This regulation may be cited as the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2014 .
This regulation commences on 1 September 2014.
Schedule 13 defines particular words used in this regulation.
4WorkCover’s capital adequacy—Act, s 453 (b)
For section 453 (b) of the Act, WorkCover maintains capital adequacy if WorkCover’s total assets are at least equal to its total liabilities.
An application for a WorkCover policy must be made to WorkCover in the approved form.
(1)On payment of the premium shown as payable in a premium notice issued by WorkCover to an employer, WorkCover must issue to the employer a policy, in the approved form, for the period of insurance stated in the notice.(2)A policy has no effect until—(a)WorkCover receives the premium payable to WorkCover for the policy or the policy’s renewal; or(b)WorkCover enters into an instalment plan.
(1)This section does not apply to a policy for household workers.(2)WorkCover must assess the premium payable under a policy for each period of insurance shown in a premium notice.
(1)This section does not apply to an employer who employs only household workers.(2)Each employer, other than a self-insurer, must, on or before 31 August in each year, lodge with WorkCover a declaration of wages so WorkCover can assess the employer’s premium.(3)The declaration must be in—(a)the approved form; or(b)with WorkCover’s approval—another form acceptable to WorkCover.(4)If an employer does not comply with subsection (2), the employer must pay an additional premium under schedule 1.(5)The additional premium payable under schedule 1 is the amount specified opposite the time after 31 August in a year when the employer complies with subsection (2).
(1)This section applies if an employer provides, or is to provide, board to a worker during a period of insurance.(2)The value of board provided is taken to be wages paid, or to be paid, by the employer to the worker.(3)For each week the employer provides, or is to provide, board, the value of board is at least equal to—(a)the weekly allowance for board provided for under the industrial instrument governing the calling in which the worker is engaged; or(b)if paragraph (a) does not apply—6% of QOTE.(4)In this section—board means accommodation, meals, laundry services or any other entitlement having a monetary value provided when lodging.
10Payment of premium by instalments
(1)WorkCover may accept payment of a premium by instalments under an instalment plan approved by WorkCover if WorkCover is satisfied that payment of the premium by the due date would impose financial hardship on the employer.(2)The instalment plan is subject to the following conditions—(a)interest at a rate specified by WorkCover’s board by gazette notice must be added to the amount of each instalment;(b)interest must be calculated from the due date;(c)the interest rate that applies at the start of the instalment plan remains constant until the plan ends;(d)on acceptance of the instalment plan, the employer must, if required by WorkCover, enter into a payment arrangement acceptable to WorkCover;(e)if an instalment of premium is not paid on or before the due date for payment of the instalment—(i)the total amount of unpaid instalments and interest on outstanding instalments to that day immediately becomes payable to WorkCover; and(ii)an additional premium under section 11 applies to the unpaid instalments and interest; and(iii)the policy for which the premium is payable stops having effect; and(iv)the employer contravenes section 48 of the Act.
11Additional premium for late payment of premium—Act, ss 61 and 62
(1)This section applies if, on or before the due date, an employer does not pay—(a)the amount of premium payable under a premium notice; or(b)the amount by which a final assessment of premium by an industrial magistrate or the Industrial Court is more than the amount of premium paid under section 551 (4) of the Act.(2)However, this section does not apply if—(a)the employer employs only household workers; or(b)WorkCover has accepted payment of the amount under an instalment plan and instalments are paid under the plan.(3)For sections 61 and 62 of the Act, the additional premium payable is—(a)if the amount is paid to WorkCover within 30 days after the due date—5% of the amount; or(b)if the amount is paid to WorkCover after 30 days but within 60 days after the due date—10% of the amount; or(c)if the amount is paid to WorkCover after 60 days after the due date or if no payment is made—10% of the amount plus interest at the annual rate mentioned in section 10 (2) (a) for the period from the due date, or a later date decided by WorkCover, until the amount and all additional premium is paid to WorkCover.
12Premium for appeals—Act, s 569 (2) (a)
(1)For section 569 (2) (a) of the Act, premium, for an employer for a period of insurance, is an amount calculated using the formula—
(2)In subsection (1)—rate means the rate for the employer’s industry or business specified in the notice under section 54 of the Act that applies to the period of insurance.wages means—(a)the wages of the employer for the preceding period of insurance; or(b)if the employer has only been insured for part of a period of insurance—a reasonable estimate of the wages of the employer for the period of insurance.
