University of Western Australia Workers Compensation

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University of Western Australia Workers
Compensation
Averil Riley Senior Occupational
Therapist B.App Sc (O.T) Grad Dip OHS, MHRM
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Workers Compensation Statistics 2003

• 275 reported incidences/injuries
• 89 accepted claims
• Very few result in permanent disability, majority
  recover.
• Even fewer go through common law.

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Types of Injuries

• 22 (20) Manual handling injuries
• 18 (16) Slips, trips and falls
• 13 (12) Needlestick and sharps
• 10 ( 9) Occupational overuse
• Other

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Lost Time Injures 2003

• 28 Lost time injuries.
• 13 required less than 5 days lost.
• 15 resulted in more than 5 days lost.
• 12 more than 10 days lost.
• 5 resulted in more than 20 days lost.
• 3 resulted in more than 50 days lost.
• 1 resulted in over 100 days lost.

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Workers Compensation Claim Procedure

• Injury occurs.
• Seek first aid, if applicable.
• If major injury ring 2222 for ambulance 3938 for
  immediate reporting

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Workers Compensation Claim Procedure

• Contact Departmental Safety Officer (DSO) or
  Safety Health Rep (SHR)
• Complete a Confidential Incident / Injury Report
  Form

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Workers Compensation Claim Procedure

• Fax First page to SHO 6488 1179. DSO to
  complete second page and forward to
  SHO
• Workers' Compensation forms will
• be forwarded to HOD.
• Employee 2B Form to be completed by injured
  employee
• Witness Statement.
• Employers Form

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Workers Compensation Claim Procedure

• Supervisor forwards completed forms and Workers
  Compensation First medical certificate to SHO.
• SHO will submit forms to the University's
  insurer.
• Insurer notifies employee of the status of their
  claim within 2 weeks.

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Workers Compensation Claim Procedure

• Every medical visit requires a Workers
  Compensation Medical Certificate.
• Medical certificates, invoices and prescription
  receipts are to be forwarded to SHO via
  supervisor.

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Workers Compensation Claim Procedure

• Rehabilitation assistance is available where
  necessary.
• Finalisation of the Claim
• Recovery no further treatment.
• A final Workers Compensation Medical Certificate
  submittedor
• Settlement agreed upon.

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How do we Differ?

• Dedicated resources-
• Senior Occupational Therapist
• Insurance Manager
• Access to on site injury management services-
• UWA Medical Centre
• Physiotherapist
• Employee Assistance Program
• Human Movement Functional Rehabilitation Unit

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Workers Compensation Payments
The cap is not applied.
The drop down in wages after 4 weeks lost time is
not applied.

Leave entitlements continue to accrue.

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What to Expect
UWA has a strong culture of supporting injured
workers return to work.

External vocational rehabilitation providers
-Workfocus, CRS Australia, Active Injury
Management.

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Senior O.Ts role

• Liaise with all involved parties.

• Provide advice.

• Monitor progress (receive copies of progress
  certificates)

• Arrange referral to external vocational
  rehabilitation if required.

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Specific Types of Claims - Management

• Claims for musculo-skeletal disorders
  specialist opinion required.

• Claims for stress or bullying Insurer will
  appoint an investigator.

Balance between being user friendly but
recognizing legal implications - significant
liability could be at stake.
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Role of CGU UWAs Workers Compensation Insurer

• Claims management.
• Make decisions regarding acceptance or denial of
  claims in accordance to the Act.
• Notify injured worker of decisions.
• Arrange Specialist reviews.
• Provide internal dispute resolution service.
• Represent the employer at Conciliation/Review (at
  WorkCover).

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Supervisors Role

• Support the injured worker.
• Read and understand medical certificates Liaise
  with the Dr directly if needing clarification.
• Provide modified or alternative duties.
• Document duties what the staff member should
  and should not be doing.
• Be a role model support other workers.
  Maintain confidentiality.

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Contact for Assistance

• If needing assistance contact the Senior
  Occupational Therapist
• ext 2784.