Welcome to WorkCover

Lamp, The, April, 2008

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Workers' Compensation is a big budget production but it needn't be a horror story if you have someone who knows the ropes.

You need to become familiar with the main characters and their roles. They may include all or any of the following:

CASE MANAGER

Appointed by your employer's insurance company to look after all elements of your claim, from start to finish.

NOMINATED TREATING DOCTOR

Nominated by you to look after your injury and return-to-work activities. You must have one if you are going to be off work for more than seven days.

INJURY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

A WorkCover-approved Registered Medical Practitioner who assists you, your employer, the insurer and the nominated treating doctor to agree on things like treatments and suitable duties.

REHABILITATION PROVIDER

WorkCover-accredited organisations that provide return-to-work services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling, nursing and psychological services.

RETURN-TO-WORK COORDINATOR

A key person in the process, employed by your employer, who identifies your needs and liases with the employer, insurer, health professionals and you to implement a return-to-work plan.

REHABILITATION CASE MANAGER

Appointed by the rehab provider to manage your return-to-work activities.

INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINER

Carries out independent examinations on the referral of your employer, the insurer or your representative. Provides opinions on your condition, treatment, rehabilitation and compensation entitlements. They cannot treat you or offer to treat you as a patient but, if referred, you must attend.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION--A SNAPSHOT

Nearly 2% of NSW workers suffer 'major' workplace injuries every year. In 2005/2006, WorkCover registered 141,240 employment injuries, including 146 deaths.

It paid out on 44,013 claims, a 12% reduction on 2004/2005 but still 15.4 cases for every 1000 workers in the state.

In 2005/06 WorkCover paid more than $54 million on 3,852 claims from people in health services. Four hundred and twenty workers from the sector were listed as permanently disabled.

The New South Wales Workers' Compensation Scheme provides injured people with compensation for some lost earnings and also pays medical and, where necessary, vocational rehabilitation expenses.

In 2005/2006 that bill was more than $850 million.