13Former employer may apply to cancel policy
(1)This section applies if a person (a former employer) wishes to cancel a policy because the person has stopped employing workers.(2)This section does not apply to a former employer of only household workers.(3)The former employer must give WorkCover—(a)written notice that the former employer—(i)stopped employing workers on and from a date stated in the notice; and(ii)wishes to cancel the policy; and(b)written details of—(i)the address to which any document addressed to the former employer may be sent; and(ii)the former employer’s wages in relation to the period (last employment period) starting on 1 July last preceding the day on which employment of workers stopped and ending on that day.
14Cancellation of policy if workers no longer employed
(1)This section applies if—(a)a person (a former employer) has notified WorkCover under section 13 (3) that the former employer has stopped employing workers; or(b)WorkCover is satisfied, after making reasonable enquiries, that a person (also a former employer) has stopped employing workers.(2)WorkCover may cancel the former employer’s policy.(3)WorkCover must assess the premium payable by the former employer for the period during which the Act required the former employer to maintain a policy.(4)If the premium paid by the former employer for the last employment period is—(a)greater than the amount of premium assessed under subsection (3)—WorkCover must refund the amount overpaid to the former employer; or(b)less than the amount of premium assessed under subsection (3)—the former employer must pay WorkCover the amount of the deficit on or before the due date under a final premium notice issued for the amount of the deficit.(5)Nothing in this section is taken to limit chapter 2, part 3, division 2 of the Act.
15Excess period—Act, s 65 (2)
For section 65 (2) of the Act, the prescribed amount is the lesser of the following—(a)QOTE;(b)the amount of weekly compensation payable to a worker under chapter 3, part 9 of the Act.
16Application fees—Act, s 70 (c)
For section 70 (c) of the Act, the prescribed fee is—(a)for a single employer—$15,000; or(b)for a group employer—$20,000.
17Annual levy—Act, s 81 (2)
(1)For section 81 (2) of the Act, the prescribed way to calculate the annual levy is using the formula—
(2)In subsection (1)—estimated claims liability means estimated claims liability calculated under part 3, division 4 stated in the most recent actuarial report agreed by the Regulator, or decided by the arbiter, under that division, before a date fixed by the Regulator by gazette notice.rate means the rate published in the gazette notice under section 81 of the Act for the particular financial year.
18Provisional annual levy—not agreed or decided
(1)This section applies if—(a)the Regulator and the self-insurer have not agreed on the calculation of estimated claims liability under part 3, division 4; and(b)the arbiter has not decided the estimated claims liability.(2)The Regulator may use the estimated claims liability amount (the provisional annual levy) assessed by the approved actuary to ensure the self-insurer’s compliance with section 81 of the Act.
(1)If the Regulator and the self-insurer agree under section 62 on the estimated claims liability amount (agreed amount), the Regulator must give the self-insurer an adjusted levy notice based on the agreed amount within 14 days after the Regulator and the self-insurer agree to the amount.(2)If the agreed amount is more than the provisional annual levy, the self-insurer must pay the Regulator the difference between the provisional annual levy and the amount of the annual levy actually payable by the self-insurer.(3)If the agreed amount is less than the provisional annual levy paid by the self-insurer, the Regulator must pay the self-insurer the difference between the actual annual levy payable and the amount paid as the provisional annual levy.
20Adjusted annual levy—not agreed but decided
(1)This section applies if the Regulator and the self-insurer do not agree to an amount under section 19 and the amount (the decided adjusted amount) decided by the arbiter under section 63 (1) is not the same as the amount of the estimated claims liability used to calculate the provisional annual levy.(2)If subsection (1) applies, the Regulator must give the self-insurer an adjusted levy notice based on the decided adjusted amount within 14 days after the Regulator or the self-insurer receives notice of the amount.(3)If the amount of the adjusted levy is more than the provisional annual levy, the self-insurer must pay the Regulator the difference between the provisional annual levy and the amount of the annual levy actually payable by the self-insurer.(4)If the amount of the adjusted levy is less than the provisional annual levy paid by the self-insurer, the Regulator must pay the self-insurer the difference between the actual annual levy payable and the amount paid as the provisional annual levy.
