Injured at work? We’re here to help
Every worker has a right to go to work each day, knowing they’ll come home safely. That’s why if you’ve been injured or become ill at work you may be entitled to make a claim for workers’ compensation.
What you need to know
WorkCover is a no-fault insurance scheme that covers any sick or injured worker. This includes full-time, part-time and casual employees. Apprentices, volunteers, and labour-hires are also covered.
Any workplace injury needs to be reported to your employer within 30 days. You should also lodge a workers’ compensation claim within this time.
If it’s been more than 30 days, it’s important to speak to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to meet any deadlines.
We offer a No Win, No Fee arrangement. This means that you won’t pay for our legal work if we don’t win your case. You may still be liable for third party costs and disbursements.
You don’t need to prove your employer was negligent or at-fault to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You only need to prove negligence if you want to pursue a common law claim.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers' compensation claim?
If you've been injured at work, having a lawyer by your side can make all the difference in navigating your claim. They can help you understand decisions from insurers and WorkCover, organise medical experts to assess your injuries, and help you navigate the return-to-work process.
A lawyer can also clarify your rights and challenge decisions made by insurers, such as disputes over ongoing weekly payments which can extend beyond the 130-week mark.
With our expertise, we could help you can increase the compensation you receive, helping you get the full benefits while focusing on your recovery.
Slater and Gordon offer a No Win, No Fee* arrangement for workers' compensation claims in Victoria to ensure expert legal advice is accessible to all. Put simply this means that if you don’t win, you don’t pay Slater and Gordon for the work we do on your case. You may still be liable for third party costs and disbursements.
Understand more about how to make a workers’ compensation claim.
Entitlements
Under the Workers’ Compensation Scheme, you may be entitled to the following benefits:
Weekly payments to cover lost wages
Medical, hospital and nursing expenses
Lost superannuation entitlements
Rehabilitation, counselling and other support services
Compensation for pain and suffering, as well as economic loss, because of a serious or severe injury.
How we can help
Dedicated and experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can maximise your compensation entitlements and guide you through the claims process.
We can help you if:
you've been injured at work and don't know what to do next
you need help submitting a WorkCover claim
you have additional benefits through the insurance policies included in your superannuation
you need help with a Comcare claim if you are a government employee
Check if you're eligible for a Workers’ Compensation claim
Find out if your injury or illness is eligible to make a Workers’ Compensation claim. Your online check only takes 3 minutes.
Step through the process
You should report your injury to your employer as soon as you become aware of your injury and then lodge your WorkCover claim.
Learn more about making a WorkCover claim
In your obligation free initial appointment, your lawyer will learn more about your accident from you and then give you the advice you need to choose the best way forward.
We’ll gather evidence, obtain reports, organise meetings and appointments, and more. This is how we prepare the strongest case possible for you.
We’ll organise any independent medical examinations you might need.
We’ll help support you at every step of your journey to get you the compensation you deserve. In the rare event you need to go to court, we’ll help represent you.
Learn more about what to expect during a Workers’ Compensation case.
Types of injury claims
With lawyers and offices around Australia, we’re experienced with different types of injury claims and the process in all states.
Here are some claims we settle regularly:
Injuries from a fall
Construction or work site accidents
Injuries caused by malfunctioning machines
Lifting injuries
Mental health injuries
Learn more about common workplace hazards
Frequently asked questions
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and prepare the documentation necessary to win your case.
If you’re experiencing the following, it’s best to get advice if:
Your claim was rejected, denied or partially accepted
Your injury is likely to be ongoing or permanent
Your employer is pressuring you to return to work, has dismissed you or treated you unfairly since lodging your claim
You're not being paid correctly
Your employer's insurer won't pay for treatment or is taking too long to respond to requests
Your payments have been cut off
If your claim is rejected, you can still appeal the outcome. It’s important to seek legal advice so you can understand your options.
WorkCover claims or workers compensation claims typically seek benefits for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs to support your recovery.
Common law claims require proving that another party, such as your employer, was negligent and responsible for your injury. Successful claims demonstrate that your employer failed to prevent a reasonably foreseeable accident, resulting in significant harm.
Common law claims typically result in significantly higher payouts than WorkCover claims. They offer broader protection by covering pain and suffering, as well as economic losses (including past and future earnings), which are not included in WorkSafe claims.
Some examples of common law claims we’ve settled include:
A 54-year-old worker brought a common law claim for pain and suffering and loss of earnings, totaling $600,000 after he was unable to return to pre-injury duties which involved repetitive actions and heavy lifting.
A factory worker slipped and was injured due to an unsafe work environment, leading to two failed back surgeries and a knee surgery. Slater and Gordon secured the worker a payment of $525,000.
A young female prison guard suffered psychological injuries following sexual harassment and discrimination by her peers. We secured her a payment of $300,000.
A worker suffered a severe workplace injury when a heavy item fell onto them while stocking shelves, resulting in a payment of $175,000 for chronic pain.
If you decide to pursue a common law claim, a lawyer can help gather evidence, build your case, and navigate the legal complexities to help secure additional compensation for pain and suffering.
Your WorkCover claim got rejected?
If your claim is rejected, you can still appeal the outcome. Contact us to understand your options.