More personal, more compensation.
If you’ve been injured at work, our experienced workers compensation lawyers in Melbourne and across Victoria are here to help.
Your WorkCover lawyer will get to know you, explain your options, and make sure you get all the compensation you’re entitled to, including any lump sums. So you’ll get more compensation with Law Partners on your side.
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No win no fee guarantee.
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Over 99% success rate.
Maximum compensation.
No win no fee guarantee.
Find out where you stand.
Over 99% success rate.
Maximum compensation.
We’ll take the time to get to know you and understand how your injury has impacted every part of your life. Then, we’ll lodge your claim with WorkSafe on your behalf, making sure you receive all the compensation you deserve. At Law Partners, you’ll be matched with a specialist WorkCover lawyer who knows Victorian legislation inside and out.
WorkCover claims in Victoria should be reported to your employer within 30 days of the accident or injury. However, there are exceptions where you can exceed this time limit and we can advise you about these circumstances.
If you’re eligible, we can help you claim an impairment benefit. This is a lump sum compensation payout which covers a serious impairment as a result of work-related injury or illness. To be eligible, you need the right medical evidence and you’ll need to meet certain thresholds set by WorkSafe Victoria. Your lawyer can walk you through this process and keep you updated every step of the way.
We can also help you with a common law damages claim. This is a lump sum payout for damages that applies if your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence. This may cover two types of damages: one for economic loss from reduced earning capacity, and another for pain and suffering which is compensation for the physical and emotional impact of an injury.
Securing a common law damages lump sum can be a complex process, so it’s important to get legal advice before pursuing such a claim. Your WorkCover lawyer and team will be here to advise you on everything you need to know about this process.
Many clients come to us because they’ve had WorkCover compensation payments or treatment denied or cut off. Our WorkCover lawyers can review your claim, advise you on your options and make sure you receive your full entitlements.
If you find yourself in a dispute over your claim, having a lawyer on your side will give you a much better chance of success. Even if your case seems straightforward, getting the right free legal advice could uncover additional benefits.
No two workplace injuries are the same, and neither are the claims. Our specialist WorkCover lawyers are experienced helping our clients across a wide range of claim types in Melbourne and across Victoria. Injuries covered by WorkCover include:
These are some of the most common workplace injuries, often caused by wet floors, loose cables, poor lighting, or unsafe surfaces. They can lead to sprains, fractures, head injuries and long-term mobility issues.
Caused by repetitive tasks, poor ergonomics, or sustained strain over time, RSIs commonly affect the hands, wrists, shoulders, and neck. They can lead to chronic pain and reduced function if left untreated.
Back, shoulder, and neck injuries can occur from heavy lifting, awkward movements, or poor manual handling techniques. These injuries often affect your ability to return to work and may require ongoing treatment.
These injuries may stem from machinery malfunctions, work vehicle collisions or hazardous substance exposure. They might include lacerations, fractures and rotator cuff tears, as well as hearing loss, respiratory disease and crush injuries.
A specialist WorkCover lawyer will review your circumstances and tell you how much you can claim.
Navigating a WorkCover claim can be stressful, especially when you’re in recovery. Our specialist team can guide you through every step of the process. We’re here to help whether you’ve just been injured, your claim has been denied, or you’re not sure if you’re getting your full entitlements.
We handle all communication, paperwork, and negotiations with WorkSafe on your behalf so you can minimise stress and focus on getting better.
We take time to understand all aspects of your situation to uncover every possible entitlement and ensure you get all the compensation you deserve.
If your claim has been denied or underpaid, we may be able to step in and dispute the decision, gathering all the right evidence as we fight for your rights.
We win over 99% of our cases, and our no win, no fee guarantee goes one step further than most firms – we’ll also cover the costs we incur during your claim.
Our no win, no fee guarantee means you get expert lawyers fighting for your claim with absolutely no financial risk. If we don’t win, you don’t pay, it’s that simple.
Your workers compensation lawyer is backed by a team of Victorian specialists, including paralegals, medico-legal experts, forensic accountants and barristers. Your team will keep you informed every step of the way, so you’re in safe hands with Australia’s largest specialist personal injury firm on your side.
You can claim without using a WorkCover lawyer. However, every WorkCover claim is different, and it can be hard to know if you’re getting everything you’re entitled to. It’s also common for insurers to deny part or all of a compensation claim. Our WorkCover lawyers can review your claim aYou can claim without using a WorkCover lawyer. However, every WorkCover claim is different, and it can be hard to know if you’re getting everything you’re entitled to. It’s also common for insurers to deny part or all of a compensation claim. Our WorkCover lawyers can review your claim and make sure you receive your full entitlements. If you find yourself in a dispute over your claim, having a lawyer on your side will give you a much better chance of success.
