Workers Compensation Claims for Bullying and Harassment are on the rise.
Did you know that the Central Coast has the second highest number of Workers Compensation Claims in NSW for psychological injuries, the second highest for back injuries and the fourth highest for should injuries. These figures have been released by the Workers Compensation Commission through WIRO (Workers Compensation Independent Review Office).
Psychological claims are often a result of bullying and harassment in the work place and a workers compensation claim can be made for a psychological injury. If a person has been receiving counselling/assistance/treatment from a Doctor, Psychologist/Psychiatrist or Counsellor, WIRO will generally cover all the costs (including legal costs) of a person to be medically assessed to determine their permanent impairment arising from the bullying and/or harassment.
Following the determination of that impairment in the Workers Compensation Commission, a person may in addition to a lump sum amount, be entitled to loss of income from the date of injury to retiring age.
One of our former clients had an award made in her favour for in excess of $500,000 arising from bullying and harassment she suffered in the work place.
In most cases the Workers Compensation Insurer will reject liability when a person alleges a psychological injury for whatever reason. Notwithstanding this, WIRO will generally support a person to be medically examined to determine the level of impairment. So if you believe you may be affected by bullying and harassment in the work place, to the extent that you have a psychological injury, you should always seek legal advice as you may have an entitlement to significant.
If you would like to find out where you stand in relation to a psychological or physical injury call Peter Moore, Compensation Lawyer of Brazel Moore Lawyers on (02) 4324 7699.