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March 1, 2024 • 2 min read
Injured at Work? Here's What You Should Do Next
Knowing how to handle work-related incidents and injuries is crucial in the workplace.
Work-related incidents can occur at any workplace. Knowing how to manage them is therefore crucial to containing the damage and optimising the chances of a fast recovery turnaround.
Follow these steps and utilise the resources available to navigate the aftermath of a workplace injury with confidence and support.
Step 1: Inform Your Employer
- Immediately notify your employer if you sustain an injury at work.
- Employers must inform their insurer within 48 hours of becoming aware of your injury.
- For severe injuries, employers must also report to SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50.
- Prompt notification secures your rights and starts the support process.
Step 2: Consult a Doctor
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Obtain a certificate of capacity from your doctor, outlining your medical condition and any necessary work restrictions or adjustments.
- This certificate is crucial for your employer to communicate with their insurer about your condition and plan your return to work or adjustments to your role.
Step 3: Focus on Recovery at Work
- If possible, staying at work or planning a return to work can aid your recovery.
- SIRA highlights the importance of “return-to-work” plan, requiring employers to provide suitable duties accommodating your medical restrictions.
- This approach maintains normalcy and financial stability during recovery.
Making a Worker’s Compensation Claim
- If injured, you have the right to make a worker’s compensation claim to cover medical expenses and provide weekly payments for time off work due to your injury.
- Initiate a claim by discussing your situation with your employer’s insurer, who will guide you through the process and explain the benefits available.
Key Contacts for Assistance
- Your Employer or Return to Work Coordinator: First contact for discussing your injury, work adjustments, and the claims process.
- Your Employer’s Workers Compensation Insurer: Handles your claim, approves treatments, and manages financial compensations.
Legal Requirements for Employers
- Your Employer or Return to Work Coordinator: First contact for discussing your injury, work adjustments, and the claims process.
- Your Employer’s Workers Compensation Insurer: Handles your claim, approves treatments, and manages financial compensations.
Time Limits for Claiming
Workers typically have a maximum of six (6) months from the date of injury (or death) to submit a claim for workers compensation.
However, there are exceptions to this time limit, such as circumstances involving absence from the state or honest mistakes.
Additionally, special arrangements exist for cases where injuries are discovered long after the incident.
Understanding these time limits and the claiming process is crucial for both employers and workers to ensure compliance with legal requirements and facilitate a smooth claims process.
Alternative Solutions for Workers
A worker who believes that their employer has failed to notify their insurer of a workplace injury or illness can reach out to IRO at 139 IRO (139 476) for help. The worker can also contact the insurer directly and report the incident.
Any worker who feels their workplace is unsafe can report their concerns anonymously to SafeWork NSW via the Speak Up Save Lives app. Including photographs can help SafeWork identify any other potential risks and hazards.
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