Workers Compensation Lawyers Townsville
Expert Townsville workers' compensation and WorkCover claim lawyers. We specialise in all Queensland workplace personal injury claims, including those resulting from accidents involving machinery, falls, repetitive strain and workplace hazards. Free initial advice, no upfront costs, and 100% risk-free workers’ compensation claims with our No Win, No Fee, No Catch® promise.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury at work in Townsville or somewhere else in Queensland due to someone else's fault or workplace conditions, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
On average, there are almost 2,000 claims made in Townsville every year, with payouts in the region of $11,000.
For thousands of Aussies, a sudden work injury can leave them in real financial distress, with medical bills and lost wages taking their toll. A workers' compensation claim could help ease this burden and assist with recovery costs, lost income and other expenses related to your workplace injury.
Are you a Townsville employee? Either WorkCover Queensland or your employer's workers' compensation insurer can cover your work-related injury claims. You may also be entitled to a ‘common law’ claim for a tax-free lump sum compensation settlement.
As expert compensation lawyers based in Townsville, we handle all cases with no upfront costs or financial risks under our No Win, No Fee, No Catch® promise. You won't be billed until we successfully secure compensation.
Know your rights. Contact our lawyers in Townsville today for a free, no-obligation workers' compensation claims check.
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Rights to Compensation for Injured Workers in Townsville or Queensland
If you’ve had an accident at work in Townsville or somewhere else in Queensland, there are two types of claims you can make: statutory and common law.
Statutory Claims via Workcover Queensland (Or Your Employer’s Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provider)
Statutory claims are made on a no-fault basis, allowing workers to claim compensation regardless of who was at fault.
They provide benefits such as weekly payments for lost wages, medical and rehabilitation expenses and lump sums for permanent impairment.
To make a statutory claim, workers must notify their employer, obtain a WorkCover medical certificate and lodge a workers’ compensation claim with WorkCover Queensland.
Common Law Claims
To succeed in a claim, a worker must demonstrate that their employer or another party was negligent and that this negligence caused or contributed to their workplace injury, often with the assistance of experienced compensation lawyers.
Common law compensation can include damages for pain and suffering, past and future loss of income, medical expenses and legal costs.
When Should I Consult With Workers’ Compensation Lawyers?
Seek legal advice as soon as possible after an accident so you can fully understand your legal options, time limits and rights, as well as any workers’ compensation schemes you may be entitled to claim.
It’s especially important to consult a personal injury specialist before accepting any lump sum offers from WorkCover, as accepting such offers may forfeit your right to pursue further claims.
Experts in our Sunshine Coast office can help you understand your options and what financial assistance may be available.
Townsville is known for its unparalleled access to nature as well as being home to the country’s largest army barracks. That doesn’t mean workers are any less likely to experience an injury. Generally, the most common injuries in the area reflect what is happening nationally. Here are a few things to look out for:
- Sprains, strains, or dislocations are the most common, accounting for 29% of all workplace injuries in Australia in 2022.
- Chronic joint or muscle conditions make up 20% of workplace injuries, often resulting from repetitive strain or prolonged physical activity.
- Cuts and open wounds account for 13% of workplace injuries and are common in environments where sharp tools or machinery are used.
- Fractures are also significant, contributing to a notable portion of workers’ compensation claims.
- Mental health conditions like stress and anxiety are increasingly recognized, accounting for around 6.5% of workplace injuries.
Townsville has several industries that face particularly high risks for worker injuries.
- Health care: Dealing directly with patients and equipment and constantly lifting and moving them can cause workers to develop repetitive strain injuries over time.
- Manufacturing: This sector often involves working with dangerous machinery and performing demanding manual tasks. These can easily lead to potential injuries if safety protocols aren't followed.
- Construction: Building sites pose inherent risks, from working at height to handling deliveries from HGVs. When negligence occurs, injuries in construction can be some of the most severe.
- Retail trade: Busy shops can often result in injured staff. From not being trained in the proper technique to lift heavy boxes to tripping on misplaced stock.
- Transport, postal and warehousing: With the growth of online shopping, warehouses and the postal service are busier than ever. Injuries can easily occur when staff aren’t trained properly, or corners are cut.
If you work in these industries, it’s a good idea to be aware of potential hazards and understand your rights. If you think you’ve been injured and it wasn’t your fault, you should consider speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can advise you on compensation law.
