topic Work cover 30% impairment assessment in Depression

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 05:46:44 GMT

I am about to undergo an assessment for whole person impairment as part of my work cover compensation case. I ve been told I need to be classified as 30% impaired and that this is difficult. My injury is psychiatric and I'm in Victoria. Has anyone been through this?

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

RoseJoy — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:35:43 GMT

I am sorry that no one has replied. I wish you good luck!

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:38:57 GMT

Thank you

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

MsPurple — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 11:30:30 GMT

HI meatloaf

Sorry sometimes users come on different times of day. Community champions are volunteers and we try be prompt, but sometimes we can't be as quick as we would like.

Sounds like you are going through a bit of stress with workcover and your inability to work. I'm not too sure what exactly 30% impairment means (I mean in the sense of what that translates to in working/everyday functioning terms). I'm also not too sure where they got this number from. Either way it sounds like it is stressing you out even more putting your at more stress, which is probably exacerbating the issue. Can be a bad cycle. I'm hoping the assessment goes well for you in the sense you are eligible.

Have you heard of the NDIS? I am not too sure of the eligibility however it maybe something to look into. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/our-sites/VIC.html I would look on the government website (see link) and maybe give them a call. Maybe ask your gp about the services as well if possible.

Hope this advice helps

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 12:36:00 GMT

yes the whole work cover process is just horrendous...it's taken 2 years to get to this point of being able to submit claim for compo....at the same time I have a TPD CLaim started...so much stress...I am receiving workcover payments monthly thankfully ...I just can't believe how long everything takes....it's like they want us to die to avoid paying out

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

MsPurple — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 04:58:37 GMT

HI meatloaf.

I know it sounds really frustrating and stressful. My mum had a car accident and had to go through TAC. It took ages to get the claim right and to get the proper work pay that she needed (it wasn't work cover even though it was in her work car, because she took a detour which in itself sucked). She was very stressed financially and physically because she couldn't work and couldn't afford to pay bills without the compensation. I remember that time and was stressed for her. But she got through. She was just persistant. She didn't call them every day or anything, but she would call once a week to remind them about her claim. It took around 2 months but it went through. Although I don't know first hand what you are going through I do see how stressful and frustrating the process is. All I can suggest is to try keep well mentally and physically and to try be persistant and make sure all the proper paperwork has been done.

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Guest_3712 — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 06:18:15 GMT

Hi Meatloaf,

I went through this process a few years ago. I had a total body impairment of 27% and was eligible for a payout and come off workers comp.

As you would know this system has been scraped i.e receiving existing compo payments and you now have to qualify over a certain percentage to receive ongoing funds. I have a dear friend who is about to be cut off in November after 5 years on w/ comp she will not meet the required % even with a debilitating physical impairment which prevents her from working .

Her options are , take it to a solicitor there are some firms already advertising on TV ive noticed alerting people that this system is changing - so check in your area.

The other option which her insurer has advised her to do is to register with Centrelink now . They will obviously try to find her a job but as she can barely stand I don't hold much hope.

Have you had a body impairment assessment done before? If not it is done by a specialist who will determine your fitness to work. Unfortunately psychiatric issues are hard to prove as grounds for inability to work. I guess you have reports from your own docs ? So ensure you keep everything you have regarding your health and ability to work in case you go the legal route- some firms have a no win no fee setup.

Good luck - I know what you are going through it is very daunting

Take Care

Stressless

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:59:08 GMT

thanks for this. I have 2 IME PYSCH, my Pych and my doctors reports all saying I'll never work again . I also have a no win no fee lawyer who us handling everything. It's just this impairment rating that's stressing me ...just another hurdle I guess...Workcover is such a horrendous experience. I'm hoping my TPD goes smoothly so at least I'll have some breathing space.

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Guest_3712 — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 09:30:22 GMT

Hey Meatloaf

It seems like you've got it all covered.

Not sure how they determine the impairment % as far as psychological issues go.

In my case my physical disabilities were enough. I understand the stress. At one point I had people following me trying to catch me doing something wrong.

I had insurance company people pressuring me to work -!luckily I had very good GP and psych who wouldn't take any crap.

The legal process of suing my employer took 3 years after I was let go.

At this point all I can tell you is stay strong - it is definitely a game . Only we the injured don't know the rules.

If you haven't already , keep every document from all parties and start a log of all communications .

Names, dates, who you spoke to , what was said all that sort of thing and get things in writing when u can.

