What’s My Claim Worth partners with specialist law firms throughout NSW who specialise in Comcare cases, and can help you investigate your entitlements for a Comcare claim. As a no-fault scheme, Comcare claims do not require you to prove who is at fault. We can help you receive compensation – No Win, No Fee.
We can help you seek Comcare for:
- Injuries that restrict you from performing your day-to-day work duties
- Injuries that prevent you from working full-time or part-time
- Illness or disease brought on or aggravated by your workplace conditions
- Hearing loss, psychological disorders and degenerative diseases caused by your workplace environment
Who is covered by Comcare?
Comcare covers employees of Commonwealth Government agencies and statutory authorities, as well as corporations granted licences to self-insure, such as Telstra, NAB, Australia Post, and CBA. If you’re employed in one of these organisations and have been injured or suffered at the hands of workplace harassment, you may be entitled to make a Comcare claim.
While Comcare does not require you to prove the fault of another party, it can be complex and overwhelming to figure out the best path to make a claim, with many administrative and legal hurdles that you shouldn’t have to suffer following a workplace accident. Our network of legal professionals includes experts in Comcare claims who are able to guide you through the process, advise on what information needs to be supplied to strengthen your claims and make sure that you are informed at every step on what is happening with your case. If you believe you may be eligible to make a Comcare claim, get in touch with our helpful team to weigh up your options.
What kind of benefits may Comcare provide?
The type of benefits that you may be entitled to can vary depending on the type of injury you sustain, its severity and the length of time that you are considered to be unfit to work. Some of the most common benefits that Comcare offers include:
- Income support
- Reimbursements for medical treatment, including surgery, prescribed medicines, medical aids, pathology tests and more
- Rehabilitation services claims
- Attendant care services claims to assist in personal care after sustaining an injury
- Household services claims, including cooking, cleaning and childcare
- Travel costs accumulated when seeking medical treatment for a work-related injury or illness
- Long-term or permanent impairment benefits
- Compensation following a work-related death
How do you make a Comcare claim?
To make a Comcare claim, there are three main steps to follow.
Report your injury to your employer
First, you’ll need to report your work-related injury to your employer. This should be done as soon as possible. Your employer will inform you of the relevant procedure required to report your injury.
Seek medical treatment and a medical certificate
In order to submit your claim to Comcare, you will need to request a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner. This may include a GP or a specialist such as a psychiatrist or a surgeon. The medical certificate will need to include the following:
- A diagnosis of the injury that you intend to claim workers compensation for
- A determined cause of your injury
- The date that you sustained your injury
- An outline of your fitness for work
- A recommended course of treatment
- Any other necessary information
Submit a claim
Having gathered all relevant information and documentation, you can then submit your Comcare claim. You may choose to file a paper claim form or submit your claim using an online form. However you choose to submit your claim, your employer will need to complete a designated section before the form is officially submitted to Comcare.
How long does a Comcare claim take?
Much like other types of compensation claims, the amount of time required for a Comcare claim to be finalised depends on the individual circumstances of the claim. While some claims may be finalised within 12 or 18 months, others can take much longer. The amount of time required for a claim to be finalised can vary depending on whether your injury has stabilised, whether you have the medical evidence to support your claim, your rehabilitation progress and other factors.
Are there any time limits on making a Comcare claim?
Although there are no time limits on making a Comcare claim, it is important that you notify your employer as soon as practically possible about any injuries or illnesses that you have sustained at work.
Is it possible to dispute a Comcare claim determination?
In most cases, primary determinations made by Comcare can be reviewed. If you do wish to have a claim determination reviewed, a review officer who did not assess the initial claim will examine the information and evidence submitted. From here, they will decide whether the initial assessment was correct or if more information is required to make an informed decision.
Not all determinations can be reconsidered, but the following can:
- The acceptance or rejection of a compensation claim
- A decision to stop compensation payments
- A decision to either increase or decrease your weekly compensation payments
- Employer-made determinations that relate to your rehabilitation
If you do wish to have a determination reviewed, you must make a request within 30 days of receiving the original claim determination. In some circumstances, you may be eligible for an extension of this 30-day timeframe.
No Win, No Fee
No one suffering should have to end up out of pocket to pursue their claim. For this reason, we partner exclusively with Comcare legal professionals who will take on your case on a no win-no fee basis (excluding defendant costs if the claim is litigated). Once you find out the value of your claim, you can choose to be connected to this network. You can rest easy knowing that any lawyer you choose will act on the No Win, No Fee guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I’m covered by Comcare?
As a general rule, if you are employed by the federal government or by a company that has a Comcare license, you likely covered by Comcare. If you are uncertain whether you are covered by Comcare or standard workers compensation scheme, your employer or union should be able to provide you with the information you need.
Can I access Comcare even if I no longer work in the public sector?
If you sustained an injury while employed within the public sector, you may be eligible for compensation under the Comcare scheme. To learn more about your eligibility and claim options, get in touch with our team.