This page has been reviewed by Kerry Splatt, Principal Lawyer and QLD Accredited Specialist Personal Injury Lawyer for more than 25 years.
Our Brisbane work injury lawyers provide QLD-wide legal advice for workers’ compensation claims on a 100% no-win, no-fee basis for the following situations:
If you were injured in a Brisbane workplace accident, experienced work injury lawyers offer legal support for negotiations with the insurer (usually WorkCover QLD).
Our legal team (based in Fortitude Valley) can explain eligibility to claim compensation for work-related injuries to residents of the Greater Brisbane region, from Burpengary to Beenleigh and beyond.
Splatt Lawyers is a Brisbane-based WorkCover law firm offering QLD-wide personal injury legal services on a 100% no-win, no-fee basis, with no upfront costs or hidden fees. This means you pay when you win and nothing if you lose.
Our obligation-free consultation means it costs nothing to know your entitlements under the QLD workers’ compensation scheme. Call 1800 700 125
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Most workers in Queensland are covered by the workers’ compensation scheme, regardless of how the injury happened or who was at fault.
If you suffer a work injury in Queensland (or while working for a company based in our state) and your job plays a significant role, the law protects your right to seek personal injury compensation by making a WorkCover claim.
Based on how the accident occurred, you may be covered by:
You may be eligible to claim if:
Your employment status does not prevent you from claiming. The scheme covers:
WorkCover also helps the dependents and loved ones of someone who suffers serious harm and is a casualty of a work incident.
Not sure if you qualify? Eligibility depends on how the injury occurred and your employment arrangement. It’s free to know where you stand.
Call 1800 700 125 for a free eligibility assessment.
Experienced workers’ compensation lawyers advise on the entire legal process. They focus on your rights so you can secure fair compensation.
Kerry Splatt (our law firm Principal) has held the highest recognition available in personal injury law in Queensland since 1998.
Accredited Specialist status is awarded by the Queensland Law Society to experienced personal injury lawyers who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and skill. About 5% of QLD lawyers have this accreditation.
The legal team at Splatt Lawyers Brisbane can explain the complex process of work-related personal injury compensation claims during a free consultation. As seen in:
Under the Queensland Workers’ Compensation Scheme, an injured person can claim legal damages for physical or psychological harm in the workplace.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers’ knowledge of work injury legislation means they understand the legal process, including how to deal with the workers’ compensation insurer. They provide the following services:
A statutory claim is a no-fault claim made through WorkCover Queensland. You do not need to prove your employer was negligent. If your injury is work-related, you are generally entitled to benefits.
Statutory claim benefits can include:
You can start the claim process by lodging a work accident report with your employer and then submitting a claim form with Workcover.
A common law claim offers more options for injured workers. This type of personal injury case may be available when a workplace injury is caused by employer negligence or the negligence of a third-party.
Common law damages consider a broader range of economic and non-economic damages and can include compensation for:
You may have a WPI assessment of your psychological condition or physical injuries at the end of the claim process, which will provide a DPI rating. This rating has a direct impact on the amount of a permanent impairment payout and your legal options.
At the end of the claims process, WorkCover Queensland may send you a lump sum offer as a final settlement of your claim. What you do next will determine if you can access all your compensation entitlements.
That’s because you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim, which could result in a larger award than WorkCover’s initial offer.
Splatt Lawyers offers obligation-free advice about lump sum offers following a work-related injury.
Our Brisbane work injury lawyers handle the full range of workplace injuries and illnesses, including:
Injury Type | Examples |
|---|---|
Physical injuries | Back and spinal injuries, shoulder tears, fractures, knee injuries, head and neck injuries, eye injuries, burns |
Psychological injuries | Work stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, nervous shock, burnout |
Occupational disease | Industrial deafness, repetitive strain, occupational asthma, COPD |
Workplace accidents | Falls from height, machinery accidents, vehicle incidents, construction site injuries |
Bullying and harassment | Psychological harm caused by workplace bullying, sexual harassment, or discrimination |
Car accidents | All types of road accidents while travelling to or from work or for work purposes |
Malfunctioning machines can cause serious workplace injuries, and lifting injuries are a common type of workplace claim in Queensland.
These accidents often happen in major industrial areas like the South West Industrial Gateway and Northern suburbs such as Geebung, Virginia and Banyo.
We also assist workers in high-risk industries, including mining and construction, transport, healthcare, and hospitality.
