One of the biggest grey areas in WC is that people often say they can't work anymore.

Well define 'can't work'.

Sure, they may not be able to work in thier chosen field, but, if thier injury was ligit then surely they would be compensated.

Can't work is a very strong statement and one that is continually argued in the courts. It is also considered when a ruling on compo payouts are made.

People that are wheel chair bound often gain work in offices, some even as check out attendants.

I saw a guy recently who had no arms, no legs, yet, he was a very succesfull motivational speaker. Surely there are many who claim 'they can't work' that are better off than this guy.

Just remember, we all live in a lucky country but if we keep pushing the boundaries then maybe one day we won't be so lucky.

WC was designed to pay injured workers with genuine injuries. It was not set up to be frauded or to feather lawyers nests.

This is where the problems lie. Address these issues and you may well turn the corner to a better system.

Dear rehctub,

The system should be fair to both the employer and
the employee - I agree. And perhaps it is time
that we had a re-assessment of the relationship.
What we don't need is the old , "kick the worker"
attitude. You sound like a fair man - you also sound
like one who's had far more experience in this area
then I've had - so I respect your point of view.
All I'm asking for is proper protection - and an
equitable system that serves both the worker and his
employer. And I believe that this can be achieved
through co-operation between the two, not condemnation
of each other.

rechtub I do not disagree with Foxys view of you, in fact I share it.
But mate you are badly informed and lack knowledge of just how it is, like that sling about security hired because workers thieve, a low blow mate
Get this clear,NEVER NOT EVER will I support a thief in the workplace, or a fraudulent claim for workers compo. NEVER EVER.
I never left a job the boss did not ask me to stay, offering more money if I did.
I believe a fair days pay deserves a fair days work.
Construction workers get overtime included for a time in compo, via top up.
Like all insurances compo has a social reason, prior to it workers fell back on social security, always.
you mate are blinded to the fact we all, every one of us pay for workers comp you like every business man pass it on to us.
criminals do steal from work sites, huge amounts, including plant doing weekend foreign orders and trucks removing gear soil and more.
ALWAYS cleared by a STAFF member in control of a black tax free market, no workers involved they may tell.
As those involved are not workers or unionists are their crimes important?
You are not a bad bloke but under informed and biased strangely against Joe average, who could well be the back bone of your business.

rehctub,
You still ignore the fact that if you have a smaller pool of contributors than existed in 89 check when the act changed to allow the big employers to self fund.
Where are the figures that prove your point that the major cost is employee fraud…. all the issues I raise as fact can be sourced.

The case which I was referring too Generated $33k (itemized) costs by WC for what 5 specialist visits and an occupational therapist twice the lad spent nearly that much in specialists and Medicare want 10% of his payout even though their input didn’t come close to that. WC Lawyers, barristers weren’t itemized but presumably were extra.

As the lawyer said it’s not the right/wrong or justice of the issue it comes down to who might win in court when the case is based on narrow legal issues. e.g. WC’s doctor would be more listened to because he saw the lad 3 times over 3 years. Even thought his report was full of mistakes and errors in fact. Symptoms were ignored because they weren’t in the field of the specialists and went un-investigated. Pursuing them would have cost more and wouldn’t win the case

Also medical technology in 89 CAT scans unheard of …today MRI & PET scans and bone scans even ultra sound is high tech and are a big ticket items and can be called in to play.
The way we manage medicine has changed there are several new diseases, conditions, new expensive diagnosing techniques et al. New issues that can now be tested .i.e. ABC offices in Brisbane (11 year cancer cluster) this site enquiry spent millions investigating with a nil result. 30 yrs ago claims like this didn’t exist.

When I made my claim 20 yrs ago the cost to fight the case was less than 15% of the award. This lad will be lucky if he gets 30% of the settlement.
Nearly $98k (itemized)was spent to give him a pittance for his lifetime injury.

Sorry but you’re out of touch with the costs today and the way it’s played.

Dear Belly,

To me your integrity is beyond reproach.
If I was ever in any kind of trouble -
workwise, I'd want you by my side advising me.
You're honest, you care, you tell it like it is,
and you tell it straight. And besides - you're
a great guy! :)

I hope that I haven't embarrassed you.

examinator
I never said fraud was the 'major 'cause of Wc increases or its demise.

However, just try to imagine the million spent on lawyers, private investigaters etc all in an effort to search out the compo cheats. Now you can't tell me thast if there were no cheats that they system would be in the mess it is today.

Furthermore, you say that there are not enough contributing businesses left to provide suficient funding hey. Then why punish the ones who are contributing then?

Perhaps you have just amplified my call for additional funding by way of 'top up' personal injury insurance.

It is simply unfair for anyone to expect my business to pay ten times the premium percentage for WC.