PK Simpson Blog8 min read

Common Work Injuries and How to Claim Workers Compensation in NSW

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PK Simpson Team

PK Simpson

Workers compensation guide image for common work accident in NSW

Quick Summary

If you’ve suffered a work-related injury in NSW — whether at a warehouse, hospital, construction site, or office — you may be entitled to workers compensation.
Here’s what this guide covers:

  • ✅ Common workplace injuries: lower back, neck, shoulder, and knee injuries

  • ✅ Your rights to weekly payments, medical treatment, and lump sum payouts (s66 claims)

  • ✅ How icare, EML, and SIRA manage workers compensation in NSW

  • ✅ What to do immediately after a work injury

  • ✅ Links to unions, claim agencies, and PK Simpson resources for help

Understanding Workers Compensation in NSW

Workers compensation in NSW is designed to protect employees who suffer an injury or illness because of their job.
It provides financial support, medical care, and lump sum entitlements if your injury results in permanent impairment.

The system is overseen by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) — visit SIRA’s official website — and managed by insurers such as icare (icare.nsw.gov.au) and EML (Employers Mutual Limited) (eml.com.au).

You do not need to prove fault to make a claim — it’s a no-fault system.
That means even if the accident was partly your fault, you can still claim.

Common Workplace Injuries in NSW

Some injuries occur more often due to repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, slips, trips, or poor ergonomics. Below are the most common categories seen by compensation lawyers like PK Simpson.

Injury Type Common Causes Typical Treatment Average Recovery Time
Lower Back Injury Manual handling, lifting heavy boxes, warehouse work Physiotherapy, pain management, surgery (in severe cases) 4 weeks – 12 months
Neck Injury Poor posture, vehicle accidents, slips or falls, head knocks Rest, physiotherapy, ergonomic adjustments, surgery 3 – 6 months
Shoulder Injury Repetitive overhead movements, strain from lifting,

twisting and over-extension

 Rehabilitation, cortisone injections, surgery 2 – 9 months
Knee Injury Twisting, kneeling, falling, warehouse or construction work Bracing, surgery, physiotherapy 3 – 12 months

1. Lower Back Injuries – The Most Common Work Injury

Lower back injuries are the leading cause of workers compensation claims in NSW.
These injuries often occur in warehouses, supermarkets, construction, and healthcare roles where lifting and bending are frequent.

Examples of lower back injuries:

  • Herniated discs, slipped discs, bulging discs

  • Chronic lumbar strain

  • Sciatica or nerve compression

  • Repetitive strain from long shifts or poor ergonomics

How to claim for a back injury:

  1. Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible.

  2. Visit a doctor and obtain a Certificate of Capacity.

  3. Lodge a claim with the insurer — often icare or EML.

  4. Contact PK Simpson for a free claim review: PKSimpson.com.au/workers-compensation

2. Neck Injuries – Often from Sudden Impacts or Vehicle-Based Work

Neck injuries can happen in offices (from poor posture or workstation setup), during work-related driving or from sudden or violent knocks to the head, neck and shoulder region.

Common neck injury symptoms:

  • Persistent neck pain

  • Restricted movement

  • Headaches or dizziness

  • Radiating pain into arms or shoulders

Common causes:

  • Rear-end vehicle collisions while driving for work

  • Slips, trips, or falls

  • Long hours looking down at screens

Compensation entitlements:

  • Weekly wage support while off work

  • Paid physiotherapy and medical imaging

  • Possible Section 66 lump sum for permanent impairment

3. Shoulder Injuries – Common in Trades, Healthcare, and Retail

Shoulder injuries often result from repetitive tasks, overhead work, or sudden jerks when lifting.

Typical conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tear

  • Bursitis or tendonitis

  • Frozen shoulder

  • Shoulder impingement syndrome

Example occupations at risk:

  • Construction and trades

  • Nurses and healthcare workers

  • Warehouse and logistics employees

  • Retail stock handlers

For legal and medical support, PK Simpson partners with trusted doctors and specialists to ensure every claim is maximised.

4. Knee Injuries – From Slips, Twisting, or Heavy Impact

Knee injuries can severely limit your ability to work, especially in physical jobs like construction or emergency services.

Common types of knee injuries:

  • Torn meniscus

  • ACL or MCL tears

  • Patellar tendonitis

  • Post-surgical or chronic pain

What you can claim:

  • Weekly payments for lost income

  • All reasonable medical and rehab expenses

  • Lump sum compensation (s66) for permanent impairment

Workers Compensation Entitlements in NSW

Under NSW law, injured workers can access four key entitlements depending on the injury’s severity and duration.

Entitlement Type Description Eligibility
1. Weekly Payments Paid while you are unable to work or earning reduced income. Based on pre-injury average weekly earnings (PIAWE).
2. Medical & Treatment Expenses Covers doctor visits, surgery, physio, medication, and rehab. Must be approved as “reasonably necessary” by insurer.
3. Section 66 Lump Sum Compensation for permanent impairment (physical or psychological). Requires independent medical assessment.
4. Work Injury Damages (Common Law Claim) For negligence causing permanent injury or loss. Must have at least 15% permanent impairment and prove fault.

