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Queensland. Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act PDF
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1 Queensland Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 Act No. 24 of 2010
3 Queensland Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 Contents Page Part 1 Preliminary 1 Short title Commencement Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Act amended Amendment of s 54 (Setting of premium) Replacement of s 67 (Employer may insure against payment for the excess period) Employer may not insure against payment for the excess period Amendment of s 86 (Reinsurance) Amendment of s 185 (Insurer to give notice of assessment of permanent impairment) Amendment of s 202 (Workers under 21) Amendment of s 220 (Insurer s responsibility for worker s rehabilitation) Amendment of s 221 (Authority s responsibility for rehabilitation) Amendment of s 231 (Worker must mitigate loss) Amendment of s 233 (Definitions for ch 5) Amendment of s 235A (Date of doctor s consultation taken to be date of injury) Amendment of s 238 (Worker with terminal condition) Amendment of s 267 (Mitigation of loss) Amendment of s 290A (Exchange of material for compulsory conference) Replacement of ss 292 and 292A
4 Contents 292 Parties to make written final offers if claim not settled at compulsory conference Omission of ch 5, pt 8 (Structured settlements) Omission of ch 5, pt 9 hdg (Particular matters affecting assessments of liability) Omission of s 306 (Absolute defences not reintroduced) Insertion of new ch 5, pts 8 and Part 8 Civil liability Division 1 Interpretation 305 Definitions for pt A Provisions not to apply to particular injuries Division 2 General standard of care 305B General principles C Other principles Division 3 Causation 305D General principles E Onus of proof Division 4 Contributory negligence 305F Standard of care in relation to contributory negligence G Contributory negligence can defeat claim I Meaning of obvious risk for s 305H J Presumption of contributory negligence if person who suffers injury is intoxicated Part 9 Assessment of damages Division 1 Interpretation 306 Definitions for pt A Provisions not to apply to particular injuries Division 3 Assessment of damages Subdivision 2 Other provisions 306I Damages for loss of earnings J When earnings can not be precisely calculated L Discount rate to be applied in calculating the present value of future loss M Damages for loss of consortium or loss of servitium N Interest O Assessment by court of injury scale Page Act No. 24
5 Contents 306P Calculation of general damages Division 4 Structured settlements 306Q Definition for div R Court required to inform parties of proposed award S Court may make consent order for structured settlement T Obligation of legal practitioners to provide advice U Offer of structured settlement legal costs Division 5 Indexation provisions 306V Indexation of particular amounts Amendment and relocation of s 307 (Contributory negligence) Amendment and relocation of ch 5, pt 10 (No right to damages for particular services) Amendment and relocation of ch 5, pt 11 (Exemplary damages) Amendment of s 311 (Principles about orders as to costs) Amendment of s 312 (Costs if written final offer by claimant) Amendment of s 313 (Costs if written offer by insurer) Amendment of s 316 (Principles about orders as to costs) Insertion of new ch 5, pt 12, div 2A Division 2A Costs when offers made for a contribution claim 316A Principles about order as to costs Omission of s 317 (Application of div 3) Amendment of s 318 (Costs if proceedings could have been brought in a lower court) Insertion of new ss 318A 318E A General application of costs provisions in part B Court may make an alternative order in particular circumstances C Costs order under div 2 for an interlocutory application D Order for costs if more than 1 person liable for the same costs E Order for costs if an entity was not a party at the compulsory conference Insertion of new ch Chapter 26 Transitional provisions for the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act Act No. 24 Page 3
6 Contents 663 Definitions for ch Existing excess period insurance protected Reinsurance Compensation on death of worker under Responsibility for worker s rehabilitation Provisions about conferences, offers and costs Provisions about, civil liability and assessment of damages Amendment of regulations under Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act Amendment of sch 6 (Dictionary) Part 3 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation Regulation amended Amendment of s 3 (Definitions) Replacement of s 16 (Excess period Act, s 65) Excess period Act, s Omission of ss 17 and Amendment of s 77 (Appointment of actuarial arbiter) Insertion of new pt 7A Part 7A Assessment of damages 112C Prescribed amount of damages for loss of consortium or loss of servitium Act, s 306M D Rules for assessing injury scale value Act, s 306O(1)(c)(i) E General damages calculation provisions Act, s 306P F Prescribed amount of award for future loss Act, s 306R Insertion of new pt 10, div Division 4 Provision for Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act Excess period Insertion of new schs Schedule 8 Matters to which court is to have regard in the application of schedule 9 Schedule 9 Ranges of injury scale values Page Act No. 24
7 Schedule 10 Matters relevant to PIRS assessment by medical expert Contents Schedule 11 Psychiatric impairment rating scale Schedule 12 General damages calculation provisions Schedule 13 Dictionary Part 4 Amendment of Workplace Health and Safety Act Act amended Insertion of new pt 3, div Division 5 Effect of Act on civil liability 37A No civil cause of action based on contravention of Act Insertion of new pt 17, div Division 7 Transitional provision for Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act Retrospective extinguishing of statutory cause of action Part 5 Other amendments 46 Legislation amended in schedule Schedule Legislation amended Civil Liability Regulation Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation Act No. 24 Page 5
