Latest news with #WorkCover
ABC News
5 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
More than $25m in workers' compensation claims relating to e-scooter and e-bike injuries made in Queensland over five-year period
Employees injured in e-scooter and e-bike incidents have lodged millions of dollars worth of compensation claims through Queensland's workers' insurance agency. New figures released by the state-owned WorkCover reveal it fielded 1,321 claims for e-scooter or e-bike-related cases between mid-2020 and mid-2025. The cost of the claims made over this period totalled more than $25.5 million, with the vast majority of them involving e-scooters. Over that time, the number of claims lodged each year has been growing steadily, with 388 submitted in a roughly 12-month period to June this year, compared to 107 for the 2020-21 financial year. The statutory body insures about 170,000 employers across the state. In its submission to a parliamentary inquiry looking into e-scooter safety, WorkCover said two of the claims involved deaths. Another five claims were for "serious personal injuries", which included traumatic brain and spinal injuries. "Notably, all of these serious and fatal injury claims arose from incidents involving e-scooters," the WorkCover submission said. "WorkCover acknowledges the important role personal mobility devices play in supporting accessible and flexible transport options for Queenslanders. "However, analysis of claims' data over the past four financial years indicates a consistent increase in both the number and cost of claims involving these devices." According to WorkCover's submission, the cost of claims per year has risen from $2.1 million in 2020-21 to $8.4 million in 2023-24. WorkCover calculates the cost of claims for each year according to when the first payment is made. That means if someone receives their first payment in October 2023 and a second payment in October 2024, both will count towards the 2023-24 financial year. Using that method, about $4.4 million has so far been paid out in the 2024-25 financial year. Payments made include compensation for lost wages, rehabilitation and medical costs as well as lump sum payments for workers who are permanently impaired. Of the 1,321 claims lodged in the almost five years to June 2025, more than 1,000 of them involved e-scooter users who were injured while riding. Almost 200 were related to e-bike riders. Another 88 claims involved workers were injured during an "event" that involved either of the devices. WorkCover said this included injuries caused by collisions with e-scooters or e-bikes, or a "psychological injury" caused by witnessing a traumatic event involving an e-device. More than 80 per cent of the claims — or about 1,125 — involved workers who were travelling to, from, or for, work at the time they were injured. Another 171 claims related to injuries sustained during work hours, while 28 involved cases where someone was injured during "recess", or a break from work. Shine Lawyers general manager Ben Wilcock said he was not surprised by the increasing number of claims involving e-scooters and e-bikes. "We're seeing increasing volumes of enquiries for people either injured on e-scooters or e-bikes, or injured by those devices as pedestrians," he said. Mr Wilcock said employees can make a claim through workers' compensation if they use the device as part of their duties, or if they are travelling directly to, or from, work. Employees are also covered if they are injured during a break. "If you're on your morning tea break and you walk out to get a coffee and you're collected by an e-scooter, you still can claim workers' compensation benefits," he said. Mr Wilcock pointed out there were some exclusions for journey claims, including if drugs or alcohol contributed or if there had been a delay or substantial change to the journey. The parliamentary committee holding the e-scooter inquiry is due to table its report by the end of March next year.
Herald Sun
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Herald Sun
Qld budget Estimates: Bleijie grilled over tense IOC rowing ‘argument', Games costs
Leaked texts: Minister's office told of blast Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has boasted his appointment of Greg Hallam as deputy chair of the WorkCover board – replacing Jacqueline King. Labor's Grace Grace then tabled screenshots of two Facebook posts by Mr Hallam, depicting sexual references, demanding Mr Bleijie explain how he will act on them. FOLLOW HOW DAY THREE PLAYED OUT BELOW Originally published as Budget Estimates: Bleijie denounces WorkCover board deputy's 'slutty nurse' post QLD News Traffic is at gridlock on multiple major routes and rat runs in Brisbane's north, leaving commuters with a hellish trip home. QLD News A push is under way for an investigation into funding to boost tourism on North Stradbroke Island after claims nine glamping tents were built at a cost of more than $244,000 each.
