What the scheme covers
- Weekly payments — a portion of your wages while you cannot work or can only work reduced hours;
- Medical and treatment expenses — hospital, physio, medication, rehabilitation and travel;
- Domestic assistance where your injury requires it;
- Lump sum compensation if you are left with a permanent impairment;
- In the worst cases, support for dependants.
The scheme covers injuries from workplace accidents, illnesses caused or aggravated by work, injuries on work journeys in many cases, and psychological injuries — which are real injuries under the scheme, not second-class claims.
What to do after an injury
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and make sure it is recorded;
- See your doctor and get a certificate of capacity;
- Keep copies of everything the insurer sends you — especially any decision notices.
If the insurer says no
Insurers dispute liability, cut off weekly payments, and decline treatment more often than most workers expect. These decisions are not the end of the road: they can be reviewed and challenged, with strict timeframes attached. Because IRO funding generally covers your legal costs in these disputes, there is no good reason to face the insurer alone.
Permanent impairment
If your injury leaves lasting damage, you may be entitled to a lump sum based on your degree of permanent impairment — assessed by an independent medical examiner. Getting the assessment right matters enormously; we prepare these claims carefully and challenge low assessments.