9 Queensland Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 Act No. 24 of 2010 An Act to amend the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2003, the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Civil Liability Regulation 2003 for particular purposes [Assented to 17 June 2010]
10 Part 1 Preliminary [s 1] The Parliament of Queensland enacts Part 1 Preliminary 1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act Commencement This Act, other than section 13, commences on 1 July Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Act amended This part and the schedule amend the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Amendment of s 54 (Setting of premium) (1) Section 54 insert (3A) Without limiting subsection (2), the gazette notice may state a method or rate that provides for a premium payable by an employer in the event that the employer s premium rate repeatedly exceeds the relevant industry rate.. (2) Section 54 Page Act No. 24
11 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 insert (10) In this section [s 5] employer s premium rate means the premium rate calculated for the employer by using a formula that takes into account the number and cost of claims made against the employer s policy during previous financial years. relevant industry rate, in relation to an employer, means the industry or business classification rate applying to the industry or business classification (a) stated in the gazette notice under subsection (2) for the employer s industry or business; or (b) as decided by Workcover under subsection (3) for the industry or business that most closely describes the employer s industry or business.. 5 Replacement of s 67 (Employer may insure against payment for the excess period) Section 67 omit, insert 67 Employer may not insure against payment for the excess period An employer may not insure with WorkCover against the employer s liability to pay for the excess period.. 6 Amendment of s 86 (Reinsurance) (1) Section 86(2), $1m omit, insert the set limit. (2) Section 86(3), The contract omit, insert The approved insurer s liability under the contract Act No. 24 Page 9
12 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 7] (3) Section 86(6) insert set limit means an amount of $1m or more set by the Authority s board on application in the approved form by the self-insurer.. 7 Amendment of s 185 (Insurer to give notice of assessment of permanent impairment) Section 185(3)(c), 50% omit, insert 30%. 8 Amendment of s 202 (Workers under 21) Section 202(1)(b) omit, insert (b) is survived by a parent ordinarily resident in Australia but left no dependants.. 9 Amendment of s 220 (Insurer s responsibility for worker s rehabilitation) Section 220 insert (3) Subsection (4) applies if an injured worker is unable to return to work with the worker s former employer when the entitlement of the worker to weekly payments of compensation under chapter 3, part 9 stops. (4) The insurer must notify the Authority in the way decided by the Authority. (5) In this section former employer means any employer of the worker at or after the time the worker was injured.. Page Act No. 24
13 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Amendment of s 221 (Authority s responsibility for rehabilitation) (1) Section 221(a), after rehabilitation insert and return to work. (2) Section 221 insert [s 10] (2) If the worker consents, the Authority must refer a worker for whom a notice has been given under section 220(4) to programs that may help return the worker to work. Examples of programs vocational assessments, re-skilling or retraining, job placement, host employment. 11 Amendment of s 231 (Worker must mitigate loss) (1) Section 231(3) renumber as section 231(4). (2) Section 231 insert (3) Without limiting subsection (2), a worker must satisfactorily participate in any return to work program or suitable duties arranged by the insurer or the Authority.. 12 Amendment of s 233 (Definitions for ch 5) Section 233 insert contribution claim means a claim for contribution or indemnity made against another person by an insurer who adds the person as a contributor under section 278A. offer, in relation to written final offers at a compulsory conference, includes a nil offer of settlement Act No. 24 Page 11
14 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 13] Example An insurer may make a nil offer of settlement to a worker when it intends to allege fraud by the worker.. 13 Amendment of s 235A (Date of doctor s consultation taken to be date of injury) (1) Section 235A, heading, doctor s omit, insert relevant health practitioner. (2) Section 235A(1), doctor omit, insert relevant health practitioner. (3) Section 235A insert (4) In this section relevant health practitioner means a doctor, nurse practitioner or dentist authorised under section 132 to issue a certificate under the section.. 14 Amendment of s 238 (Worker with terminal condition) Section 238(2)(a), after 267(2) insert or (3).. 15 Amendment of s 267 (Mitigation of loss) (1) Section 267(3) renumber as section 267(4). (2) Section 267 insert Page Act No. 24
