Employment
Workers Compensation
Employers are obliged to carry Workers’ Compensation insurance to assist employees who get sick or injured because of their work. It covers medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost wages. In the event of a worker’s death due to work, it provides financial benefits to dependents.
Whole Person Impairment
An assessment of Whole Person Impairment (WPI) forms a component of the psychiatric assessment for a work injury. The percentage impairment determines lump sum payments for work injuries. This assessment is performed by a suitably qualified independent medical examiner once the injury has reached maximum medical improvement and has stabilized.
Fitness for Work
A psychiatric fitness for work assessment will assess an employee’s capacity to participate in work and perform their role safely. It is typically undertaken after an injury or illness to ensure the employee is fit to return to work. It will usually include recommendations about the return-to-work process, including adjustments to work hours and duties to support re-integration towards pre-injury/pre-illness work.
Work Injury Damages
Work Injury Damages may be payable as a lump-sum compensation for a work-related injury caused by an employer’s negligence. This is a separate claim from Workers’ Compensation. The psychiatric assessment for a Work Injury Damages claim will include consideration of the effects of the injury on past and future lost earnings.
Workplace Discrimination
Compensation for workplace discrimination can include financial damages for lost wages and entitlements, as well as compensation for an associated psychiatric injury. It may represent the basis for a Workers’ Compensation claim or a Work Injury Damages claim.