21Additional amount for late payment of levy—Act, s 82 (1)
For section 82 (1) of the Act, the additional amount payable is—(a)if the amount is paid to the Regulator within 30 days after the due date—5% of the amount; or(b)if the amount is paid to the Regulator after 30 days but within 60 days after the due date—10% of the amount; or(c)if the amount is paid to the Regulator after 60 days after the due date or if no payment is made—10% of the amount plus interest at a rate specified by the Regulator by gazette notice for the period from the due date, or a later date decided by the Regulator, until the amount and all additional amounts are paid to the Regulator.
22Conditions of licence—Act, s 83
For section 83 (1) (a) of the Act, a self-insurer’s licence is subject to the following conditions—(a)the self-insurer must lodge with the Regulator, for each year or part of a year of a licence, a declaration in the approved form of the self-insurer’s wages;(b)the unconditional bank guarantee lodged under section 84 of the Act—(i)must be issued by a bank or Queensland Treasury Corporation; and(ii)must not be issued by a bank that is a related body corporate to the self-insurer; and(iii)must be satisfactory to the Regulator.
23Premium payable after cancellation of self-insurer’s licence—Act, s 98
(1)For section 98 of the Act, the premium payable by the former self-insurer for the first 2 periods of insurance after cancellation is to be calculated according to the method and at the rate specified by WorkCover, by gazette notice under section 54 of the Act, as if the employer were a new employer.(2)However, the rate under subsection (1) must not be less than the rate calculated using the formula—
(3)In subsection (2)—administrative costs means the administrative costs associated with claims incurred during the final period of licence, calculated by multiplying payments + liability by 0.095.final period of licence means—(a)for an employer licensed as a self-insurer for 3 or more years immediately before cancellation of the licence—3 years; or(b)for an employer licensed as a self-insurer for less than 3 years immediately before cancellation of the licence—the period of the licence.liability means an actuarial estimate of the outstanding liability at the end of the self-insurer’s licence for claims incurred during the final period of licence, excluding liability for the excess period.payments means the actual payments made by the former self-insurer, less recoveries received and payments made that are the equivalent of amounts payable for the excess period, for claims incurred during the final period of licence.wages means the wages of the self-insurer during the final period of licence.
24Deemed levy for appeals—Act, s 569 (2) (a)
(1)The deemed levy, for a self-insurer for a financial year of the self-insurer’s licence, is an amount calculated using the formula—
(2)In this section—estimated claims liability means estimated claims liability calculated under part 3, division 4 that was used to calculate the annual levy under section 17.rate means the rate published in the gazette under section 81 of the Act for the particular financial year.
25Calculation of outstanding liability—Act, s 87 (2)
For section 87 (2) of the Act, the amount of a self-insurer’s outstanding liability must be calculated under this division.
WorkCover and the employer must each appoint an actuary to calculate an outstanding liability amount.
27Regulator to give actuary information
The Regulator must give each appointed actuary the information necessary to enable the actuaries to calculate the employer’s outstanding liability within the time mentioned in section 29 (3).
A calculation of the outstanding liability must—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the outstanding liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the employer’s claims experience from claims incurred before the employer becomes or became a self-insurer; and(g)be based on data as at the assessment day.
(1)For each calculation of an outstanding liability amount the appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the employer; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the employer; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the employer for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the employer; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the employer; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the employer to pay the amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including accuracy of the data;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.(3)Each appointed actuary must prepare the actuarial report within 35 days after the day a self-insurer lodges an application for self-insurance.
(1)The appointed actuaries must jointly prepare a summary report that—(a)includes the individual actuarial reports; and(b)states how the individual reports agree or differ and the reasons for the difference.(2)The actuaries must give a copy of the completed summary report to the Regulator, WorkCover and the employer within 2 months after the day the application for self-insurance is lodged.
WorkCover and the employer may agree on the employer’s outstanding liability having regard to the summary report.
32Reference to arbiter if no agreement on amount
(1)WorkCover or the employer may advise the Regulator that WorkCover and the employer do not agree on the outstanding liability amount.(2)If the Regulator is advised under subsection (1), the Regulator must refer the summary report to the arbiter to decide the outstanding liability amount.
(1)WorkCover must pay the outstanding liability amount—(a)agreed to by WorkCover and the employer; or(b)if there is no agreement—decided by the arbiter.(2)WorkCover must pay the employer—(a)75% of the outstanding liability amount on the day the licence commences; and(b)the balance within 1 month after the day the licence commences.(3)WorkCover’s actuary must adjust the outstanding liability amount paid to the employer to take into account—(a)compensation and damages payments made between the assessment day and the day the employer becomes liable for the employer’s outstanding liability amount; and(b)claims lodged against the employer between the assessment day and the day the employer becomes liable for the employer’s outstanding liability amount.
