workcover
Posted by: stewart bookworm
6th Feb 2011 07:11pm
If you get in the unfortunate position of being in an accident be very careful. You may get compenstated $750,000 and being low income happy days are here for you. from this money lawyers get a considerable amount. who else can charge you $20 a page duplicated, $100 per phone call and as much as they can for anything else. no come back you have to pay. Then comes the medical payments. instead of charging ordinary fees they have a different fee charge above and beyond what you would expect. again no come back no one to complain to . sorry yes you can, to a lawyer. If it is a car accident the insurance companies would advice you who to see and they will charge excessivelly. what to complain see a lawyer. so after all that you may end up with @200,000 which your family or best friends will borrow and promise to repay. If you didnt' get a lawyer to make a document and they dont repay bucleys chance of getting the money back. but again you see a lawyer who would be able to help themself to whatever you had left. even gets better if you are under the influence of your medicine and wonked out of your mind
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Comments 6
Crazy_Horse666
The fundamental problem with the Workcover paradigm is that it is open to coercion, manipulation and corruption by the very authorities that are assigned to manage it.
In order to practice Law or Medicine in Australia, the Practitioner is required by legislation to have insurance.
The "Agents" for Workcover are "insurance" companies. These companies are – Allianz, CGU, Gallagher Bassett, GIO, QBE, and Xchanging.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) Is it possible that your own Medical Practitioner and Solicitor is insured by one of these companies or it's affiliates?
2) Why is it that none of the law firms who handle Workcover claims will accept cash up front to handle a Workcover claim?
3) Why is it that all the law firms that deal with Workcover claims only handle a Workcover claim if it is agreed to be conducted under the "No Win - No Fee" agreement?
Read your "No Win - No Fee" contract carefully, for the answers to the abovementioned questions and my original observation are contained within. It will astound anyone who has been injured in the workplace and has sought, or is seeking compensation.
mermaid
How misinformed you were Stewart, sounds like you didn't have a very good claims manager this is how it works.....once your claim is accepted your appointed a claims manager from your employers Insurance Company. The claims managers role is to seek a positive for the insurance company and at their will use their own medical team to determine your capabilities to return you to work. Your entitled of course to your own medical team and medicare will take care of that for you by way of referral from your GP. The legal team will work for the IC and again your entitled to your own at your expense or if your a union member the union will take care of that for you costs paid.
You are not legally obliged to accept anything the IC offers period and at any point and time if you are not satisfied with any outcome or progress of your claim you are within your legal rights as a claimant to advise your case manager you will be seeking WorkCovers assistance to resolve the issue. Once you do they will take over your claim if the need arises and enforce the insurance company to comply with regulations.
When it comes to the situation you found yourself in the first and foremost option was to seek an itemised documentation of what the legal team will compensate including their fees. The option to choose communications via email, fax, phone or in written form is the key and how frequent keeping costs in your favour. How to find such a firm is not difficult their are more advertisements available for Workcover than car dealers today.
Your GP is your best friend, his ability to identify what medical attention you require and how your are progressing from a health perspective is key to your returning to work in your current role. Do not accept returning to work in a lesser paying role, your legally entitled to receive the same pay. Employers may view the role as no longer needed however, they are also legal obliged to find you employment with the equivalent pay in the event you are deemed unable to return to part time or full time employment then the option of compensation is viable.
Hope this helps to overcome your concerns and helps ease the many distractions your currently facing, chin up and above all get to know your rights...best of health to you for a speedy recovery and most importantly return to work!
Harley man
Workcover is not to blame for the things you mention in your posting these are things that we all know happen Lawyers charge by the action and always have, Doctors have always charged private patients more than public and friends and family will always rip you off if they can. I had an accident and got $100,000 which was $45,000 after lawyers and medical fees however my solicitor was up front at the begining and quoted that the out come would be about $40,000 in the end so I actually came out in front. I then had a bigger accident which left me with a broken back and the Solicitor adviced me that the situation would be better if I did not involve him as I would get a bigger slice of the payout. He has been in touch every six months since keeping me aware of the things I need to be doing and all for free. So they are not all bad, it is just that we never know how good or bad they are until we use them, then it is too late.
david
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules.
david
some doctors earn there money and do work hard,especially young doctors working hospitals.for others in private practice,for them it is a business,they may do a good job,but they are in it for the money.if you have more than one medical problem,they make you make another appoinment.10 minutes is standard consultation time.after that if you have a problem.make another appointment.as for lawyers the are very clever people also out for the big bucks.they know if there client is guilty and still defend them.the law is an ass.if you have money and a smart lawyer,chances are you will get of even though you are guilty.
Steve49
Most doctors really earn their money, if anything they are under paid (no I'm not a doctor). Lawyers on the other hand will be the third ones up against the wall when the revolution comes.