensation entitlements may be in the form of lump sum payments, medical costs, and other payment options. It’s important to obtain specific advice from compensation lawyers in Sydney or elsewhere about all the types of compensation for which you’re eligible.
The Scheme in NSW
Under the NSW scheme, most employers are required to have a workers compensation policy. The scheme is funded by the premiums paid by employers, which are then paid out to eligible workers for financial and medical compensation. The key thing to know about the scheme is that it’s a ‘no-fault’ scheme, which means negligence does not need to be proved to obtain compensation.
Categories of Compensation
The categories of compensation available to injured workers are as follows.