Injured workers may be able to stay on workers compensation in Queensland for up to 5 years in cases involving catastrophic injury, or extremely severe illness. Ordinarily however a workers compensation claim will come to a close once your injuries reach maximum medical improvement sometime at 12 – 18 months post injury. In this article we provide an overview of how long you can stay on workers compensation, when you should report an injury and when you should submit a claim.
Reasons your workers compensation weekly payments may stop
There are four main reasons your workers compensation may end in Queensland. These include:
- You return to work and are no longer unable to work due to your injury
- Your injuries reach maximum medical improvement (become stable and stationary), you’re assessed as having suffered a permanent impairment and receive a lump-sum offer
- You’ve been receiving weekly payments for five years
- Your total weekly compensation reaches the maximum amount payable
When should I report a workplace injury?
While it can take some time to get your head around an injury, it’s important to seek medical attention and report it to your employer as soon as possible. This is to prevent your claim from becoming more difficult. If you leave it a few days, it can be argued that your injury occurred outside of work, making it harder to substantiate your claim.
Getting medical attention is paramount for your own wellbeing, but it’s also important to note that with WorkCover you will receive support from the date your doctor first assessed your injury and confirms that it was consistent with having been sustained at work. So, the sooner you seek medical attention the better for your personal wellbeing and your potential compensation claim.
When should I lodge my workers compensation claim?
Starting your workers compensation claim as soon as possible will make sure you can maintain financial stability. On top of this, in Queensland, strict time limits apply to workplace injury claims.
Once your health has been taken care of and you’ve told your employer, we’d recommend talking to an experienced lawyer to determine if you’re entitled to compensation. At Gouldson, we will review your eligibility for workers compensation with no fee or obligation. If you’re past the time limit, our lawyers can also help you determine if you’re still able to pursue a claim.
Need help starting or managing your workers compensation?
We’re here to support you through your workplace injury or illness with experienced legal advice delivered by a down-to-earth team. If you’re not sure how long your workers compensation will last, or you’d like to find out whether you’re eligible for a new claim, get in touch with our team for an obligation-free discussion.