Learn more at SIRA’s official entitlements guide: sira.nsw.gov.au/workers-compensation-claims

Section 66 Lump Sum Claims

If you have a permanent impairment as a result of your workplace injury, you may be eligible for a Section 66 lump sum payment under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW).

Key points:

  • Must have a permanent impairment of at least 11% (physical) or 15% (psychological).

  • Assessment done by an independent medical assessor approved by SIRA.

  • The higher your impairment rating, the greater your payout.

Example payout guide (for injuries between 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026):

Permanent Impairment % Estimated Lump Sum ($AUD)
11% $29,510
15% $44,950
20% $64,250
25% $83,550
30% $102,850

💡 Figures vary depending on the date of injury and SIRA’s annual indexation.

You can read more about permanent impairment and compensation rates on SIRA’s official impairment guidelines.

How to Make a Workers Compensation Claim in NSW

Step 1: Report your injury

Notify your employer within 48 hours of your injury.
Your employer must record it and report to the insurer within 7 days.

Step 2: Visit your GP

Ask for a SIRA Certificate of Capacity, which outlines your work capacity and treatment plan.

Step 3: Lodge your claim

You can lodge directly with:

  • icare

  • EML

  • Or through your employer’s nominated insurer.

Step 4: Contact PK Simpson

Our lawyers will:

  • Handle communication with the insurer

  • Arrange independent medical assessments

  • Calculate your PIAWE (Pre-Injury Average Weekly Earnings) correctly

  • Maximise your Section 66 lump sum claim

📞 Call 1300 757 467 or visit PK Simpson Workers Compensation for free advice.

Medical Treatment Covered by Insurers

Insurers like icare and EML must cover:

  • GP and specialist consultations

  • Diagnostic scans (X-rays, MRIs, CTs)

  • Surgery and hospital stays

  • Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

  • Rehabilitation and work conditioning programs

  • Travel costs to attend medical appointments

Insurers assess whether treatment is “reasonably necessary” — and PK Simpson can help challenge any unfair denials.

Workers Compensation for Frontline and High-Risk Occupations

Many NSW workers face daily physical and psychological risk. If you work in these industries, understanding your rights is critical.

Industry Union / Resource Links
Police NSW NSW Police Force • Police Association of NSW
Nurses and Midwives NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association
Construction & Trades CFMEU NSW • NSW Building Trades Group

Unions can help with advocacy, but only a workers compensation lawyer like PK Simpson can negotiate, lodge, and finalise legal compensation claims.

How PK Simpson Helps You

PK Simpson has been helping injured workers for over 47 years.
We have a 5-star Google rating thanks to our experience, success rate, and commitment to getting maximum results for our clients.

Why workers choose PK Simpson:

  • ✅ Over 40 years experience in compensation

  • ✅ Free claim review with expert compensation lawyers

  • ✅ Fast and efficient – we deal directly with insurers

  • ✅ Access to trusted medical specialists to support your claim

  • ✅ Experienced across all industries – from construction to healthcare

👉 Learn more: https://staging-wp-headless.digitallink.com.au/workers-compensation/

When to Contact a Lawyer

Contact a lawyer if:

  • Your claim is rejected or delayed

  • Your weekly payments stop unexpectedly

  • You believe your impairment rating is too low

  • You’re unsure about your entitlements under s66

  • The insurer declines your request for surgery

  • You’re offered a settlement that seems unfair

The sooner you get legal advice, the stronger your case will be.

FAQs About Workers Compensation in NSW

How long can I receive weekly payments?

Usually up to 260 weeks (WPI over 21% to continue beyond 260 weeks), but it can continue beyond that if you have no current work capacity and meet SIRA’s criteria.

Can I claim both weekly payments and a lump sum?

Yes — you can receive both weekly compensation and a Section 66 lump sum payout.

Who pays my medical bills?

The insurer (icare, EML, or another approved provider) covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses.

What if my employer doesn’t have insurance?

icare operates a Nominal Insurer Scheme to ensure every injured worker in NSW is covered.

Important Links

Final Thoughts

Workplace injuries can happen anywhere — in warehouses, hospitals, construction sites, or offices. Whether it’s your back, neck, shoulder, or knees, you deserve full compensation and fair treatment.

The NSW workers compensation system can be complex — but with the right legal support, you can access everything you’re entitled to:
✅ Weekly payments, ✅ Medical treatment, ✅ Section 66 lump sum, and ✅ Full recovery assistance.

🟩 Contact PK Simpson Today

If you’ve been injured at work in NSW, don’t delay.
Our team has helped tens of thousands of injured workers get the justice and payments they deserve.

📞 Call 1300 757 467 or visit PKSimpson.com.au
💬 Free claim assessment – No Win, No Fee.