A workplace dispute can cause severe issues amongst employers and staff and is a very stressful issue to deal with alone. The good news is that Queensland law includes many provisions to protect employees so an attorney will be capable of offering help, no matter your issue. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the common forms of workplace disputes and their legal claims.
Workers Compensation
What Support And Compensation Can I Access While On WorkCover?
WorkCover is a form of insurance available for employees that are injured at work or travelling to work. The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (the Act) establishes a workers’ compensation scheme for Queensland, providing benefits relating to workplace injuries or fatalities, and insurance for employers. The Act states that employers must insure their workers with WorkCover Queensland under an Accident Insurance Policy.
Work Cover is a ‘no fault’ scheme, so despite who or what caused the injury it allows Queensland workers to make a claim and access benefits if they sustain a work-related injury or illness.
What You Need to Know about Defending Your Rights in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you are injured as a result of your work, you may be eligible for compensation. This includes physical and psychological injuries or illnesses sustained at work, as well as any medical costs, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, disability compensation, loss of income or other damage related to the injury.
Laws in Queensland exist to ensure workers are appropriately compensated if they are injured at work. There are two main pathways when making a workplace injury claim – worker’s compensation and common law claims. Below, we’ll be looking at workers’ compensation and the importance of engaging a compensation lawyer to manage the process.
“Host Employment” Compensation When Working Through a Labour Hire Company
Labour hire companies are emerging as a dominant force in the Australian labour market, with many businesses displacing their directly employed and permanent staff with hire-in personnel.
Businesses benefit from the reduced risk and responsibility to offer continued work for employees. However, many labour hire workers are left wondering what their rights are, particularly if they sustain a work-related injury. The good news is that labour hire workers still have rights in these circumstances and are just as entitled to compensation as other workers.
Why You Should Seek Legal Help before Making a Claim against an Employer
Despite everyone’s best efforts, workplace disputes and conflicts between employees and employers can be impossible to avoid. Aside from causing a lot of stress, disputes can have serious legal and financial consequences for both parties.
Disputes can arise from a number of situations, including conflicts over terms and conditions of employment, workers’ compensation, unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment. If you are an employee thinking about taking action against your employer over a workplace dispute, it is crucial that you get legal advice.
Why Workers’ Compensation Can Be So Difficult For Claimants
Workplaces are required by law to be insured for workers’ compensation so they are financially protected if employees sustain an injury related to their job. These compensation claims operate on a no fault basis, with the insurer (usually WorkCover Queensland) paying medical costs and wages regardless of what caused the injury.
It sounds so straightforward, yet injured workers often experience significant difficulties when making work-related injury claims. These difficulties can arise from their dealings with insurers or from pursuing the more complex common law claims for damages.
What should you do if you are not satisfied with WorkCover
If you have been injured due to your working conditions, WorkCover is required to offset all payments for treatment. Occasionally, this is not the case and Australian employees are left out of pocket. If you are unhappy with the financial support you have received, we’ve put together this guide to the process of appealing a workers’ compensation decision.
Don’t Put Up with Abuse Anymore
For too many years, employees have been coping with workplace abuse without speaking up for their rights. This silent predisposition has been changing in recent years as we begin to understand the types of abuse and the level of harm that can result. Today, we’re highlighting forms of abuse and the options available to you as an Australian employee.
Injured at Work? Know Your Rights
Workplace injuries are exceedingly common as Australian workers put themselves in dangerous situations on behalf of their employer. Be it company negligence, accidental injury or defective equipment, it’s important to know your rights. In this article, we will be explaining the processes involved with workers’ compensation in Queensland and wider Australia.
A Guide to Claiming Workplace Injuries
What Kind of Injuries Can I Apply for?
Workplace injuries can range from serious illness, injury or damage (including amputations, fractures and brain injuries) through to less severe injuries such as strains and sprains (e.g. repetitive strain injury).
Examples of injuries include:
- Injuries suffered at work, as a result of work or during work activities
- Diseases caused by work
- Diseases or pre-existing conditions made worse by work
- Injuries suffered while travelling for work
- Injuries suffered while receiving medical treatment for a separate work injury
A work injury doesn’t have to be purely physical. Mental injuries such as those driven by stress, or leading to events such as a heart attack or worsening of a pre-existing condition can also be eligible for workplace injury compensation.
