Injuries and claims
When a worker is injured at work, the employer, worker and insurer all have responsibilities to ensure that the worker can recover and return to work safely and as soon as practicable.
In the event that a worker sustains a workplace injury or illness it is the employer’s responsibility to assist the injured worker with seeking first aid or medical treatment.
An injured worker is entitled to nominate their own treating doctor or medical practitioner who will be responsible for a medical assessment of their injury, providing them with a medical certificate of capacity and medical treatment if required.
Employers
Employers must notify NT WorkSafe as soon as practicable if the incident is notifiable. NT WorkSafe will provide an incident notification reference number at the time of calling. This notification is different to a workers' compensation claim.
If a worker loses income or requires treatment as a result of their workplace injury and wants to claim compensation, they need to fill in and lodge a 'workers' compensation claim form' with the employer.
If the injured worker needs to claim for loss of income, they will need to give the employer a medical certificate of capacity completed and signed by the workers treating doctor or medical practitioner. The medical certificate of capacity - first certificate can cover up to the first 14 days of work capacity and should be provided to the employer with a completed and signed 'workers' compensation claim form'.
The claim form is in two parts - the first is required to be completed by the injured worker (or someone on their behalf) and the second part is required to be completed by the employer.
The injured worker must sign the worker's authority to release medical and relevant personal information and declaration at the end of part one on the claim form for the claim to be valid.
Once an injured worker has lodged a completed and signed 'workers' compensation claim form', the employer has three working days to complete and sign part two of the form and forward it to their insurer.
Employers should remain in communication with their injured worker to find out about any time away from work that the worker needs and any assistance they may need to return to work, which could include reduced hours or modifications to their normal duties or work area.
An employer should:
- If the workplace injury was the result of a reportable incident, report the incident to NT WorkSafe.
- Acknowledge they have received a claim form in writing and give the injured worker a copy of the claim form once they have completed and signed part two.
- Lodge the completed claim form with their insurer within three working days of receiving it from the injured worker.
- Plan the return to work in consultation with the injured worker, their treating medical practitioner, the vocational rehabilitation provider (if one is appointed) and the insurer.
- Stay in regular contact with the injured worker while they are off work.
- Read further information on 'rehabilitation - information for employers'.
Workers
Workers should keep copies of all treatment invoices and receipts.
A worker should notify the employer as soon as practicable of the workplace injury. Keep the employer informed about any time away from work that may be needed, or any assistance to return to work. This could include reduced hours or modifications to a worker's duties or work area.
If a worker loses income or requires treatment as a result of the workplace injury and want to claim compensation, they need to fill in and lodge a Northern Territory workers' compensation claim form with their employer.
If a worker wants to claim for loss of income, they will need to give their employer a medical certificate of capacity filled in and signed by a treating doctor or medical practitioner. The medical certificate of capacity - first certificate can cover up to the first 14 days of work capacity and should be provided to the employer, with the completed and signed workers' compensation claim form.
The claim form is in two parts - the first is required to be completed by the worker (or someone on their behalf) and the second part is required to be completed by the employer.
A worker must sign the worker's authority to release medical and relevant personal information and declaration at the end of part one on the claim form for the claim to be valid.
Once a worker has lodged a completed and signed 'workers' compensation claim form' with the employer, the employer has three working days to complete and sign part two of the form and forward it to their insurer.
The insurer must make an initial decision on the claim within 10 working days of the employer receiving it. The insurer will manage and make all the decisions regarding the claim on behalf of the employer.
A worker should:
- Download and complete part one of the 'workers' compensation claim form'. And don't forget to sign it!
- Forward the completed form to the employer.
- Keep copies of anything they send to the employer, such as the claim form, medical certificate of capacity, invoices and receipts.
- Give the doctor a helping hand - talk to the employer about the activities that can be safely done at work while a worker recovers and pass this information on to the doctor.
- Read further information on 'worker's guide to workers' compensation'.
Video Resources
The below videos have been developed to give helpful information about injuries and claims: