News
WorkCover advertises its own mismanagement
28th May 2012
WorkCover has released a list of what it describes as some of the worst cases of excessive claims that have ever been referred to it, including a woman who suffered 'minor whiplash' 10 years ago and received $751,000 worth of WorkCover-funded treatment, including 'Botox injections, skin treatments and massages'.
WorkCover claims the woman has refused to return to work, to undertake rehabilitation or undergo an insurance assessment.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance is asking, if that was the case, why such a person had continued to receive ongoing compensation?
“If the facts are as WorkCover describes, there are at least three bases on which the person is disentitled to receive ongoing compensation,” ALA NSW Committee spokesman Bruce McManamey said.
“The payments made can only be because WorkCover has failed to properly administer the claim.”
“The Australian Lawyers Alliance is calling on WorkCover to explain why it has continued to make payments,” he said.
Mr McManamey said injured workers were only entitled to weekly benefits when they were unable to work because of a workplace injury.
“There are no entitlements, under the current legislation, for people who simply do not want to work,” Mr McManamey said.
“Medical treatment is only payable if it is reasonably necessary as a result of a workplace injury,” he said.
“The Australian Lawyers Alliance calls on WorkCover to explain why it made treatment payments that it clearly represents as being unrelated to the injury described?
"Unless, of course, WorkCover is not telling the whole story and the people named have genuine continuing inability to work and need ongoing treatment.
"Maybe WorkCover should get its own house in order before it attacks the benefits of innocent victims,” Mr McManamey said.
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