15 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 16] (3) Without limiting subsection (2), a worker must satisfactorily participate in any return to work program or suitable duties arranged by the insurer or the Authority.. 16 Amendment of s 290A (Exchange of material for compulsory conference) (1) Section 290A(3)(d)(iii), before the amount of insert the claim is dismissed, the court makes no award of damages or. (2) Section 290A(5) omit. 17 Replacement of ss 292 and 292A Section 292 and 292A omit, insert 292 Parties to make written final offers if claim not settled at compulsory conference (1) This section applies to the following (each a claim) (a) a claim made by the claimant against another party; (b) a contribution claim relating to the claim made by the claimant. (2) If a claim is not settled at a compulsory conference, each party that has legal capacity to settle the claim must ensure that it makes a written final offer or written final offers at the conference to another or other parties at the conference that would dispose of the claim if the offer or offers were accepted. (3) Any 2 or more parties may make a joint written final offer to another party. (4) Before a joint written final offer is made, the parties making the offer must give the party to whom the offer is to be given 2010 Act No. 24 Page 13
16 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 17] sufficient notice of the fact that a joint written final offer will be made to enable the party to appropriately respond. (5) Also, if more than 1 claim is the subject of the compulsory conference, a written final offer may be a consolidated written final offer for all the claims made by the claimant. (6) A consolidated written final offer must cover all contribution claims relating to all the claims made by the claimant to the extent the party making the offer has legal capacity to settle the contribution claims. (7) A consolidated written final offer must detail the portion of the offer applicable to each claim. (8) A consolidated written final offer can only be accepted or rejected in full. (9) A written final offer must remain open for 10 business days and proceedings must not be started while the offer remains open. (10) If the claimant or insurer brings a proceeding in a court for a claim, the claimant or insurer must, at the start of the proceeding, file at the court a sealed envelope containing a copy of the claimant s or insurer s written final offer for the claim. (11) A party to proceedings for a claim, other than the party who starts the proceedings, within 10 business days after being served with the legal process that starts the proceeding, must file at the court a sealed envelope containing a copy of the party s written final offer for the claim. (12) The court must not read an offer filed under subsection (10) or (11) until it has decided the claim relating to the offer. (13) The court must have regard to the filed offer in making a decision about whether it should order that a party to whom an offer was given should pay all or part of Page Act No. 24
17 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 18] (a) (b) the costs of a party who made the offer; and if the claim is a contribution claim any costs the party who was given the offer is liable to pay to the claimant.. 18 Omission of ch 5, pt 8 (Structured settlements) Chapter 5, part 8 omit. 19 Omission of ch 5, pt 9 hdg (Particular matters affecting assessments of liability) Chapter 5, part 9, heading omit. 20 Omission of s 306 (Absolute defences not reintroduced) Section 306 omit. 21 Insertion of new ch 5, pts 8 and 9 After section 304 insert Part 8 Civil liability Division 1 Interpretation 305 Definitions for pt 8 In this part duty means any duty giving rise to a claim for damages, including the following (a) a duty of care in tort; 2010 Act No. 24 Page 15
18 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] (b) (c) a duty of care under contract that is concurrent and coextensive with a duty of care in tort; another duty under statute or otherwise that is concurrent with a duty of care mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b). duty of care means a duty to take reasonable care or to exercise reasonable skill (or both duties). 305A Provisions not to apply to particular injuries (1) The provisions of this part other than division 4, do not apply in relation to deciding liability for injury if the injury resulting from the breach of duty is or includes (a) an injury that is a dust-related condition; or (b) an injury resulting from smoking or other use of tobacco products or exposure to tobacco smoke. (2) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a breach of duty mentioned in subsection (1) includes a breach of duty giving rise to a dependency claim. Division 2 General standard of care 305B General principles (1) A person does not breach a duty to take precautions against a risk of injury to a worker unless (a) the risk was foreseeable (that is, it is a risk of which the person knew or ought reasonably to have known); and (b) the risk was not insignificant; and (c) in the circumstances, a reasonable person in the position of the person would have taken the precautions. (2) In deciding whether a reasonable person would have taken precautions against a risk of injury, the court is to consider the following (among other relevant things) Page Act No. 24
19 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] (a) (b) (c) the probability that the injury would occur if care were not taken; the likely seriousness of the injury; the burden of taking precautions to avoid the risk of injury. 305C Other principles In a proceeding relating to liability for a breach of duty (a) the burden of taking precautions to avoid a risk of injury includes the burden of taking precautions to avoid similar risks of injury for which the person may be responsible; and (b) the fact that a risk of injury could have been avoided by doing something in a different way does not of itself give rise to or affect liability for the way in which the thing was done; and (c) the subsequent taking of action that would (had the action been taken earlier) have avoided a risk of injury does not of itself give rise to or affect liability in relation to the risk and does not of itself constitute an admission of liability in connection with the risk. Division 3 Causation 305D General principles (1) A decision that a breach of duty caused particular injury comprises the following elements (a) the breach of duty was a necessary condition of the occurrence of the injury (factual causation); (b) it is appropriate for the scope of the liability of the person in breach to extend to the injury so caused (scope of liability) Act No. 24 Page 17