The Age
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Greg made an insurance claim after a serious bike crash. Then a private investigator came calling
'When someone makes a workers' compensation claim, the insurer needs to figure out two main things: whether the person meets the definition of a 'worker' and whether the injury is one that falls under the scheme,' Denning said. 'To do that, they often ask for personal detail, like how the person was employed, where they live, and exactly what was happening when the injury occurred. That's especially the case for injuries that happen on a journey to or from work.' Denning said if someone was worried about what could happen with their data – especially if the claim ends up being rejected – it was a good idea to speak with a lawyer before proceeding. Under Victorian legislation, employees are entitled to compensation if their injury arises 'out of or in the course of any employment'. But as the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry notes, 'there is no single definition of what will and will not be deemed to be a work-related injury' – leading to ambiguity on whether a worker's injury should lead to compensation. The chamber said the legislation provided 'some clarity by listing several examples deemed to be 'in the course of employment', such as where the worker is travelling for the purpose of their employment, or where they are injured whilst attending a compulsory training course'. Insurer Allianz Australia, an authorised agent of the Victorian WorkCover Authority, rejected Muller's claim because he was injured during his commute outside work hours. 'Allianz has determined that your injuries have not arisen in or out of the course of your employment … you sustained the injuries while travelling from your home to your workplace,' it said. Allianz did not respond to requests for comment on Muller's case. Loading Muller accepts the decision to reject his claim but does not understand why he was interviewed about his personal life when his accident did not fall under WorkCover's umbrella. 'I thought, why the hell did I go through all this? This should never have proceeded,' he said. He is also frustrated that Allianz says it is unable to delete his personal information – particularly when large-scale cyber breaches are increasingly common. 'Regarding the request to erase information obtained during the claim investigation, please note that we are unable to delete this information. However, rest assured that no personal data will be disclosed externally,' it said. Investigators are not required to determine whether a person is eligible for WorkCover before interviewing them about their personal life. WorkSafe, which manages workers' compensation in Victoria, said investigators had a responsibility to ask a wide range of questions regarding a claimant's personal and health matters to assess a claim. It also said it was required to hold on to claimants' data for various periods in case claimants made future claims or launched legal proceedings. John Pane, data privacy expert and chair of digital rights not-for-profit Electronic Frontiers Australia, said the Victorian and federal governments needed to update privacy laws to require organisations to delete individuals' data on request, as happened in the European Union. 'There is no current right in Australia that grants individuals the power to demand that their personal data be deleted from any organisation that holds it, even if they unlawfully or erroneously captured it,' Pane said. 'And the retention period of these records could be for a substantial period of time.' While there is no 'right to erasure' in this country, Allianz is required, under the Australian Privacy Principles, to only use or disclose personal information 'for the purpose for which it is collected'. Taxpayers have poured more than $1.3 billion into WorkCover to help cover the rising cost of claims, particularly in mental health-related claims. There were 35,575 new claims to WorkCover in the 2024 financial year, up 25 per cent in three years.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Greg made an insurance claim after a serious bike crash. Then a private investigator came calling
'When someone makes a workers' compensation claim, the insurer needs to figure out two main things: whether the person meets the definition of a 'worker' and whether the injury is one that falls under the scheme,' Denning said. 'To do that, they often ask for personal detail, like how the person was employed, where they live, and exactly what was happening when the injury occurred. That's especially the case for injuries that happen on a journey to or from work.' Denning said if someone was worried about what could happen with their data – especially if the claim ends up being rejected – it was a good idea to speak with a lawyer before proceeding. Under Victorian legislation, employees are entitled to compensation if their injury arises 'out of or in the course of any employment'. But as the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry notes, 'there is no single definition of what will and will not be deemed to be a work-related injury' – leading to ambiguity on whether a worker's injury should lead to compensation. The chamber said the legislation provided 'some clarity by listing several examples deemed to be 'in the course of employment', such as where the worker is travelling for the purpose of their employment, or where they are injured whilst attending a compulsory training course'. Insurer Allianz Australia, an authorised agent of the Victorian WorkCover Authority, rejected Muller's claim because he was injured during his commute outside work hours. 