34Transfer of claims information
WorkCover must give the employer claims information in relation to the employer’s outstanding liability before the day the licence commences.
35Calculation of total liability after change in self-insurer’s membership—Act s 90 (9)
For section 90 (9) of the Act, the amount of total liability after a change in the self-insurer’s membership must be calculated under this division.
The relevant parties must each appoint an actuary to calculate the total liability amount.
37Relevant parties to give actuaries information
The relevant parties must give each appointed actuary, in the form approved by the Regulator, the information necessary to enable the actuaries to complete the calculation within the time mentioned in section 39 (3).
A calculation of the total liability amount must—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the outstanding liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the claims experience of the employer or member of a group employer that is the subject of the transfer of liability; and(g)be based on data as at the assessment day.
(1)For each calculation of a total liability amount the appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the employer; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the employer; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the employer for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the employer; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the employer; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the employer to pay the amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including its accuracy;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.(3)Each appointed actuary must prepare the actuarial report within 35 days after the consent day.
(1)The actuaries must jointly prepare a summary report that—(a)includes the individual actuarial reports; and(b)states how the individual reports agree or differ.(2)The actuaries must give a copy of the completed summary report to the parties and the Regulator within 2 months after the consent day.
The relevant parties may agree on the total liability amount having regard to the summary report.
42Reference to arbiter if no agreement on amount
(1)A relevant party may advise the Regulator that the parties do not agree on the total liability amount.(2)If the Regulator is advised under subsection (1), the Regulator must refer the summary report to the arbiter to decide the total liability amount.
(1)The old insurer must pay the total liability amount to the new insurer for the total liability—(a)agreed to by the old insurer and the new insurer; or(b)if there is no agreement—decided by the arbiter.(2)The old insurer must pay the total liability amount—(a)within 3 months after the consent day; or(b)on a later day agreed to by the parties.(3)The old insurer’s actuary must adjust the liability amount paid to the new insurer to take into account—(a)compensation and damages payments made between the assessment day and the day the new insurer assumes liability; and(b)claims lodged against the employer or member between the assessment day and the day the new insurer assumes liability.(4)The old insurer must advise the Regulator of the following no later than the day the total liability amount is paid—(a)the total liability amount;(b)the day the new insurer assumes liability;(c)details of the parties and the member leaving or becoming part of the self-insurer.
44Transfer of claims information
The old insurer must give the new insurer claims information in relation to the liability no later than the day the total liability amount is paid.
45Calculation of liability after cancellation—Act, s 102 (3)
For section 102 (3) of the Act, the amount for a former self-insurer’s liability must be calculated under this division.
WorkCover and a former self-insurer must each appoint an actuary to calculate the former self-insurer’s liability amount.
47Former self-insurer to give actuaries information
The former self-insurer must give the actuaries, in the form approved by the Regulator, the information necessary to enable the actuaries to complete the calculation within the time mentioned in section 49 (3).
A calculation of a former self-insurer’s liability amount must—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the outstanding liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the employer’s claims experience from claims incurred before the employer becomes or became a self-insurer; and(g)be based on data as at the assessment day.
(1)For each calculation of a former self-insurer’s liability amount the appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the employer; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the employer; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the employer for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the employer; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the employer; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the employer to pay the amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including its accuracy;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.(3)Each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report within 35 days after the cancellation day.
(1)The appointed actuaries must jointly prepare a summary report that—(a)includes the individual actuarial reports; and(b)states how the individual reports agree or differ.(2)The appointed actuaries must give a copy of the summary report to the Regulator, WorkCover and the former self-insurer within 2 months after the cancellation day.
WorkCover and the former self-insurer may agree on the former self-insurer’s liability amount having regard to the summary report.
52Reference to arbiter if no agreement on amount
(1)WorkCover or the former self-insurer may advise the Regulator that WorkCover and the former self-insurer do not agree on the self-insurer’s liability amount.(2)If the Regulator is advised under subsection (1), the Regulator must refer the summary report to the arbiter to decide the self-insurer’s liability amount.