Lifting injuries often occur in aged care facilities and large hospitals such as Royal Brisbane in Herston and the Mater Hospital in Woolloongabba.
For more detail on specific injury types, see our pages on back injury at work claims, workplace bullying compensation, and WorkCover psychological injury claims.
Strict time limits apply to work injury claims in Queensland. Missing a deadline can mean losing your right to compensation entirely.
Claim Type | Time Limit |
|---|---|
WorkCover statutory claim | 6 months from the date of injury or diagnosis |
WorkCover statutory claim (incapacity assessed) | 20 business days from when a doctor first assesses you as unfit for work |
Common law claim | 3 years from the date of injury (a Notice of Claim for Damages must be lodged) |
Limited circumstances allow an extension, but it is not guaranteed. The safest approach is to seek legal advice as early as possible.
If you are unsure whether your time limit has passed, speak with one of our Brisbane work injury lawyers before assuming you have missed out. Call 1800 700 125 for a free assessment.
For a full breakdown of claim deadlines, see our personal injury claim time limits guide.
Experienced Brisbane lawyers are familiar with local medical experts and procedures and can better assist with legal advice for claims.
The WorkCover compensation process involves complex claims, which can make it hard to access all your benefits. Here is when a work accident lawyer can help.
At Splatt Lawyers, you can learn your rights for free. Call 1800 700 125
See a doctor as soon as possible after your injury. Tell your treating practitioner the injury is work-related.
Report workplace injuries to your employer within 30 days by completing an incident report. Keep a copy for your records.
Submit your claim to WorkCover Queensland (or your employer’s self-insurer if applicable). You will need:
Important: WorkCover Queensland must decide on your claim within 20 business days. If no written decision is provided within 28 days, your claim is automatically accepted.
Once your condition has stabilised, WorkCover may issue a Notice of Assessment for a lump sum for permanent impairment. At that point, seek legal advice before accepting any offer.
If your employer’s negligence caused your injury, a work injury lawyer can assess whether you can make a common law claim for additional damages.
For more on the process, see our guide to workers’ compensation benefits and our step-by-step workers’ compensation claims guide.
Your finances can be compromised when you are injured at work due. Paying a personal injury lawyer’s fees is probably not your top priority when you have medical treatment expenses and other bills.
Splatt Lawyers offer advice under a 100% no-win, no-fee arrangement, which means you don’t pay legal costs or fees until you receive a lump sum payment. Our No Financial Risk guarantee means the following:
Our funding policy also covers public liability claims and motor vehicle accidents.
Splatt Lawyers is a no-win, no-fee law firm that works with the QLD work-injury insurer daily. We can explain your rights for free. Call 1800 700 125
Workers’ compensation is an insurance scheme that provides a safety net for workers if they’re injured or become sick due to work. All Queensland employers must have this “no-fault” insurance, which protects injured employees from suffering a financial loss because of a workplace accident.
How much lump sum compensation you receive depends on the nature and severity of your injury, your pre-injury earnings, and whether negligence is involved. Weekly payments are generally up to 85% of your normal weekly earnings for the first 26 weeks. Common law lump-sum settlements can be substantially higher.
The components of work injury claim payouts include the following factors:
Dependents of a deceased worker can receive a lump sum settlement plus funeral expenses.
Use our work injury claim calculator for a general estimate, then speak with a Brisbane work injury lawyer for an accurate assessment of your specific situation. Call 1800 700 125
Yes. The Queensland workers’ compensation scheme covers full-time, part-time, and casual employees. Your employment status does not affect your right to claim.
Psychological injuries caused by workplace bullying, harassment, or chronic work stress are covered under Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme. See our page on workplace bullying and harassment compensation for more information.
WorkCover must decide a statutory claim within 20 business days of lodgement. However, the overall claim process, including common law negotiations, typically takes between 6 and 18 months, depending on the complexity of the injury and the insurer’s conduct.
See our guide on how long a personal injury claim takes.
WorkCover may provide compensation, including:
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer provides legal representation for negotiations with the employer’s insurer regarding WorkCover entitlements. They can help you achieve a fair outcome.
When negotiations fail, a WorkCover lawyer can initiate legal proceedings in court for pursues your workers’ compensation entitlements.
Case studies from Queensland Court Judgments
Gairns v Pro Music Pty Ltd
The claimant was a long-time employee of Pro Music Pty Ltd in Mica Street, Carole Park. He suffered a psychological injury when he was demoted suddenly in a manner that the court found was unreasonable.