20 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] (2) In deciding in an exceptional case, in accordance with established principles, whether a breach of duty being a breach of duty that is established but which can not be established as satisfying subsection (1)(a) should be accepted as satisfying subsection (1)(a), the court is to consider (among other relevant things) whether or not and why responsibility for the injury should be imposed on the party in breach. (3) If it is relevant to deciding factual causation to decide what the worker who sustained an injury would have done if the person who was in breach of the duty had not been so in breach (a) the matter is to be decided subjectively in the light of all relevant circumstances, subject to paragraph (b); and (b) any statement made by the worker after suffering the injury about what he or she would have done is inadmissible except to the extent (if any) that the statement is against his or her interest. (4) For the purpose of deciding the scope of liability, the court is to consider (among other relevant things) whether or not and why responsibility for the injury should be imposed on the party who was in breach of the duty. 305E Onus of proof In deciding liability for a breach of a duty, the worker always bears the onus of proving, on the balance of probabilities, any fact relevant to the issue of causation. Division 4 Contributory negligence 305F Standard of care in relation to contributory negligence (1) The principles that are applicable in deciding whether a person has breached a duty also apply in deciding whether the worker who sustained an injury has been guilty of Page Act No. 24
21 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] contributory negligence in failing to take precautions against the risk of that injury. (2) For that purpose (a) (b) the standard of care required of the person who sustained an injury is that of a reasonable person in the position of that person; and the matter is to be decided on the basis of what that person knew or ought reasonably to have known at the time. 305G Contributory negligence can defeat claim In deciding the extent of a reduction in damages by reason of contributory negligence, a court may decide a reduction of 100% if the court considers it just and equitable to do so, with the result that the claim for damages is defeated. 305I Meaning of obvious risk for s 305H (1) For section 305H, an obvious risk to a worker who sustains an injury is a risk that, in the circumstances, would have been obvious to a reasonable person in the position of the worker. (2) Obvious risks include risks that are patent or a matter of common knowledge. (3) A risk of something occurring can be an obvious risk even though it has a low probability of occurring. (4) A risk can be an obvious risk even if the risk (or a condition or circumstance that gives rise to the risk) is not prominent, conspicuous or physically observable. (5) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a risk from a thing, including a living thing, is not an obvious risk if the risk is created because of a failure on the part of a person to properly operate, maintain, replace, prepare or care for the thing, unless the failure itself is an obvious risk Act No. 24 Page 19
22 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] 305J Presumption of contributory negligence if person who suffers injury is intoxicated (1) This section applies if a worker who sustained an injury was intoxicated at the time of the breach of duty giving rise to a claim for damages and contributory negligence is alleged against the worker. (2) Contributory negligence will, subject to this section, be presumed. (3) The worker may only rebut the presumption by establishing on the balance of probabilities (a) that the intoxication did not contribute to the breach of duty; or (b) that the intoxication was not self-induced. (4) Unless the worker rebuts the presumption of contributory negligence, the court must assess damages on the basis that the damages to which the worker would be entitled in the absence of contributory negligence are to be reduced, on account of contributory negligence, by 25% or a greater percentage decided by the court to be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. (5) If, in the case of a motor vehicle accident, the worker who sustained an injury was the driver of a motor vehicle involved in the accident and the evidence establishes (a) that the concentration of alcohol in the worker s blood was 150mg or more of alcohol in 100mL of blood; or (b) that the worker was so much under the influence of alcohol or a drug as to be incapable of exercising effective control of the vehicle; the minimum reduction prescribed by subsection (4) is increased to 50%. Page Act No. 24
