Office Workers Injury Compensation Lawyers in Sydney & NSW

What can I claim for an office workplace injury?

Office workers in NSW who experience injuries can access multiple benefits through workers compensation law. Below is a list of the benefits you may be entitled to:

• Medical Expenses: Necessary and reasonable medical expenses will be covered. This includes visits to doctors and specialists as well as physiotherapy sessions, healthcare professional fees, medication costs and rehabilitation expenses. Your medical care and expenses should be fully covered so you can get the necessary treatment for your recovery.
• Weekly Payments: are provided to workers who cannot perform their job duties because of their injury. Your pre-injury average weekly earnings determine the amount of compensation you receive through these payments which serve to support your financial needs during recovery and work absence.
• Lump Sum Payments (Permanent Impairment): If your injury leads to permanent damage. A medical assessment determines your impairment level which serves as the basis for calculating this payment. The payment exists to provide financial compensation for the permanent effects of your injury.

What types of office workers are covered under workers compensation claims?

While office work can appear less physically demanding, it creates its own set of injuries. Our clients at Garling & Co commonly experience various medical conditions that develop because of their workplace environment.

• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a common workplace injury. The repetitive nature of tasks such as typing and using your mouse for many hours can lead to wrist and hand and arm discomfort that develops with time. Symptoms of RSI include tingling and numbness and persistent ache develop into a condition which makes basic activities challenging to perform.
• Back and neck pain are another common complaint. This can be caused by the improper setup of your workspace combined with extended periods of poor posture while looking at a screen causing a hunched position. Ongoing poor posture develops into persistent pain that can interfere with your work performance and your quality of life.
• The medical community acknowledges mental health conditions as workplace injuries. The combination of work stress such as impossible deadlines, working long hours, toxic work environments and workplace bullying can cause damage to your mental health. Workplace stress can cause anxiety together with depression and multiple other health issues which impair your ability to work.
• Other injuries are caused by simple incidents such slips and trips and falls. Spilled liquids, loose cables, uneven flooring and unseen hazards can create conditions that result in falls which can cause sprains and fractures and potentially head injuries.

If you’ve experienced any type of injury or illness at work, complete our Free Claim Check to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.

What should I do if I get injured in an office?

If you have sustained an injury or illness at your workplace you should seek medical care immediately. After receiving medical help you need to understand your workers compensation rights in NSW.

Workers compensation law in NSW provides you with the right to file a claim if you are injured or develop an illness through the course of your employment. You will need to obtain a Medical Certificate of Capacity from either your general practitioner or the treating hospital. The Medical Certificate of Capacity is essential medical proof that demonstrates your workplace injury or illness together with its impacts on your capability to work.

You should provide your Medical Certificate of Capacity to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer will provide the certificate to the workers compensation insurer after they receive it. The assessment of your claim starts through this action which follows NSW workers compensation legislation.

Can I sue for negligence?

If you have sustained an injury as an office worker, then you may have a right to claim common law damages against your employer. This claim is a Work Injury Damages claim. A Work Injury Damages claim is when an injured worker sues their employer for damages due to negligence. This type of claim is to cover past and future loss of income.

To be able to claim Work Injury Damages, the injury must be as a result of the negligence of your employer, and you must have a whole person impairment of at least 15%. You will need the assistance of an experienced lawyer to make this type of claim.

If your injury is due to the negligence of someone other than your employer, you may have a claim against that person or company. You should discuss this with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What is the claim process for an office workplace injury?

1. Immediately Notify Your Employer: Your employer needs to be notified as soon as possible following the incident. The notification must be in writing and include the date, time and cause.
2. Seek Prompt Medical Attention and Obtain a Certificate of Capacity: Get your diagnosis and treatment for your GP or specialist. Ask for a Certificate of Capacity which specifies the effects of the injury on your office work tasks.
3. Complete the NSW Workers Compensation Claim Form: Your employer can provide you with this form or you can find it on the SIRA website. Include details about your injury, how it occurred and how it impacts your daily tasks.
4. Lodge the claim: You need to submit your finished claim along with your Certificate of Capacity to both your employer and your workers compensation insurer.
5. If you think you may have a claim, then please contact us by email or phone to discuss your matter. We provide you with free advice on your options.
6. If we believe you have a claim for workers compensation, we will assist in ensuring you obtain appropriate compensation for your injuries.
7. We obtain the necessary evidence to win your claim. This is done by one of our experienced injury lawyers.
8. We pursue your claim and fight until you receive the compensation you deserve.
9. You receive your compensation in your bank account.

Why Garling & Co Lawyers?

We are dedicated to delivering clear and honest communication and caring legal services that produce the best possible results. Our clients are our highest priority and we aim to always provide exceptional service.
In 2024 we acted for a client who was bullied by her supervisor at work whilst employed with the NSW Government and suffered a significant psychological injury. She was deemed unfit for future work and we obtained a settlement of over $750,000.00 for her future loss of capacity to work. We believe our job is about more than compensation, it’s about delivering the financial relief you need to recover, reset and begin the next chapter of your life.

If you’ve suffered an office or workplace injury, begin your claim process with our Free Claim Check and see what compensation you may be eligible for.