Unsurprisingly, the leading cause of workplace injuries in Townsville is body stressing: pulling, pushing, lifting and bending. This makes up around a third of all claims in the area.
Other common causes include:
- Falls, slips and trips are the second most common injuries making up 19% of Townsville claims. Wet floors and trips from misplaced equipment are often to blame.
- Being hit by moving objects is a risk for those in the construction industry due to heavy machinery and equipment constantly moving. It’s responsible for 18% of claims.
- Hitting objects with part of the body accounts for 12% of workplace injuries in Townsville and could include hitting the head off a low ceiling.
- Vehicle incidents make up just under 10% of all claims. This can include being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
No one expects to fall victim to these accidents until they do – so it’s always worthwhile to take precautions, no matter what industry you work in. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and plan for things like future medical expenses.
Lawyers in our Townsville office offer a free claim assessment.
Workers Accident Claim Process in Townsville and Queensland
Here are the usual steps in Queensland WorkCover and workers' compensation claims:
If you think you may have a claim, we will arrange a no-obligation appointment at your home, our offices, or via phone to explain everything in more detail, evaluate the case, and discuss potential outcomes. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are experts in work injury compensation.
Your appointed workers’ compensation lawyers will gather evidence and investigate the circumstances of the workplace accident, collecting evidence to prove employer negligence. They will also ensure that the essential first steps, such as lodging a WorkCover statutory claim, have been completed.
A Notice of Claim is lodged against the employer's insurer (normally WorkCover Queensland), outlining the details of the injury and the negligence claim.
Your personal injury lawyers will lodge a notice of claim and negotiate on your behalf with the liable parties, typically with their insurance companies (or their legal representatives), such as WorkCover QLD, for workplace accidents.
Negotiations with the insurance company aim to reach a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
Most cases are settled out of court in an office-based meeting involving you, your personal injury lawyers and a barrister they have engaged in leading the negotiations with the legal representatives of the at-fault party's insurer.
In the unlikely event that a settlement cannot be negotiated out of court, proceedings can proceed to court. In most agreements, you could be liable for the other side's legal expenses if your case is unsuccessful in court.
Smith’s Lawyers' No Win, No Fee, No Catch® promise protects you from this risk and means you cannot be out of pocket for legal services.
If your claim is successful, you will receive a lump-sum tax-free compensation settlement. The compensation amount received will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injury, any impact on your earning capacity and any medical expenses incurred.
Remember: Your claim may involve more steps than this. This is a general guide to give you an idea of what could happen. Smith’s expert workers’ compensation lawyers can provide you with free and no-obligation advice on your rights.
How Are Workers’ Compensation Claim Payouts Calculated?
The amount of compensation awarded for a work-related injury in Queensland is determined by several factors, which can be broadly categorised into statutory compensation and common law damages.
Statutory Compensation
A WorkCover claim is the first step in all workers' compensation cases in Queensland. It covers immediate medical costs and lost wages. You need this claim even if you're planning to pursue further compensation through a common law claim.
Degree of Permanent Impairment (DPI): The primary factor in determining lump sum compensation is the degree of permanent impairment, assessed using the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (GEPI). The higher the DPI, the larger the lump sum compensation.
Weekly payments: Compensation for lost wages is calculated based on the worker's Normal Weekly Earnings (NWE) or Queensland full-time adult ordinary time earnings (QOTE), depending on the length of the claim and the worker's employment status.
Medical and rehabilitation expenses: All reasonable medical, surgical and hospital expenses related to the injury are covered, along with rehabilitation costs and necessary travel expenses for medical treatment.
Duration of incapacity: The length of time the worker is unable to work due to the injury affects the total amount of weekly compensation paid.
Common Law Claims via a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
A common law claim allows you to seek extra compensation if your injury resulted from your employer's negligence – but only after your WorkCover claim has been accepted.
This extra compensation can help to cover expenses like:
- Economic loss. This includes past and future loss of earnings due to the injury. The calculation considers the worker's pre-injury earnings and potential future earnings, adjusted for factors like age and career prospects.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering is calculated using the Injury Scale Value (ISV), which assigns points based on the severity and duration of the injury. These points are then converted into a monetary value.
- Medical and hospital costs. Similar to statutory claims, common law claims can include compensation for ongoing medical and hospital expenses.