23 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] Part 9 Assessment of damages Division 1 Interpretation 306 Definitions for pt 9 In this part future loss means all or any of the following (a) future economic loss; (b) future general expenses; (c) future medical expenses. general damages means damages for all or any of the following (a) pain and suffering; (b) loss of amenities of life; (c) loss of expectation of life; (d) disfigurement. loss of earnings means (a) past economic loss due to loss of earnings or the deprivation or impairment of earning capacity; and (b) future economic loss due to loss of prospective earnings or the deprivation or impairment of prospective earning capacity. 306A Provisions not to apply to particular injuries (1) The provisions of this part other than division 2, division 3, subdivision 1 and division 4 do not apply in relation to deciding awards of damages for injury if the injury resulting from the breach of duty is or includes (a) an injury that is a dust-related condition; or 2010 Act No. 24 Page 21
24 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] (b) an injury resulting from smoking or other use of tobacco products or exposure to tobacco smoke. (2) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a breach of duty mentioned in subsection (1) includes a breach of duty giving rise to a dependency claim. Division 3 Assessment of damages Subdivision 2 Other provisions 306I Damages for loss of earnings (1) In making an award of damages for loss of earnings, including in a dependency claim, the maximum award a court may make is for an amount equal to the limit fixed by subsection (2). (2) The limit is an amount equal to the present value of 3 times QOTE per week for each week of the period of loss of earnings. (3) In this section present value means the value when the award is made. 306J When earnings can not be precisely calculated (1) This section applies if a court is considering making an award of damages for loss of earnings that are unable to be precisely calculated by reference to a defined weekly loss. (2) The court may only award damages if it is satisfied that the worker has suffered or will suffer loss having regard to the person s age, work history, actual loss of earnings, any permanent impairment and any other relevant matters. (3) If the court awards damages, the court must state the assumptions on which the award is based and the methodology it used to arrive at the award. Page Act No. 24
25 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] (4) The limitation mentioned in section 306I(2) applies to an award of damages under this section. 306L Discount rate to be applied in calculating the present value of future loss (1) This section applies if (a) (b) a person is to be compensated for future loss; and an actuarial multiplier is to be used to calculate the present value of future loss. (2) A discount rate of 5% is to be applied in deciding the actuarial multiplier. 306M Damages for loss of consortium or loss of servitium (1) A court must not award damages for loss of consortium or loss of servitium unless (a) the injured worker died as a result of injuries sustained; or (b) general damages for the injured worker are assessed (before allowing for contributory negligence) at the amount prescribed under a regulation for this provision, or more. Note Under section 306V, the Minister must make a recommendation about the amount to be prescribed. (2) The court must not assess damages for loss of servitium above the limit fixed by subsection (3). (3) The limit is 3 times QOTE per week. (4) Section 10(3) does not apply to the reference to damages in subsection (1) Act No. 24 Page 23
26 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] 306N Interest (1) A court can not order the payment of interest on an award for general damages. (2) Interest awarded on damages compensating past monetary loss (a) must not be more than interest at the appropriate rate; and (b) must be related in an appropriate way to the period over which the loss was incurred. (3) The appropriate rate is the rate for 10 year Treasury bonds published by the Reserve Bank of Australia under Interest rates and yields capital market as at the beginning of the quarter in which the award of interest is made. Example of calculation of interest for this section Suppose that past monetary loss consists of medical expenses that have been incurred at a uniform rate over a particular period. The interest to be awarded would be calculated under the following formula A = am/100 x p x 0.5 where A is the amount of the award of interest. a is a percentage rate decided by the court subject to the limit fixed in subsection (2). m is the aggregate of the medical expenses. p is the period over which the medical expenses have been incurred (expressed in years). 306O Assessment by court of injury scale (1) If general damages are to be awarded by a court in relation to an injury, the court must assess an injury scale value as follows (a) the worker s total general damages must be assigned a numerical value (injury scale value) on a scale running from 0 to 100; Page Act No. 24
27 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (b) (c) [s 21] the scale reflects 100 equal gradations of general damages, from a case in which an injury is not severe enough to justify any award of general damages to a case in which an injury is of the gravest conceivable kind; in assessing the injury scale value, the court must (i) (ii) assess the injury scale value under any rules provided under a regulation; and have regard to the injury scale values given to similar injuries in previous proceedings. (2) If a court assesses an injury scale value for a particular injury to be more or less than any injury scale value prescribed for or attributed to similar particular injuries under subsection (1)(c), the court must state the factors on which the assessment is based that justify the assessed injury scale value. 306P Calculation of general damages (1) For an injury, general damages must be calculated by reference to the general damages calculation provisions applying to the period within which the injury was sustained. (2) In this section general damages calculation provisions, applying to a period, means the provisions prescribed for the period under a regulation. Division 4 Structured settlements 306Q Definition for div 4 In this division structured settlement means an agreement providing for the payment of all or part of an award of damages in the form of periodic payments funded by an annuity or other agreed means Act No. 24 Page 25