The person making the claim was employed as an internal sales supervisor. Just before the end of the work day one day, the managing director called him into an urgent meeting. He was told that he was being demoted the next week and his pay would be reduced. The claimant questioned whether this was legal, and the MD became angry and raised his voice.
He suffered worsening of a pre-existing panic disorder and an ongoing aggravation of a pre-existing anxiety disorder.
ISV Rating: 3
Final judgement: $301,197.00 after WorkCover refund
| Head of damage | Amount |
| General damages | $4,350 |
| Past economic loss | $186,000 |
| Interest on past economic loss | $9,820 |
| Fox v Wood | $20,028 |
| Past loss of superannuation | $18,600 |
| Future economic loss | $130,000 |
| Future loss of superannuation | $14,690 |
| Special damages | $7,279 |
| Future out-of-pocket expenses | $5,000 |
| Total | $395,767 |
Hunter v Alliance Airlines: Queensland Supreme Court
The claimant worked as a flight attendant and cabin manager for Alliance Airlines, which is based at 81 Pandanus Ave, Brisbane Airport, QLD 4008.
As part of the pre-flight security check, she had to move the catering carts from where they were stored in the forward galley. She hurt herself in the small space between the galley storage units when she twisted and pulled to free a catering cart that was stuck in place.
Kerr v Greenborough Pty Limited – Brisbane District Court
The claimant worked as an experienced electrician on the Chatswood Hills Tavern project on Magellan Road, Springwood. He fell onto concrete while working on electrical wires at ceiling height from a seven-foot-tall aluminium ladder.
This claim arose before the introduction of ISV scales under the QLD Civil Liability Act 2003. This is what the Court found:
Because of this, the claimant was assigned 15% contributory negligence, which reduced total compensation to $89,008.21
You can struggle to pay your bills when you suffer a workplace injury or illness, regardless of whether it was in an Archerfield warehouse at the Port of Brisbane, a CBD office, or at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. But Queensland employees have the right to recover financial losses caused by others’ negligence.
Splatt’s Brisbane personal injury lawyers provide legal advice regarding the claim process for WorkCover compensation on a 100% no win, no fee basis. Our team of workers’ compensation lawyers provide a free case evaluation. Call 1800 700 125
Our work injury lawyers serve clients across Brisbane, including the CBD, inner suburbs, and the greater Brisbane region. We also operate across Queensland, with offices in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Caboolture, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Cairns, and Townsville.
Splatt’s workers’ compensation lawyers provide legal advice for workers’ compensation claims from ten QLD-wide locations.
A WorkCover lawyer is a legal professional who provides legal advice for workers’ compensation claims and manages the entire process.
Under most workers’ compensation schemes (including Queensland’s), you can claim workers’ compensation for injuries sustained during work hours and some trips relating to your job.
Most Queensland companies have WorkCover coverage for workplace accident insurance. If your company is self-insured, you must contact its insurer to make an occupational injury claim.
Your employer cannot discourage you from seeking legal advice about your right to file a claim for a work-related injury.
You have the right to appeal a rejected WorkCover claim. You must apply to the Workers Compensation Regulator within 3 months of receiving the decision. Strict deadlines apply, so seek legal advice immediately if your claim is rejected.
In Australia, Workcover lawyers typically provide legal services on a “no win, no fee” basis, meaning they’ll only receive payment for a successful outcome.
The Queensland Law Society regulates the fees for work injury lawyers.
In Queensland, weekly payments under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 can continue for up to 5 years.
The extent of your injuries and your recovery time will determine how long you receive workers’ compensation benefits.
The Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 states that the maximum compensation for work injuries is 216.15 times a QLD adult’s full-time ordinary earnings, also known as the QOTE.
According to WorkSafe QLD, the QOTE is $1,994.50 from 1 July 2026 for financial year 2026-2027, and the maximum statutory payout is this amount multiplied by 216.15, which equals $431,111.17.
In Queensland, you do not need a lawyer to lodge a basic statutory claim. However, a work injury lawyer becomes essential when:
An expert workers’ compensation lawyer can identify entitlements you may not know about so you can access all your entitlements.
According to data from Safe Work Australia, the most common work-related injuries are traumatic joint injuries. ligament and muscle damage and tendon injuries.
Yes, you may be eligible to claim a lump sum for work-injury damages if your employer’s negligence caused you a permanent injury.
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