(1)The former self-insurer’s liability amount the former self-insurer must pay WorkCover is—(a)the amount (the agreed amount) agreed to by WorkCover and the former self-insurer; or(b)if there is no agreement, the amount (the decided amount) decided by the arbiter.(2)The former self-insurer’s actuary must adjust the amount to take into account—(a)compensation and damages payments made between the assessment day and the cancellation day; and(b)claims lodged against the former self-insurer between the assessment day and the cancellation day.
54Calculation of estimated claims liability—Act, s 84 (3) (b)
For section 84 (3) (b) of the Act, the amount of the estimated claims liability must be calculated under this division.
The approved actuary must calculate the estimated claims liability amount.
56Self-insurer to give Regulator and approved actuary information
The self-insurer must give the self-insurer’s data to the Regulator and the approved actuary, in the form approved by the Regulator.
A calculation of a estimated claims liability amount must—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the self-insurer’s claims experience; and(g)be based on the self-insurer’s data as at—(i)the last day of the financial quarter immediately before the anniversary of the day the renewed licence commences; or(ii)another day fixed by the Regulator.
(1)For each calculation of an estimated claims liability amount the approved actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the employer; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the employer; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the employer for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the employer; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the employer; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the employer to pay the amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including its accuracy;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.
59Copy of actuarial report to Regulator and self-insurer
The approved actuary must give a copy of the actuarial report to the Regulator and the self-insurer by the day fixed by the Regulator or a later day agreed between the Regulator and the actuary.
60Regulator to advise self-insurer whether agreement on amount
Within 35 days after the approved actuary gives the Regulator a copy of the actuarial report, the Regulator must advise the self-insurer whether the Regulator agrees or does not agree with the approved actuary’s assessment of the estimated claims liability.
61Reference to Regulator’s actuary if no agreement on amount
(1)After receiving a copy of the approved actuary’s report, the Regulator may ask an actuary (Regulator’s actuary) to calculate the amount of the self-insurer’s estimated claims liability and give the Regulator an actuarial report made under section 58.(2)The Regulator must give the Regulator’s actuary the approved actuary’s report and the self-insurer’s data.
If, at any time, the Regulator and the self-insurer agree on the calculation of estimated claims liability, having regard to the approved actuary’s actuarial report or any Regulator’s actuary’s actuarial report, the estimated claims liability is the amount agreed to by the Regulator and the self-insurer.
(1)If the Regulator and the self-insurer do not agree on the calculation, the Regulator must refer the approved actuary’s report, the self-insurer’s data and any Regulator’s actuary’s actuarial report to the arbiter for decision.(2)The Regulator must make the referral within 14 days after the day the Regulator advises the self-insurer that the Regulator does not agree with the self-insurer’s approved actuary’s actuarial report under section 60.
64Calculation of non-scheme employer’s liability—Act, s 105I (2)
For section 105I (2) of the Act, the amount for a non-scheme employer’s liability must be calculated under this division.
WorkCover and the non-scheme employer must each appoint an actuary to calculate a non-scheme employer’s liability amount.
66Non-scheme employer to give actuaries information
The non-scheme employer must give the actuaries, in the form approved by the Regulator, the information necessary to enable the actuaries to complete the calculation within the time mentioned in section 68 (3).
A calculation of a non-scheme employer’s liability amount must—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the non-scheme insurer’s claims experience; and(g)be based on data that only relates to the period before the cancellation day.
(1)For each calculation of a non-scheme employer’s liability amount each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the non-scheme employer; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the non-scheme employer; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the non-scheme employer for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the non-scheme employer; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the non-scheme employer; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the non-scheme employer to pay the amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including its accuracy;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.(3)Each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report on the actuary’s calculation within 35 days after the cancellation day.
(1)The actuaries must jointly prepare a summary report that—(a)includes the individual actuarial reports; and(b)states how the individual reports agree or differ.(2)The actuaries must give a copy of the summary report to the Regulator, WorkCover and the non-scheme employer within 2 months after the cancellation day.
WorkCover and the non-scheme employer may agree on the non-scheme employer’s liability amount having regard to the summary report.
71Reference to arbiter if no agreement on amount
(1)WorkCover or the non-scheme employer may advise the Regulator that WorkCover and the non-scheme employer do not agree on the non-scheme employer’s liability amount.(2)If the Regulator is advised under subsection (1), the Regulator must refer the summary report to the arbiter to decide the non-scheme employer’s liability amount.