28 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] 306R Court required to inform parties of proposed award (1) The purpose of this section is to enable the court to give the parties to a proceeding a reasonable opportunity to negotiate a structured settlement. (2) A court that decides to make an award for future loss (not including interest) of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation for this section must first notify all the parties to the proceeding of the terms of the award it proposes to make. Note Under section 306V, the Minister must make a recommendation about the amount to be prescribed. 306S Court may make consent order for structured settlement A court may, on the application of the parties to a claim for damages, make an order approving of or in the terms of a structured settlement even though the payment of damages is not in the form of a lump sum award of damages. 306T Obligation of legal practitioners to provide advice A lawyer engaged by the worker must advise the worker, in writing, about the following if the worker proposes to negotiate a settlement of a claim for damages (a) the availability of structured settlements; (b) the desirability of the worker obtaining independent financial advice about structured settlements and lump sum settlements of the claim. 306U Offer of structured settlement legal costs (1) The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, chapter 9, part 5 extends to an offer of compromise by way of a structured settlement on a claim for damages. (2) In that case, the court is to have regard to the cost to the defendant of the proposed structured settlement as compared Page Act No. 24
29 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 21] to the lump sum payment of damages when deciding whether a reasonable offer of compromise has been made. Division 5 Indexation provisions 306V Indexation of particular amounts (1) The Minister must, on or before 1 July 2011 and on or before 1 July in each succeeding year, recommend to the Governor in Council the amounts that are to be prescribed under a regulation for or under the following provisions (a) section 306M; (b) section 306P, definition general damages calculation provisions; (c) section 306R. (2) The amount recommended for or under the provision is to be the amount last prescribed under a regulation for or under the provision adjusted by the percentage change in QOTE over the 4 quarters preceding the date of the recommendation and rounded to the nearest ten dollar. (3) However, if the percentage change in QOTE over the 4 quarters preceding the date of the recommendation would reduce the amount prescribed for or under the provision or result in no change to the amount, the Minister need not make a recommendation. (4) If the percentage change in QOTE mentioned in subsection (2) is not available from the Australian Statistician, the Minister must advise the Governor in Council accordingly. (5) If the Minister advises the Governor in Council of the unavailability of the percentage change under subsection (4), the amount prescribed for or under the provision is the amount decided by the Governor in Council. (6) A regulation notified in the gazette after 1 July in a year and specifying a date that is before the date it is notified as the 2010 Act No. 24 Page 27
30 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 22] date from which the amount prescribed for the provision is to apply has effect from the specified date. (7) Subsection (6) applies despite the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, section 32. (8) This section does not limit the power of the Governor in Council to amend the amount prescribed under a regulation for a limit.. 22 Amendment and relocation of s 307 (Contributory negligence) (1) Section 307(1)(f) renumber as section 307(1)(g). (2) Section 307(1) insert (f) undertook an activity involving obvious risk or failed, at the material time, so far as was practicable, to take account of obvious risk; or. (3) Section 307 insert (3) Without limiting subsection (2), subsection (1)(f) does not limit the discretion of a court to make a finding of contributory negligence if the worker (a) undertook an activity involving risk that was less than obvious; or (b) failed, at the material time, so far as was practicable, to take account of risk that was less than obvious.. (4) Section 307 relocate and renumber as section 305H in chapter 5, part 8, division 4 (as inserted by section 21). Page Act No. 24
31 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Amendment and relocation of ch 5, pt 10 (No right to damages for particular services) (1) Part 10, heading, Part 10 omit, insert Subdivision 1. (2) Section 308, heading, pt 10 omit, insert sdiv 1. (3) Section 308, part omit, insert subdivision. (4) Section 308A, heading, pt 10 omit, insert sdiv 1. (5) Section 308A, part omit, insert subdivision. (6) Sections 308 to 308E renumber as sections 306C to 306H. (7) Part 10, as amended by this section relocate as chapter 5, part 9, division 3, subdivision 1. [s 23] 24 Amendment and relocation of ch 5, pt 11 (Exemplary damages) (1) Chapter 5, part 11, heading, Part 11 omit, insert Division 2. (2) Section Act No. 24 Page 29
