Return to Work Not As Easy As They Say

We have sent a letter to the Advertiser in response to an “Advertiser Feature” commissioned by a WorkCover SA’s claims agent about South Australia’s new Return to Work Scheme.

The feature contained misinformation that has already confused some of our clients, so we wanted to set the record straight.

Dear Editor,

Re: “Return to Work made easy” Advertising feature Business Journal pg 33 31/3/15

The Advertising Feature published in The Advertiser yesterday (31/3/15) contained several gross errors of fact regarding the new scheme, and almost made it sound comforting for injured workers.

The suggestion that “… income support will include payments based on weekly earnings at the time of the injury until retirement age, a lump sum payment for non-economic loss and lifetime payment of reasonable medical expenses” is just incorrect. The only injured workers who will be entitled to weekly payments until retirement age and medical expenses for life are those who are assessed as being ‘seriously injured’, meaning a 30% Whole Person Impairment has been assessed. That is very few workers.  Every other worker will have a maximum of two years payments and three years medical treatment before being cut off the system and left to fend for themselves, regardless of their injury/ies.

Links:

How will injured workers really be impacted by the new laws? Read some of our recent blogs.

I had a WorkCover claim, How am I affected by the new laws?

Will I still receive payments now the WorkCover laws have changed?

Workers Compensation Survival Kit – Part 8

InDaily: WorkCover and the great silence

If nothing else, this should convince you of the importance of seeking legal advice about your workers compensation matter! Contact us for a free initial interview.