(1)The amount the non-scheme employer must pay WorkCover for the liability is—(a)the amount (the agreed amount) agreed to by WorkCover and the non-scheme employer; or(b)if there is no agreement—the amount (the decided amount) decided by the arbiter.(2)The agreed amount or decided amount paid to WorkCover must be adjusted by the non-scheme employer’s actuary to take into account—(a)compensation and damages payments made between the assessment day and the cancellation day; and(b)claims lodged against the non-scheme employer between the assessment day and the cancellation day.
73Calculation of finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount—Act, s 105I (2)
For section 105I (2) of the Act, the amount for finalisation of a non-scheme employer’s liability must be calculated under this subdivision.
WorkCover and the non-scheme employer must each appoint an actuary, at the end of 4 years after the cancellation day, to calculate the finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount.
75WorkCover to give actuaries information
WorkCover must give the appointed actuaries the information necessary to enable the actuaries to complete the calculation within the time mentioned in section 77 (3).
(1)For each calculation of a finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount must the appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the non-scheme insurer’s claims experience; and(g)apply the same risk free rate of return that was used in the calculation of the non-scheme employer’s liability amount; and(h)have regard to compensation and damages payments made in relation to the liability between the day WorkCover became liable for compensation and damages for the non-scheme employer’s liability and the end of 4 years after that day; and(i)be based on data as at the last day of the last financial quarter for which data is available at the end of 4 years after the day WorkCover became liable for compensation and damages for the non-scheme employer’s liability amount.(3)The data relied on under subsection (2) (i) may only relate to the period before the exit date.
(1)For each calculation of a finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount, each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the non-scheme employer; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the non-scheme employer; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the non-scheme employer for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the non-scheme employer; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the non-scheme employer; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the non-scheme employer to pay the non-scheme employer’s liability amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including its accuracy;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.(3)Each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report on the actuary’s calculation within 35 days after the end of 4 years after the day WorkCover became liable for compensation and damages for the non-scheme employer’s liability.
(1)The actuaries must jointly prepare a summary report that—(a)includes the individual actuarial reports; and(b)states how the individual reports agree or differ.(2)The actuaries must give a copy of the completed summary report to the Regulator, WorkCover and the non-scheme employer within 2 months after the end of 4 years after the day WorkCover became liable for compensation and damages for the non-scheme employer’s liability.
WorkCover and the finalised non-scheme employer liability amount may agree on the finalised non-scheme employer liability amount having regard to the summary report.
80Reference to arbiter if no agreement on amount
(1)WorkCover or the finalised non-scheme employer may advise the Regulator that WorkCover and the finalised non-scheme employer do not agree on the finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount.(2)If the Regulator is advised under subsection (1), the Regulator must refer the summary report to the arbiter to decide the finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount.
(1)If the amount (the agreed amount) agreed to by WorkCover and the non-scheme employer or, if there is no agreement, the amount (the decided amount) decided by the arbiter, for the calculation is more than the non-scheme employer’s liability amount—(a)the amount the non-scheme employer must pay WorkCover for the non-scheme employer’s liability is the agreed amount or decided amount; and(b)the non-scheme employer must pay WorkCover—(i)the difference between the amount of the payment (the interim payment) made under section 72 and the agreed amount or decided amount for the non-scheme employer’s liability; and(ii)interest on the difference, from the day the whole of the interim payment was paid, at the same risk free rate of return that was used in the calculation of the non-scheme employer’s liability amount.(2)If the agreed amount or decided amount is less than the interim payment—(a)the amount the non-scheme employer must pay WorkCover for the non-scheme employer’s liability is the agreed amount or decided amount; and(b)WorkCover must pay the non-scheme employer—(i)the difference between the interim payment and the agreed amount or decided amount for the liability; and(ii)interest on the difference, from the day the whole of the interim payment was paid, at the same risk free rate of return that was used in the calculation of an amount for the liability under subdivision 2.(3)WorkCover or the non-scheme employer must pay the amount of the difference within 28 days after—(a)WorkCover and the non-scheme employer agree on the recalculation; or(b)if there is no agreement, WorkCover or the non-scheme employer receives the statement of the arbiter’s decision about the recalculation.(4)On payment of the amount—(a)the non-scheme employer’s liability is finalised for section 105I (5) of the Act; and(b)no further amount is payable for the liability.
82Calculation of non-scheme members’ total liability—Act, s 105O (3) (a)
For section 105O (3) (a) of the Act, the amount of total liability after a change in the self-insurer’s membership must be calculated under this division.
