Workplace injury horrible rehab Comcare invalidity - can anyone help please?

[Jo999]

I have a psychological claim with Comcare that has been going on for years. I want to get away from them and out of the system, but they (and my awful employer) keep hounding me and sending me for multiple psychiatric exams and IMEs. They will not find me a job, will not give me a redundancy and will not put me forward for medical invalidity. I am just kept in constant limbo. The rehab consultants ignore all the medical advice and have not been able to find me a job. I have found the rehabilitation consultants to be the most useless nastiest pieces of work. They act like policemen telling me everyday to call up friends and beg for a job. They told me to do charity begging work even though I have poor social skills and anxiety. I am unable to approach people and beg for money. After 10 years of this ongoing crap, I am very unwell and don't know what to do anymore. Comcare said if I try to challenge anything or don't do what they say, they can go back and raise a debt against me for 10 years of payments (hundreds of thousands of dollars) so I am in a nightmare with no way out. Has anyone been through this? Can anyone offer advice or assistance as I need help. My anxiety is extreme and my doctor has prescribed sleeping pills to help me sleep as I lie away all night worrying. I am likely to end up jobless, cut off all benefits, and homeless, and the thought just makes me cry.

[Sophie_M]

Dear Jo999,

Welcome to our forum community. We're so sorry to hear about what you've been going through - it sounds like you've had a long and stressful journey. We hear that you are feeling high anxiety and understand how overwhelming that can be. We're so glad to hear that you are actively seeking help and are being supported by a doctor.

Please know that you aren't alone in this. We have sent you a private message to offer some additional support. Hopefully some of our community members will have some helpful advice to offer from experiences of their own.

Please feel free to keep reaching out to our friendly community here and keep us updated on your journey. 
 

[Jo999]

Is there anyone who has personal experience dealing with workers compensation and Comcare?

[Reflection]

Hi,

Workers comp, yes, comcare - no. I have had a little to do with workers comp, but if you're looking for that exact combination, I'm not it. I will say this about workers comp, it's a painful time - you already know this. If you have your self a good lawyer then they should be taking calls and organising things for you. there should be limited involvement directly from your employer to you. If that isn't in place, then consider working on finding a lawyer and a good one at that. A good one will run interference so that comcare can't just harass you constantly. I have been to the IMEs and the like that you mention, just for different reasons, it really is a nightmare. It does end. If you're looking for general consideration, I would say, find a lawyer.

Best of luck

Reflection.

[Kellie]

Hi Jo999,

Yes! I have 17 years experience as a Comcare client.

I have been looking for someone to speak to that is going through the same or similar experience for a good few years now! I came across your post and joined Beyond Blue so I could respond to your post.

Hoping that you see my response given your post was awhile ago.

Would be great to chat more.

[Jo999]

Hello Kellie,

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier and that I haven't responded earlier - with the last few years I have withdrawn a lot.

How are you going?   Has your Comcare matter resolved?

Happy to chat further if you would like

[Kellie]

Hi Jo,

I understand the withdrawing behaviours as I do this too.

I’m okay, thank you. How are you?

I was medically retired in 2015 but Comcare are still (unfortunately) involved in my life. How is your case going?
I’ve been logging in every few months to see if you had replied. I’ve thought for a long time now that a support group for psychological injury involving Comcare would be very helpful. Happy to chat more if you would like. Also conscious that this is a forum where others can see our posts so didn’t want to ask too many questions.

It’s great to connect with you!

[C_R_C]

My mothers experience with Comcare was horrific, she suffered from auto-immune conditions, stress of which was one of the major triggers, she would consistently break down into extreme meltdowns of tears & anxiety when talking to the claims managers. 

Unfortunately she died recently, so I am hoping to start a royal commission into Comcare. 

[Kellie]

I’m sorry to hear about your mother, though it is not surprising to hear about her experience with Comcare. I would be interested to know more about the work you are doing regarding a Royal Commission into Comcare. Perhaps in a less public forum?

[section19src]

Comcare is so useless I have to teach them how to apply the SRC Act just to get my claim right