32 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 25] renumber as section 306B. (3) Chapter 5, part 11, as amended by this section relocate as chapter 5, part 9, division Amendment of s 311 (Principles about orders as to costs) Section 311, has assessed omit, insert dismisses the claim, makes no award of damages or makes an award of. 26 Amendment of s 312 (Costs if written final offer by claimant) (1) Section 312(1)(b) omit, insert (b) the court later awards an amount of damages to the claimant that is equal to or more than the written final offer; and. (2) Section (2), from, unless omit, 27 Amendment of s 313 (Costs if written offer by insurer) (1) Section 313(1)(b) omit, insert (b) the claim is dismissed, the court makes no award of damages or makes an award of damages that is equal to or less than the insurer s written final offer; and. (2) Section 313(2), from unless to the court omit, insert The court. Page Act No. 24
33 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 28] 28 Amendment of s 316 (Principles about orders as to costs) (1) Section 316(2), and the court later awards damages to the worker omit. (2) Section 316(2)(a), if the amount of damages awarded omit, insert if the court later awards an amount of damages to the worker that. (3) Section 316(2)(b), the amount of damages awarded omit, insert the court later dismisses the worker s claim, makes no award of damages or awards an amount of damages that. (4) Section 316(3), If the omit, insert If an. (5) Section 316(4) to (6) omit. 29 Insertion of new ch 5, pt 12, div 2A After section 316 insert Division 2A Costs when offers made for a contribution claim 316A Principles about order as to costs (1) This section applies to the extent proceedings in a court relate to a contribution claim. (2) Subsections (3) to (5) apply if the contributor or other party (including an insurer) made an offer that was not accepted Act No. 24 Page 31
34 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 30] (3) If the court later awards an amount of contribution that is equal to or more than the other party s written final offer, the court must order the contributor to pay the other party s costs on the indemnity basis from the day the written final offer was made. (4) If the court later (a) (b) (c) dismisses the contribution claim; or makes no award for the contribution; or makes an award of contribution of an amount that is equal to or less than the contributor s written final offer; the court must order the other party to pay the contributor s costs on the standard basis from the day the written final offer was made. (5) If an award of contribution is less than the other party s written final offer but more than the contributor s written final offer, each party bears the party s own costs. (6) This section applies to a written final offer whether or not it is made as a separate offer or as part of a joint or consolidated offer. (7) In this section written final offer means a written final offer under section Omission of s 317 (Application of div 3) Section 317 omit. 31 Amendment of s 318 (Costs if proceedings could have been brought in a lower court) Section 318 insert (2) This section applies to all claimants.. Page Act No. 24
35 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Insertion of new ss 318A 318E [s 32] After section 318 insert 318A General application of costs provisions in part (1) A court may make no order about costs to which division 1, 2 or 2A applies except the orders for costs provided for in the division. (2) Subsection (1) applies subject to this division. 318B Court may make an alternative order in particular circumstances (1) Subsection (2) applies to an order for costs a court is required to make under the following sections (a prescribed order) (a) section 312(2); (b) 313(2); (c) 316A(3) or (4). (2) The court may make an order for costs other than the prescribed order if the party ordered to pay costs shows the other order is appropriate in the circumstances. (3) Subsection (4) applies if an award of damages is affected by factors that were not reasonably foreseeable by a party at the time of making or failing to accept a written final offer. (4) The court may, if satisfied that it is just to do so, make an order for costs under divisions 1, 2 or 2A as if the reference to a written final offer or a failure to accept a written final offer were a reference to a later offer made, or a failure to accept a later offer made, in the light of the factors that became apparent after the parties completed the exchange of written final offers. Example A claimant s medical condition suddenly and unexpectedly deteriorates after the date of the written final offers and the court makes a much higher award of damages than would have been reasonably expected at 2010 Act No. 24 Page 33
36 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 33] that time. In that case, the court may ignore the written final offers and award costs on the basis of later offers of settlement. 318C Costs order under div 2 for an interlocutory application An order about costs for an interlocutory application may be made under division 2 only if the court is satisfied that the application has been brought because of unreasonable delay by 1 of the parties. 318D Order for costs if more than 1 person liable for the same costs If more than 1 party in a proceeding for damages has a liability to pay the same costs under this part, or under this part and another law about costs, the court may apportion the costs payable by each party according to the proportion of liability of the parties and the justice of the case. 318E Order for costs if an entity was not a party at the compulsory conference If an entity other than a defendant that participated in a compulsory conference is joined as a defendant in a proceedings for damages, the court may make an order about costs in favour of, or against, the entity according to the proportion of liability of the defendants and the justice of the case.. 33 Insertion of new ch 26 After section 662 insert Page Act No. 24