'Allianz has determined that your injuries have not arisen in or out of the course of your employment … you sustained the injuries while travelling from your home to your workplace,' it said. Allianz did not respond to requests for comment on Muller's case. Loading Muller accepts the decision to reject his claim but does not understand why he was interviewed about his personal life when his accident did not fall under WorkCover's umbrella. 'I thought, why the hell did I go through all this? This should never have proceeded,' he said. He is also frustrated that Allianz says it is unable to delete his personal information – particularly when large-scale cyber breaches are increasingly common. 'Regarding the request to erase information obtained during the claim investigation, please note that we are unable to delete this information. However, rest assured that no personal data will be disclosed externally,' it said. Investigators are not required to determine whether a person is eligible for WorkCover before interviewing them about their personal life. WorkSafe, which manages workers' compensation in Victoria, said investigators had a responsibility to ask a wide range of questions regarding a claimant's personal and health matters to assess a claim. It also said it was required to hold on to claimants' data for various periods in case claimants made future claims or launched legal proceedings. John Pane, data privacy expert and chair of digital rights not-for-profit Electronic Frontiers Australia, said the Victorian and federal governments needed to update privacy laws to require organisations to delete individuals' data on request, as happened in the European Union. 'There is no current right in Australia that grants individuals the power to demand that their personal data be deleted from any organisation that holds it, even if they unlawfully or erroneously captured it,' Pane said. 'And the retention period of these records could be for a substantial period of time.' While there is no 'right to erasure' in this country, Allianz is required, under the Australian Privacy Principles, to only use or disclose personal information 'for the purpose for which it is collected'. Taxpayers have poured more than $1.3 billion into WorkCover to help cover the rising cost of claims, particularly in mental health-related claims. There were 35,575 new claims to WorkCover in the 2024 financial year, up 25 per cent in three years.
Sky News AU
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Street sweeper Shaun Turner says he speaks for 'silent majority' after questioning use of Acknowledgement to Country during Darebin Council work meeting
The Melbourne council street sweeper sacked over questioning the use of an Acknowledgement to Country before a work meeting has argued the ceremonies are being overdone and that he had to take a stand for the "silent majority". Shaun Turner, 60, last week won his unfair dismissal case against Darebin Council after he was let go when he asked why the ritual was being introduced at a toolbox meeting. He had argued in the meeting "people who have worn the uniform and fought" for Australia are the ones that should be thanked, later telling councillors he did not have to be "welcomed into my own country" and that the use of it was "getting out of hand". The council alleged Mr Turner said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people "do not deserve an acknowledgement at the start of meetings" in a disrespectful way. But the Fair Work Commission found Mr Turner's way of expression was not aggressive, as claimed by the council, and that his opinion did not warrant being sacked. Speaking to The Australian, who first reported the story, the father-of-three said the use of Acknowledgement to Country in small meetings was "pushing it too far". Mr Turner doubled down on previous remarks that the ceremony should be reserved for special occasions and foreign dignitaries when they visit the country. "I think the silent majority who won't just say anything, but they probably all think the same way but they don't want to upset the apple cart," he said. Asked if Australia has become "too politically correct", the council worker said "it's all gone too far the other way and people have just had enough now". 'I just feel like if you were a pale, stale male you can't go to work now and have a laugh. If me and you are having a laugh, and he (a third person) takes it to management, well, next minute we're getting a warning for not being inclusive," he said. Mr Turner, who voted for the Liberal Party at the federal election, said often people jump jump to accusations of racism if they question the Welcome to Country. But he insisted he has "no problem with Aboriginal people". The Fair Work Commission is still considering whether the worker from Research, northeast of Melbourne's outskirts, should be compensated or be given his job back. Mr Turner is unsure whether he wants to continue in the role again due to a painful shoulder condition that had left him on WorkCover prior to being sacked. He would consider being redeployed to another role and/or compensation. Overnight, Senator Pauline Hanson praised Mr Turner for speaking his mind. "That council worker, good on him for actually fighting back over it and questioning it. And yet he's lost his job. He's won it in the courts and I hope that they actually apologise to him and offer his job back," Senator Hanson told Sky News' Danica and James. It comes after a poll from the Institute of Public Affairs over the weekend found 56 per cent of people surveyed say Welcome to Country Ceremonies are divisive.
