Blog Layout
Wonders of Workers' Compensation
Sep 11, 2023
The workers compensation system can be a challenging, and often daunting, space to traverse for those affected by an injury and even seasoned professionals who live and breathe all things workers compensation. Below are a series of questions or statements I have received from patients or from people who have received an injury or not yet in the system.
Where do I begin?
- Seek immediate first aid treatment and report the incident to your employer.
- See a doctor to discuss the injury with them and ask for a “First Certificate of Capacity”.
- Fill out a “Workers’ Compensation Form” (link in resources)
- Make a copy of each form and hand the original to your employer.
- Your employer has 5 working days to complete the section of the form relevant to them and lodge it with their insurer.
- The Insurer then has 14 days to review the claim and will inform you if the claim is accepted, disputed or pending.
What does each claim status mean?
- Accepted – you will receive wage compensation and compensation for reasonable treatment.
- Disputed - You will be informed as to why it is disputed. If you disagree you can ask for the claim to be reassessed. If you still disagree you can with the outcome, you can raise this further with the Workers’ Compensation Conciliation Service.
- Pending – The insurer is requiring further information. They have 10 days to acquire this information and reach a decision. If 10 days passes it defaults to the status of disputed.
Can you only claim physical injuries?
- Not at all! Psychological injuries are less common and harder to diagnose, however the avenue is there to pursue if your mental health has been affected. This can include scenarios such as a workplace bullying or stress from being overworked.
- Additionally, there are unique circumstances where hearing loss or asbestos related diseases can be compensated.
I am worried about my future employment. If I declare my injury, they won’t hire me, right?
- A common concern from many patients, and rightly so when it could affect your livelihood. A workplace does not have the right to ask you whether you have received or filed for a works’ compensation claim in the past. Nor are you under an obligation to disclose this to them.
- Your employer does have the right to know about any injuries or other medical conditions that may impact your role.
- Essentially, they cannot discriminate against you for having been in the works’ compensation system, however you have to be able to perform the requirements of the role you are applying for.
I don’t want to keep taking money while not working, I’m thinking about closing my claim and just pushing through the pain.
- To some people they can feel like a burden while not working and receiving compensation. You are not! An injury as the result of an accident or the workplace environment is not necessarily your fault. You are entitled to compensation you are receiving.
- Receiving and completing treatment prescribed to you to get you back to full function is extremely important for yourself and your employer. In a way you can view performing your prescribed exercises or other treatments as your temporary job role and that is what you are doing to earn your wage.
I am concerned about returning to full duties and hours. I have not worked a full day in months.
- It can be daunting going from attending appointments and conducting treatment at home, to returning to a full work week. We understand this and if appropriate someone known as a Vocational Rehabilitation Provider (Voc) can be brought onboard. This will be done in a gradual manner over a period of time, so you won’t become overwhelmed.
- A Voc’s role is to assist with developing a return-to-work plan. They will attempt to have this take place at your worksite on lighter or alternate duties and gradually increase your hours and the intensity of your duties over time.
Recourses
- Workcover WA Website: https://www.workcover.wa.gov.au/
- Workcover phone number: 1300 794 744
- Workers’ Compensation Form: https://www.workcover.wa.gov.au/resources/forms-publications/worker-forms/#claimform
- Workers’ Compensation Conciliation Service: https://www.workcover.wa.gov.au/resolving-a-dispute/workers-compensation-conciliation-service/
Cameron Addison
Workers Compensation Specialist (AEP, ESSAM)
Exercise Rehabilitation Services – WA
The human body is designed to move in a three-dimensional plane divided into the following segments: Sagittal Plane: Cuts the body into left and right halves. Forward and backward movements. Frontal Plane: Cuts the body into front and back halves. Side to side movements. Transverse Plane: Cuts the body into top and bottom halves. Twisting/rotational movements. Too often we get caught training mostly in a sagittal plane, think running, squats, bicep curls etc. While these are all good exercises, in day-to-day life we don’t only move along a sagittal plane. What happens when you need to quickly get out of the way of the e-scooter flying towards you on the foot path or make a quick sidestep to avoid a pothole – these movements are along the frontal plane. While movements such as turning to check your blind spot while driving or turning to talk to the person next to us are in the transverse plane. When it comes to injury prevention and movement efficiency it is important to incorporate exercises from all planes of movement into training programs. Sagittal If a line ran down the middle of the body splitting it from left to right, movements parallel to this line are within the sagittal