Helping Mr. G. make a successful work injury claim

While working at a nursing home, Mr. G. fell to the ground when a ladder he was descending slipped. He sustained severe spinal injuries and a traumatic brain injury, leading to major depression and an inability to work in his usual occupation as a labourer.

When his weekly workers compensation payments ceased, while still severely incapacitated, Mr. G. engaged Wyatts to represent him. We were able to secure weekly payments and a lump sum to provide for Mr. G.’s ongoing are and future medical expenses.

In an instant Mr. G.’s life changed irrevocably. Rendered unconscious after falling from a ladder while cleaning gutters at his workplace, his injuries were severe and had a profound impact on his ability to work and care for himself. While Mr. G. received weekly workers’ compensation payments, these eventually ceased as he was deemed to be under the required threshold to continue to receive payments.

Due to his severe injuries and symptoms, Mr. G. continued to struggle with pain in his spine, reduced brain function and processing skills, memory loss, sensory loss, and emotional and psychological suffering. Requiring the constant care and support of his wife, it became extremely difficult for them to meet their household expenses. Mr. G. finds it difficult to work part time in most weeks and cannot do complex tasks.

Workers Compensation in NSW is one of the most difficult and technical areas of personal injury. Injured workers are often left confused and lost, with no support or understanding from the scheme. Wyatts has a dedicated, experienced Work Injury and Insurance Team to navigate the complex workers compensation scheme in NSW, common law work injury claims and life insurance claims.

The experienced work injury team at Wyatts took on Mr. G.’s case, recognising the severe injuries he sustained and his need for support. These matters are funded by the Independent Review Office in NSW. We applied for funding to investigate and provide advice to Mr. G. We instructed the best independent medical specialists to give a fair and reasonable medical examination to maximise Mr. G.’s chances of success in claiming workers compensation and restarting his weekly compensation payments.

We instructed our specialists with full and appropriate medical evidence to ensure we obtain the best quality medical reports to support Mr. G.’s case. The claim was disputed by the workers compensation insurer and our team vowed to fight this decision in the Personal Injury Commission (PIC) of New South Wales. Our team also instructed the best and most experienced barristers available to act on behalf of Mr. G.

Our diligent preparation and commitment to his case, and the professional representation by his solicitor and barrister, led to Mr. G.’s claim being accepted by agreement in the Personal Injury Commission. As part of his claim, Mr. G. was referred to be examined by Medical Assessors chosen by the Commission, to determine if he met the impairment threshold to be entitled to weekly compensation payments.

A Medical Assessor of the Personal Injury Commission determined that for his spinal and traumatic brain injury, Mr. G. was assessed at 31% Whole Person Impairment, and therefore entitled to be awarded lump sum compensation.

As a result of this determination by the Personal Injury Commission, Mr. G., in accordance with the Workers Compensation legislation, is now deemed a ‘worker with the highest needs’. He is entitled to continue receiving weekly compensation support payments from the insurer, in addition to reimbursement of all reasonably necessary medical expenses for his injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, we take great care to provide you with the best possible advice. We take an approach of dedicated preparation, review and care to your case. We understand the pain and suffering you and your loved ones are experiencing, and we will do everything in our power to achieve the best possible outcome for you.