A permanent impairment assessment in South Australia is one of the most important stages of a workers compensation claim. 

For many injured workers, this assessment determines whether they qualify for lump sum compensation under the Return to Work Act 2014 (SA). Because you are generally entitled to only one assessment, mistakes at this stage can permanently affect your outcome. 

As experienced workers compensation lawyers in South Australia, we regularly see workers attend assessments without fully understanding what is at stake. 

Below are some of the most common errors, and how they can impact your entitlements. 

Failing to Include All Injuries in Your Workers Compensation Claim 

Your Whole Person Impairment (WPI) percentage is based only on injuries that have been formally claimed and accepted by the insurer. 

Many workers focus on their primary injury but overlook other injuries that developed as a result of the original workplace accident. These are known as consequential injuries. If they are not properly lodged and accepted before your permanent impairment assessment in SA, they will not be included. 

Because you generally only receive one permanent impairment assessment, leaving out injuries can significantly reduce your overall WPI percentage. This may mean you fall below the required threshold for lump sum workers compensation in South Australia.

Not Carefully Considering the Choice of Accredited Assessor

When undergoing a permanent impairment assessment in South Australia, you must select an assessor from the accredited list. 

While all assessors are qualified, experience in your specific injury type can be important, especially in complex matters involving multiple injuries, spinal injuries or psychological injuries. 

The choice of assessor can influence how your impairment is assessed under the legislative guidelines. For this reason, the decision should not be rushed. Seeking advice from a workers compensation lawyer in Adelaide or South Australia before making your selection can be critical. 

A Practical Example: How Missing an Injury Can Affect Lump Sum Compensation 

Emma suffers a left knee injury at work. Her workers’ compensation claim is accepted. 

Several months later, she is ready to proceed with her permanent impairment assessment. In the weeks leading up to the appointment, Emma develops pain in her right hip. She suspects it may be due to overcompensating for her injured knee. 

Emma does not lodge a claim for the hip injury. Instead, she proceeds with her assessment based only on her left knee. 

The assessor determines her left knee impairment at 4% WPI. 

Under the Return to Work Act 2014 (SA), a worker must generally reach at least 5% Whole Person Impairment to qualify for lump sum compensation (higher thresholds apply in some circumstances). 

Because Emma’s assessment falls below the 5% threshold, she is not entitled to lump sum compensation. 

If she had lodged a claim for her right hip before the assessment – and if that injury had been accepted – it would have been included. When combined, the impairments may have exceeded the threshold, entitling her to lump sum compensation in South Australia. 

Proper preparation and early advice from a workers’ compensation lawyer in Adelaide may have led to a different outcome. 

Why Legal Advice Before a Permanent Impairment Assessment Matters 

A permanent impairment assessment is final. Once it is completed, it cannot simply be revisited because something was overlooked. 

The decisions made before attending the assessment, including whether all injuries have been claimed, whether the timing is appropriate, and which assessor is selected, can directly affect whether you qualify for lump sum workers’ compensation in SA. 

Before proceeding with your assessment, we recommend obtaining legal advice to ensure: 

• All relevant injuries (including consequential injuries) are properly claimed and accepted 

• The timing of the assessment is appropriate 

• You understand the applicable WPI thresholds 

• Your entitlement to lump sum compensation is properly protected. 

Speak to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Adelaide 

If you are approaching a permanent impairment assessment in South Australia and are unsure about timing, additional injuries or assessor selection, seeking legal advice before you proceed can make a significant difference. 

Our experienced workers compensation lawyers in Adelaide and across South Australia can review your claim, identify any risks, and guide you through the permanent impairment process to help secure the best possible outcome. 

Contact TGB Lawyers today for a free initial discussion about your workers compensation claim, or complete this brief online form and a member of our team will be in touch.