Even if your case seems straightforward, getting the right legal advice could uncover additional benefits. To learn more, check out our Victorian WorkCover claims guide.
WorkCover claims in Victoria should be reported to your employer within 30 days of the accident or injury.
However, there are exceptions where you can exceed this time limit. For example:
There are other important time limits to be aware of, so it’s best to call us as soon as possible after your accident. You’re still able to lodge a claim after 30 days, sometimes even if none of these exceptions apply. Contact us at Law Partners and we can assist you with advice about lodging your claim even if it’s outside of 30 days.
Yes, you can. Victorian law allows claims for injuries that develop over time or worsen due to work, even if the original injury occurred years ago. You’ll need medical evidence showing your current condition is work-related or has been aggravated by your job. If you’ve only recently discovered the link between your injury and your work, you generally have 30 days from that date of discovery to report it.
For most claims, you’ll receive a liability decision on your claim from the WorkCover Insurer within 28 days. If your claim includes a work-related mental injury, your entitlement to provisional payments will be determined within five business days.
Your WorkCover Insurer will let you know in writing if your claim has been accepted and the amount of the weekly payments you’re entitled to.
If you’re unable to work due to a workplace injury, you may be entitled to weekly WorkCover payments for up to 130 weeks. After that, payments can continue indefinitely if you’re assessed as having no capacity for any work. If you have some capacity, payments may still continue if you meet strict criteria, including working at least 15 hours per week and earning a minimum amount. Learn more in our Victorian WorkCover claims guide.
The following table summarises the weekly workers compensation payments you may be eligible to claim in Victoria.
| Entitlement Period | Entitlement |
| Weeks 0-13 (returned to work) | 95% of pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to $2570, minus what you currently earn at work. |
| Weeks 0-13 (not yet returned to work) | 95% of pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to $2570. |
| Weeks 14-130 (returned to work) | 80% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to $2570, minus 80% of what you currently earn at work. If your PIAWE includes overtime this drops off after 52 weeks. |
| Weeks 14-130 (not yet returned to work) | 80% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to $2570. If your PIAWE includes overtime this drops off after 52 weeks. |
| After 130 weeks (no work capacity) | 80% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to $2570. If you have no capacity for any work this is likely to continue indefinitely. |
| After 130 weeks (some work capacity) | Weekly payments may continue if you meet all of these criteria:have returned to workare working at least 15 hours per week earning at least $220 per weekyour work related injury or illness means it’s unlikely you’ll be able to work any more than this in the futurePayments: 80% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings, up to $2570, minus 80% of what you currently earn at work. |
Lump sum compensation entitlements are outlined in a separate FAQ (below).
Superannuation isn’t paid during the first 52 weeks of WorkCover weekly payments. However, if you’re still receiving payments after 52 weeks and meet eligibility criteria, the insurer must begin contributing super to your nominated fund. These contributions are based on your weekly compensation amount, not your full pre-injury wage. If you return to part-time work, your employer may also contribute super for the hours you work.
There are two ways you can get a workers compensation lump sum settlement:
| Payout | Description |
| Impairment Benefit payout | A lump sum compensation payout to cover a permanent impairment as a result of a work-related injury or illness. |
| Damages payout | Also known as common law claim, this is a lump sum payout for damages if your injury was caused by your employer’s negligence. |
To learn more about permanent impairment lump sum payments, you can refer to our whole person impairment compensation calculator and guide.
To find out if you qualify for a Common law claim Damages payout, you can call 1300 792 695 and get free legal advice from a Law Partners WorkCover lawyer.
At Law Partners, we’ll provide you with free advice. If you decide to proceed with your claim we’ll recover as much of your legal costs as we can from the insurer, and you’ll only need to pay the gap after you’ve received your compensation.
If we find that you’re entitled to Impairment Benefit or a Damages lump sum payment, we’ll work on a no win no fee, no disbursements basis, so you’ll only need to pay us if we win, and you receive your lump sum compensation.
If your claim is denied and you want to dispute the decision, here are some options:
Employers are generally required to hold your position or offer suitable duties for at least 12 months after your injury. After that, if they can’t provide suitable work, they may legally terminate your employment. However, being terminated doesn’t automatically end your WorkCover entitlements, as you may still receive weekly payments and other benefits. If you’re concerned about dismissal, it’s best to get legal advice. Feel free to call our team on 1300 792 695 for a free no-obligation conversation.
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