37 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 33] Chapter 26 Transitional provisions for the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act Definitions for ch 26 In this chapter amending Act means the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act amending section means a section of the amending Act that amends this Act. new, in relation to a provision, means the provision as inserted or amended by the amending Act. old, in relation to a provision, means the provision as it existed before being amended or omitted by the amending Act. 664 Existing excess period insurance protected New section 67 has no effect on a policy of insurance entered into under old section 67 but applies to all insurance entered with WorkCover after the commencement of new section Reinsurance New section 86 applies to any reinsurance that happens after the commencement of amending section Compensation on death of worker under 21 New section 202(1)(b) only applies if a worker dies as a result of an injury sustained after the commencement of amending section Act No. 24 Page 35
38 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 33] 667 Responsibility for worker s rehabilitation New sections 220 and 221 have effect in relation to any injured worker from the commencement of amending sections 9 and Provisions about conferences, offers and costs (1) This section applies for the application of each provision as amended or inserted by a relevant amending section in relation to a claim made by a claimant and in existence immediately before the commencement of the relevant amending section. (2) The provision as amended or inserted has effect in relation to the claim if, before the commencement of the relevant amending section (a) the claimant has not started proceedings in a court for the claim; and (b) the compulsory conference required under chapter 5, part 6 has not been held. (3) In this section relevant amending section means (a) section 17; or (b) section 25; or (c) section 26; or (d) section 27; or (e) section 28; or (f) section 29; or (g) section 32. Page Act No. 24
39 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act Provisions about, civil liability and assessment of damages [s 33] (1) Subsection (2) applies in relation to the following provisions (a) provisions inserted by section 21; (b) new section 305H(1)(f) and (3) inserted by section 22. (2) The provisions only apply in relation to (a) an injury sustained by a worker after the commencement of the provisions; or (b) an injury sustained by a worker before the commencement of the provisions if (i) the injury is a latent onset injury diagnosed after the commencement of the provisions; or (ii) the injury is (A) an injury to which section 235A applies; and (B) the worker first consulted a relevant health practitioner after the commencement of the provision.. (3) To remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (2) does not affect a provision that is, or to the extent that it is, only renumbered and relocated into part 8 or part 9 by the amending Act. (4) In this section relevant health practitioner means a relevant health practitioner as defined under section 235A. 670 Amendment of regulations under Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 The amendment of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2003 or the Civil Liability Regulation 2003 under the amending Act does not affect the 2010 Act No. 24 Page 37
40 Part 2 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 [s 34] power of the Governor in Council to further amend the regulation or to repeal it.. 34 Amendment of sch 6 (Dictionary) (1) Schedule 6, definition contribution claim omit. (2) Schedule 6 insert contribution claim, for chapter 5, see section 233. contributory negligence see the Law Reform Act 1995, section 10. dependency claim means a claim in relation to a fatal injury brought on behalf of a deceased s dependants or estate. dust-related condition see the Civil Liability Act 2003, schedule 2. duty, for chapter 5, part 8, see section 305. duty of care, for chapter 5, part 8, see section 305. future loss for chapter 5, part 9, see section 306. general damages, for chapter 5, part 9, see section 306. injury scale value see section 306O. intoxicated, in relation to a person, means that the person is under the influence of alcohol or a drug to the extent that the person s capacity to exercise proper care and skill is impaired. loss of earnings for chapter 5, part 9, see section 306. obvious risk, for section 305H, see section 305I. offer, for chapter 5, see section 233. structured settlement, for chapter 5, part 9, division 4, see section 306Q.. Page Act No. 24
41 [s 35] Part 3 Amendment of Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation Regulation amended This part and the schedule amend the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation Amendment of s 3 (Definitions) (1) Section 3, definitions AMA guide and ophthalmologists guide omit. (2) Section 3 insert AMA 4 means the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (4th edition) published by the American Medical Association. injured worker means a worker who sustained an injury. ophthalmologists guide means the publication Percentage Incapacity A Guide for Members published by the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists in Editor s note The ophthalmologists guide is available on the Authority s website at <www.qcomp.com.au> and a copy may be obtained at the Authority s office at 347 Ann Street, Brisbane.. (3) Section 3, definition further premium, paragraph (g), after Act insert as in force immediately before the commencement of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010, section 36. (4) Section 3, definition lower extremity, guide 2010 Act No. 24 Page 39