plane of movement. The sagittal plane is the most common plane of movement and is trained overwhelming more than the frontal and transverse planes of movement. Movements/exercises considered to be in the sagittal plane include running, squats, deadlifts and bicep curls. Now while all these exercises are good, with the way our lives having evolved into many desk sitting roles, driving from place to place etc, to then go to the gym and focus heavily on movements that are predominantly up – down, and forwards – backwards we can end up reinforcing these pathways and becoming somewhat robotic, heavily limiting our natural movements. Frontal If a line ran down the middle of the body splitting it into front and back, movements parallel to this line would be within the frontal plane of movement – essentially any movement that involves moving away from or towards the midline. Often neglected in strength programs, frontal plane exercises include Cossack squats, lateral lunges, and side raises. Transverse If a line split the body in half separating it into top and bottom with the pelvis being the point of division, any movement parallel to this line would be considered to be in the transverse plane of movement. Movement along/through a transverse plane is generally more rotational such as a Russian twist or trunk twist. By focussing largely on sagittal plane movements, we are risking developing muscle imbalances, limited mobility and uncoordinated movements in the neglected planes. Our body is designed to move on a 3-dimensional plane so make sure to train in a way that will allow it to move the way it’s supposed to. Katie McGrath Injury Prevention Specialist Injury Prevention Services
Stretching and mobility exercises are indispensable components of both injury prevention and recovery strategies. Incorporating dynamic stretches before physical activity can help prepare the body for movement by increasing blood flow to muscles and enhancing joint flexibility. This dynamic warm-up routine primes the muscles and connective tissues, reducing the risk of injury during subsequent activity. Furthermore, static stretches, performed after physical activity, helps alleviate muscle tension and improve flexibility, thereby minimizing the likelihood of strains and tears. In the realm of injury recovery, stretching and mobility exercises play a crucial role in rehabilitation protocols for individuals recuperating from various musculoskeletal injuries. Following an injury, muscles can become tight and weakened due to disuse or trauma. Gentle stretching exercises aid in maintaining or restoring flexibility, preventing muscle atrophy and contractures. Additionally, targeted mobility exercises assist in restoring range of motion and functional movement patterns, allowing individuals to gradually regain strength and flexibility while reducing the risk of re-injury. Moreover, stretching and mobility exercises promote tissue healing by improving circulation to the injured area. Increased blood flow delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissues, facilitating the repair process and reducing inflammation. By incorporating a comprehensive stretching and mobility routine into their regimen, individuals not only safeguard themselves against future injuries but also expedite their recovery journey, enabling them to return to their activities with greater resilience and confidence. Mariah Adolphus Workers Compensation Specialist (AEP, ESSAM) Exercise Rehabilitation Services ‑ WA
Hey, my name is Blake, and I am an Exercise Physiologist, Workers Compensation Specialist and Clinical Team Leader at Absolute Balance. I graduated from Edith Cowan University in 2015 after completed my Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science and Rehabilitation). I grew up on a farm Northeast of Perth past Gingin with my parents and two brothers, both of which are back working on the farm, which has been in our family for generations. My love for sport and interest in the human body initially prompted me to complete my Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science, and my initial thoughts on a career were either Physiotherapy or Phys Ed Teacher. However, this quickly changed when I commenced my first Exercise Physiology unit in my Sports Science degree as it opened my eyes to exercise rehabilitation, and how important it was to individuals with injuries. Having experienced multiple injuries personally playing football (AFL), basketball and tennis, I can fully empathise with how much injuries can impact your life. Being an EP and being in a role where I can make a positive and meaningful impact on individual’s lives who have sustained an injury is extremely important to me. This doesn’t only extend to the patients I see, but also the team members I lead within Absolute Balance. I guide a team of five in the Northeast region at Absolute Balance, assisting them with their own patients and leading them to grow as Exercise Physiologists and individuals. Although it has its challenges, leadership is extremely rewarding and has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Whilst I am not at work, I am spending my time at the gym, at football training and games during February-September (or in the car travelling to and from comes with the gig of country football), spending time with my wife and our dog Otis. I spend the other half of my weekend manicuring my lawn and watching good shows and sports. Blake Cocking Workers Compensation Specialist ‑ Team Leader North East (AEP, ESSAM) Exercise Rehabilitation Services ‑ WA