(1)The old insurer and WorkCover must each appoint an actuary to calculate the total liability amount.(2)An actuary appointed by the old insurer must be approved by the non-scheme member.
84Parties to give actuaries information
The old insurer and WorkCover must give the appointed actuaries, in the form approved by the Regulator, the information necessary to enable the actuaries to complete the calculation within the time mentioned in section 86 (3).
A calculation of a total liability amount must—(a)be prepared under the actuarial standard; and(b)apply a central estimate of the relevant liability; and(c)apply the risk free rate of return; and(d)include claims administration expenses of 7% of the outstanding liability; and(e)not include a prudential margin; and(f)be based, as far as practicable, on the claims experience of the employer or member of a group employer that is the subject of the transfer of liability; and(g)be based on data as at the assessment day.
(1)For each calculation of a total liability amount each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report under the actuarial standard.(2)The actuarial report must state the following—(a)the amount;(b)the key assumptions made for the calculation;(c)how the key assumptions have been derived, including—(i)the average amount of claims for compensation against the non-scheme member; and(ii)the average amount of claims for damages against the non-scheme member; and(iii)claims anticipated to have been incurred by the non-scheme member, for which no formal claim has been lodged; and(iv)the frequency of claims for compensation against the non-scheme member; and(v)the frequency of claims for damages against the non-scheme member; and(vi)the net amount of the claims after allowing for future inflation (inflated value); and(vii)the net present value of the inflated value after allowing for income from assets set aside by the non-scheme member to pay the amount; and(viii)the rate of inflation used;(d)the nature of the data used in the calculation;(e)the actuary’s assessment of the data, including accuracy of the data;(f)how the actuary interpreted the data;(g)the actuarial model used in the calculation;(h)the results of the calculation;(i)the actuary’s confidence in the results of the calculation.(3)Each appointed actuary must prepare an actuarial report within 35 days after the final day.
(1)The actuaries must jointly prepare a summary report that—(a)includes the individual actuarial reports; and(b)states how the individual reports agree or differ.(2)The actuaries must give a copy of the completed summary report to the Regulator, WorkCover and the old insurer, within 2 months after the final day.
The old insurer and WorkCover may agree on the liability amount having regard to the summary report.
89Reference to arbiter if no agreement on amount
(1)WorkCover or the old insurer may advise the Regulator that WorkCover and the old insurer do not agree on the liability amount.(2)If the Regulator is advised under subsection (1), the Regulator must refer the summary report to the arbiter to decide the liability amount.
(1)For section 105O (3) (b) of the Act, the old insurer must pay the agreed amount or decided amount—(a)within 3 months after the final day; or(b)on a later day agreed to by the old insurer and WorkCover.(2)The old insurer must pay WorkCover—(a)the non-scheme member’s total liability amount (the agreed amount) agreed to by the old insurer and WorkCover; or(b)if there is no agreement—the non-scheme member’s total liability amount (the decided amount) decided by the arbiter.(3)The agreed amount or decided amount paid to WorkCover must be adjusted by the actuary of the old insurer to take into account—(a)compensation and damages payments made between the assessment day and the final day; and(b)claims lodged against the non-scheme member between the assessment day and the final day.(4)The old insurer must advise the Regulator of the following no later than the day the total liability amount must be paid—(a)the amount of the total liability;(b)the day WorkCover assumes liability;(c)details of the old insurer and the non-scheme member.
91Transfer of claims information
The old insurer must give WorkCover claims information in relation to the liability no later than the day the agreed or decided amount is paid.
92Function of actuarial arbiter
The functions of the actuarial arbiter are—(a)to consider the actuarial reports and the calculations of an amount for liability made under this part; and(b)to decide on an amount for the liability.
93Selection and appointment of actuarial arbiter
(1)The arbiter is to be selected by a selection panel consisting of—(a)2 individuals nominated by the Regulator; and(b)2 individuals nominated by WorkCover; and(c)2 individuals nominated by the Association of Self Insured Employers of Queensland.(2)The arbiter must be a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries or be an Accredited Member of the Institute.(3)The Regulator must appoint the arbiter for a term of not more than 3 years.(4)The arbiter’s conditions of appointment are to be set out in the contract made between the Regulator and the arbiter.