Many times when things were in dispute or needed clarification I had to refer to my information.

Be prepared, be calm but also don't be intimidated. You are the victim and deserve compensation.

Feel free to chat anytime happy to answer questions if we can

Stressless

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 12:10:14 GMT

Thank you so much

yes I have everything in writing....I will try and stay calm good advice..there's really nothing I can do now except wait...my doctor describes it as running a marathon ...the last mile is the hardest

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Sotired — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 15:16:15 GMT

I'm in SA on WCover where it sounds like laws are similar. It sounds like you have thought ahead for legal help. I should get onto that soon!

I hope that they don't wear you to the ground, it is a horrible system where we seem to be judged guilty until proven innocent.

Take care

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 11:52:02 GMT

Just an update...my psychiatric impairment assessment took 5 mins...was asked about 3 questions....nothing about how this has all affected me...what a joke....the system is disgusting the way it treats us

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Guest_3712 — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 18:16:21 GMT

Hey Meatloaf

The system is a joke but don't give up yet. These IME's won't tell you anything - remember they are working for insurer .

So dont be discouraged- they do this all the time and most have a sucky bedside manner and give nothing away

Their report is only part of equation. They still have to take into account your GP and psych .

Hang in there - don't let the bas...,,,ds get you down

Keep me updated if you can . I'm on your side

Stressless

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

meatloaf — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 01:06:46 GMT

Thanks Stressless.....I will hang in there...my doctor and lawyer said they were not surprised...can't wait to read the report should make for a laugh or 2!

Thanks for the support ...hope you are well

😀

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Buddie1802 — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 05:15:30 GMT

Hi Meatloaf

I totally understand your frustration and I’m not the injured one....my husband injured his knee 2 & half years ago, total knee replacement done that has just not worked, he’s going to have the prosthetic removed & replaced in 3 weeks time. He’s seen a total of 9 specialist & deemed 30% WPI....we had to engage a lawyer but right now financially we are struggling & emotionally he’s been diagnosed with adjustment disorder with severe depression....he is just a shadow of his former self. As though the injury was not enough but the hoops of workerscomp red tape you have to go through is by far worse than the injury itself. As for his TPD claim it’s been 8 months and nothing from the company. Hang in there!

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Henna111 — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 12:30:21 GMT

Hi mate,

just wondering how you going with your work cover payout? I’m going through the same mess with work cover and it is very overwhelming. Before I started this journey I never thought the whole process was so intimidating and stress full. Please let me know how your claim and mental health is going.

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Samvince — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:58:52 GMT

I was wondering if anyone has received the impairment lump sum for mental health issues and ptsd . Over the 30% that’s is needed .

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Samvince — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:01:14 GMT

Hello . I hope you are doing well . My husband is in the same situation as you and I was wondering how u went with impairment and the 30% . We are waiting to have appointment with a independent medical doctor . But reqlly would like to know how u went

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

KristyStarks — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 20:07:33 GMT

Hi everyone how did you all go with this? I'm having problems with Workcover and Super and I'm just not coping with the hoops I'm being made to jump through at all. I now suffer from Fibromyalgia, PTSD, Chronic pain, Chronic fatigue, Chronic Migraines and severe major depression as a result of bullying and harassment following a workplace injury (as if the injury wasn't bad enough). How can they justify putting up through this? Surely when there's mental illness involved they should be trying to make the process easier for us. All this added stress has already caused 2 major flare ups, my PTSD symptoms to escalate as I had major issues last time with Workcover and my stress levels to sky rocket. I feel like dealing with them is going to break me. Any help or advise would be appreciated please. Also the people who contacted lawyers who did you use? I'm struggling financially and the no win no fee lawyers require you to take out an expenses loan.

I hope you are all doing much better and actually being given the time to start to heal xxx

Kristy

Work cover 30% impairment assessment

Doolhof — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 20:17:27 GMT

Hi Kristy and Samvince,

Unfortunately dealing with Work Cover can be a difficult situation to deal with. In the process a person can certainly feel like they are not acknowledged or validated.

I'm not really sure what advice to offer. Lawyer fees are expensive, sometimes they are the only answer!

The main thing for me was to find ways to keep going. To try to have moments in my life where the Work Cover issue did not dominate everything. It can feel all consuming.

I understand the struggle is real. It is hard and can be quite a process to get through.

Hope you all manage to find ways to deal with these issues.

Cheers from Dools