If you’re a part-time employee in Victoria, you have the same workplace injury compensation rights as full-time workers. Many part-time employees miss out on the compensation they deserve simply because they don’t understand their entitlements or face challenges navigating the system.

Carbone Lawyers have helped countless part-time employees maximise their claims. With decades of experience in personal injury law, we’re committed to ensuring you get the support you’re entitled to under WorkCover.

Your WorkCover Rights as a Part-Time Employee

Victoria’s WorkCover scheme provides equal protection for all employees, including part-time and casual workers. The key difference for part-time employees is that your entitlements, such as weekly payments, are calculated on a pro-rata basis.

For example: If you usually work 20 hours per week and are unable to work due to a workplace injury, your weekly payments will reflect your average earnings, ensuring fairness.

Many part-time workers assume their reduced hours mean reduced rights, but this is far from true. WorkCover is a no-fault system, ensuring equal access to compensation for workplace injuries.

Comprehensive Compensation Under WorkCover

WorkCover offers several types of compensation to help injured part-time workers recover and return to their normal lives:

1. Weekly Payments:
   • For the first 13 weeks, you can receive up to 95% of your Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings (PIAWE).
   • After 13 weeks, up to 130 weeks (other than in some limited scenarios), payments drop to 80%, depending on your capacity to work.
     
     
2. Medical and Mental Health Support:
   • Covers reasonable costs for treatments such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and mental health services.
   • Provisional payments for mental injuries provide up to 13 weeks of treatment even if your claim is rejected.
     
     
3. Lump-Sum Benefits:
   • If your injury results in a permanent impairment, you may qualify for a one-off lump-sum payment, assessed based on the severity of your condition.
   • If there is fault on the part of the employer or some other third party, you may be able to lodge a Common Law claim for lump sum compensation for pain and suffering, and past and future economic loss.
     
     
4. Superannuation Contributions:
   • After 52 weeks of weekly payments, you may also receive superannuation contributions.

These benefits are invaluable, but successfully claiming them often requires careful attention to detail and expert guidance.

Steps to Secure Your Compensation

Filing a WorkCover claim can feel overwhelming, especially for part-time employees with irregular hours. Follow these steps to protect your rights:

• Act Quickly: Notify your employer of your injury immediately. Delays could complicate your claim.
  
  
• Get a Certificate of Capacity: This document, issued by your doctor, is essential for your claim. It outlines your injury, expected recovery time, and capacity to work.
  
  
• Submit Your Claim: Complete the WorkSafe Worker’s Injury Claim Form and provide it to your employer. They are legally required to forward it to WorkSafe.
  
  

Common Issues

• Miscalculating PIAWE for irregular work hours.
  
  
• Failing to list out all injuries.
  
  
• Failing to adequately describe the circumstances of injury. 
  
  
• Failing to gather all required documentation.
  
  

Carbone Lawyers can help ensure every aspect of your claim is handled correctly, avoiding these costly mistakes.

Support for Your Recovery and Return to Work

Returning to work after an injury is an essential part of recovery, and WorkCover ensures your employer supports this process. Employers are legally obligated to:

• Provide suitable or pre-injury employment aligned with your current capacity.
  
  
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, WorkSafe agents, and you to create a tailored return-to-work plan.
  
  

If your employer doesn’t meet these obligations or disputes your capacity, Carbone Lawyers can step in to protect your rights. Your recovery and career should never be compromised.

Why Carbone Lawyers Is Your Best Choice

Navigating WorkCover claims can be complex, and small errors can lead to delays or reduced compensation. That’s why we support part-time workers, ensuring that:

• Your claim is filed accurately and efficiently.
  
  
• You receive maximum compensation for your injury.
  
  
• Disputes or rejected claims are handled professionally.
  
  

Best of all, our No Win, No Fee policy means you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case.

Take the First Step Towards Your Compensation

WorkCover is designed to protect workers, but claiming your entitlements can be challenging without expert guidance. With Carbone Lawyers by your side, you’ll have the support and expertise needed to navigate the process confidently.

Don’t settle for less. Call us on 1800 369 888 or click below to schedule your free consultation. Let’s secure the compensation you deserve today.