Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that can pay the wages and medical costs of employees who have been injured due to their employment.
WorkCover Queensland is the exclusive provider of accident insurance for work-related injuries in Queensland, with the exception of self-insurers. WorkCover Queensland will work with you, your employer and medical practitioners to help you recover from the injury.
Claims- see your doctor and get a workers’ compensation medical certificate
- tell your employer about your injury and provide them with a copy of the medical certificate
- lodge your claim with WorkCover Queensland
- keep copies of all documents relating to your injury and claim.
There are 2 types of claims:
- statutory (no-fault) claims
- common law claims (where the employee seeks common law action through the courts against their employer).
All claims made in Queensland first need to be lodged as a statutory (no-fault) claim.
Statutory claimsFor statutory claims, compensation is paid regardless of who was at fault for causing the injury.
Payments and benefits (known as statutory compensation) received for these claims may include:
- weekly payments as income replacement
- lump sums to compensate for permanent impairment
- hospital and medical expenses.
Common law claimsCommon law claims involve an injured worker suing their employer for negligence.
Generally, a common law claim can only proceed after a statutory claim has been lodged, and then accepted by WorkCover Queensland or the relevant self-insurer. A common law claim may only proceed when WorkCover Queensland or the self-insurer issues a notice of assessment of injury.
The courts may award payments (known as common law damages) for:
- economic loss
- pain and suffering
- legal costs
- medical and hospital costs.
More informationContact WorkCover Queensland on 1300 362 128 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am–5.30pm) for more information on workers’ compensation matters, including:
Keep workingGetting back to work—sometimes doing lighter duties can reduce your financial and emotional stress, and plays a vital role in your injury rehabilitation.