Injury includes a disease contracted in the course of employment or an aggravation of an injury, disease or condition arising out of, or in the course of employment, if the employment is a significant contributing factor to the disease or the aggravation. It also includes psychological injury in certain circumstances. Injuries during travel to and from work are generally covered by the scheme, although there are exceptions in some circumstances. Compulsory insurance To cover this liability, the law requires every Queensland employer to take out insurance with WorkCover Queensland. Employers are also required to pay an excess or to insure against the excess.
Penalties apply to employers who fail to take out and maintain insurance.
An employer must report any compensable injuries to WorkCover and an injured worker must notify WorkCover in writing of his or her return to work. The legislation covers all workers who work under a contract of service. Directors, trustees, partners and professional sports people are specifically excluded. What the worker can claim Generally the injured worker may be entitled to weekly payments in respect of the injury. If the worker has died, his or her dependants may be able to claim a lump sum payment.