Understanding Workplace Injuries

If you or your husband have been injured in the workplace then your entire family will feel the heat. Not only will you have to watch your spouse in pain but you will also more than likely be left as primary caregiver, plus juggling your regular duties and routine.

Accidents happen and fortunately there is workplace cover in place which will offer you compensation in the event of an accident at the workplace.   So whether you or your husband have hurt yourselves while operating heavy machinery or have simply had a nasty slip in the office, it is important to familiarize yourself with the workplace injury rules.

Workplace Laws in Australia

Every state is different when it comes to workplace related injury laws, however The Industrial Relations Act (QLD) and The Occupational Health and Safety Act (NSW & VIC) both state that employers have a responsibly to:

• Ensure a safe working environment for their employees
• Ensure that the employees have had sufficient training to handle equipment and substances
• Ensure that there is the proper training, supervision, instruction and information in place. However, even if the workplace is considered safe, this doesn’t mean that you are on your own if you have an accident and are hurt.

Steps for Workplace Related Claims

Every accident is different. Some injuries will not show up for several days while in other instances you may not even know what has happened until you wake up in hospital several days later. However, the general guideline when it comes to dealing with workplace related injuries is as follows:

• Report the accident. As soon as you suffer an injury then you must report it to the supervisor. Generally, you will need to report the incident within 48 hours, if possible.
• Get Medical Assistance. Get the help you need, whether this means going to the doctor or calling 000. Make sure you make it clear to the doctor that this is a workers compensation claim right from the start.
• Keep all documentation. Keep all receipts, bills and scripts that you receive. Ask for a copy of the records from your doctors and make a file of all of these things. You may need this information when making a claim.
• Claim for compensation in order to get compensation you will need to file a claim which involves contacting your workplace injury representative and filling out the paperwork. How much you are entitled to will depend on the seriousness of the accident among other things.

It some instances it may be in your best interest to seek legal guidance through a workplace related law firm. Many companies charge on a contingency basis which means you won’t have to spend anything unless you win your case and you receive your claim.  There are several loopholes in the workplace cover act and you may not be fully compensated for your pain, suffering and bills. Furthermore, you may find that your claim is denied outright if it is suspected that the injury occurred because the employer’s instructions were not followed.

When faced with any work related injury another fear is that your job may be on the line if you do not return to work as soon as possible. The financial hardship that comes with a work related injury can send many families over the edge which is why it is important to seek legal advice, stick together and familiarize yourself with the laws in your state just in case.