- Legal costs. If the worker pursues a common law claim, they may also be awarded compensation for legal expenses incurred during the process.
Our experts are here to assist throughout the entire process, from getting your WorkCover claim accepted to seeking extra compensation.
Additional Considerations
- Age and career impact: Younger workers may receive higher compensation due to the long-term impact of mental or physical injuries on their career and earning capacity.
- Severity and type of injury: More severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or amputations, typically result in higher compensation due to their significant impact on the worker's life and ability to work.
- Employer negligence: In common law claims, proving employer negligence can significantly increase the compensation awarded, as it allows for damages beyond the statutory limits.
The compensation process in Queensland aims to balance fair benefits for injured workers with reasonable costs for employers, ensuring that workers receive appropriate support and financial relief following a work-related injury.
Get expert advice: As qualified workers’ compensation lawyers, we can carefully assess all these factors, advocate on your behalf and fight for fair compensation. Smith's Lawyers team will explain your rights, the personal injury claim, time limits and how our risk-free promise ensures no legal fees unless your case is successful.
Workers Compensation Claim Time Limits
Strict time limits apply. Generally, you have three years from the date the injury occurred. However, the initial stages required to run personal injury claims are required earlier than this.
For work-related injuries in Queensland, you have:
- Six months from when the entitlement to compensation arises (this is usually when the injury occurs or the day on which the individual is assessed by a doctor) to lodge a workers’ compensation claim with WorkCover Queensland (or your employer's workers' compensation insurer if self-insured). This is an essential first step for all cases, regardless of fault.
- Three years from the date of the accident/injury to start court proceedings for a common law claim. These claims can be run in addition to a standard WorkCover claim where the negligence of your employer or another party caused or contributed to your accident and injuries.
It's also worth noting there are exceptions. For instance, for victims under 18, this three-year period doesn't start until their 18th birthday.
These time frames might seem like a lot of time, but setting your claim into motion can be a complex process with many legal requirements to navigate.
Seek legal advice: At Smith’s Lawyers, our team can help you understand these time limits and ensure you don't miss your chance for a claim. We offer Queensland-wide service with free and no-obligation case reviews. Our No Win, No Fee, No Catch® promise means you have nothing to lose in seeking your rightful compensation.
Workers Compensation Lawyers Townsville
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Work Accident Lawyer Townsville FAQs
If you've been in a Townsville work accident, seek immediate medical attention to prioritise your health. Inform your employer about the injury promptly, providing all relevant details. Document the incident thoroughly, noting the time, location, and any witnesses, and take photos if possible. Obtain a Work Capacity Certificate from your doctor outlining your injury and any necessary time off work.
Next, submit a WorkCover claim with all required medical evidence. Follow up with medical appointments, keep detailed records of every medical treatment and expense, and consult a work injury lawyer for legal advice. Finally, participate in any recommended rehabilitation programs to support your recovery and safe return to work.
Yes. In Queensland, you can claim workers' compensation for an injury sustained while travelling to and from work, known as a ‘journey claim.’ These claims are covered under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 and are generally no-fault, meaning you do not need to prove that someone else was at fault for the injury. However, your claim may be denied if you were engaging in unlawful activities, made significant deviations from your usual route, or experienced major delays unrelated to your employment during the journey.
Workers' compensation and Workcover common law claims in Townsville typically take around 18 months. However, several factors can influence the timeframe. This can include disputes over who caused the accident (liability), the severity of your workplace injuries and how long it takes for them to stabilise. Personal injury law experts can help navigate these complexities.
The vast majority of work accident compensation claims are settled without the need to go to court. Here's why:
- Queensland's legal system requires a ‘compulsory conference.’ This is a structured meeting between you, your lawyer, the insurer, and their lawyer. The goal is to reach a settlement agreement without a formal court trial. Most cases are successfully resolved at or shortly after the compulsory conference.
- If a settlement can't be reached, going to court may be necessary. However, Smith's Lawyers' No Win, No Fee, No Catch® promise protects you financially. If your case is unsuccessful in court, you won't be liable for the other side's legal expenses. We take on that risk.
Get expert advice today
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Disclaimer: This information is designed for general information in relation to Queensland compensation law. It does not constitute legal advice. We strongly recommend you seek legal advice in regards to your specific situation. For help understanding your rights, please call 1800 960 482 or request a free case review to talk to one of our lawyers today.