(1)After considering the actuarial reports and the calculations of an amount for the liability by the actuaries, the arbiter must decide on—(a)the central estimate for the liability; and(b)an amount for the liability.(2)An amount for the liability decided by the arbiter must not be—(a)more than the higher of the amounts calculated by the actuaries; and(b)less than the lower of the amounts.(3)The arbiter must give a written statement of the arbiter’s decision, and the reasons for the decision, within 21 days after the summary report is referred to the arbiter.
The arbiter’s decision is final.
The arbiter’s costs in deciding a liability amount are to be paid in equal amounts by the following—(a)if the decision is for an amount of outstanding liability—WorkCover and the employer;(b)if the decision is for an amount of the total liability—the relevant parties;(c)if the decision is for an amount of liability after cancellation of the self-insurer’s licence—WorkCover and the former self-insurer;(d)if the decision is for an amount of estimated claims liability—the Regulator and the self-insurer;(e)if the decision is for an amount for non-scheme employer’s liability—WorkCover and the non-scheme employer;(f)if the decision is for an amount for a recalculation of a non-scheme employer’s liability—WorkCover and the non-scheme employer;(g)if the decision is for an amount for the total liability of a non-scheme member—WorkCover and the old insurer.
97Calculation of NWE—Act, s 106 (3)
This division prescribes the way to calculate the NWE for section 106 (3) of the Act.
98What amounts may be taken into account
(1)In calculating the NWE the following may be taken into account—(a)amounts paid to the worker by way of overtime, higher duties, penalties and allowances that are of a regular nature, required by an employer;(b)amounts that would have continued if not for the injury may be taken into account.(2)However, amounts mentioned in the Act, schedule 6, definition wages, paragraphs (a) to (d) must not be taken into account in calculating the NWE.
99NWE if impracticable to calculate rate of worker’s remuneration
(1)This section applies if it is impracticable, at the date of injury to a worker, to calculate the rate of the worker’s remuneration because of—(a)the period of time for which the worker has been employed; or(b)the terms of the worker’s employment.(2)In calculating the rate of the worker’s remuneration, regard must be had to—(a)the NWE during the 12 months immediately before the date of injury of a person employed by the same employer who—(i)is employed under the same or a comparable relevant industrial agreement or the same or comparable terms and conditions, the worker; and(ii)performs the same or comparable work as the worker; or(b)if paragraph (a) does not apply—the NWE during the 12 months immediately before the date of injury of a person employed by another employer who—(i)is employed under the same or comparable relevant industrial agreement or the same or comparable terms and conditions as the worker; or(ii)receives the same or comparable remuneration as the worker and performs the same or comparable work as the worker.
100NWE if worker worked for 2 or more employers
(1)This section applies if a worker has worked under concurrent contracts of service with 2 or more employers, under which the worker has worked at 1 time for 1 employer and at another time for another of the employers.(2)The worker’s NWE is to be calculated as if earnings under all the contracts were earnings in the employment of the employer for whom the worker was working when the injury was sustained.
101NWE if insurer considers calculation unfair
(1)This section applies if an insurer considers that the calculation of NWE under this division would be unfair.(2)The NWE may be calculated in a way the insurer considers to be fair, and the calculation under this subsection is taken to be the worker’s NWE.
102Application for compensation to include evidence or particulars—Act, s 132 (3) (b)
(1)For section 132 (3) (b) of the Act, the following evidence or particulars are prescribed—(a)the injury and its cause;(b)the nature, extent and duration of incapacity resulting from the injury;(c)if the injury is, or results in, the death of a worker, proof of—(i)the worker’s death; and(ii)the identity of the worker; and(iii)the relationship to the worker, and dependency, of persons claiming to be the worker’s dependants;(d)if the injury is a latent onset injury that is a terminal condition and the worker has dependants—proof of the relationship to the worker of persons claiming to be the worker’s dependants.(2)In this section—dependant, of a worker, means a member of the worker’s family who is completely or partly dependent on the worker’s earnings.member of the family, of a worker, means—(a)the worker’s—(i)spouse; or(ii)parent, grandparent or step-parent; or(iii)child, grandchild or stepchild; or(iv)brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister; or(b)if the worker stands in the place of a parent to another person—the other person; or(c)if another person stands in the place of a parent to the worker—the other person.
103If dentist, doctor or nurse practitioner not available
(1)This section applies if—(a)a person does not lodge a certificate in the approved form with an application made under section 132, 132A or 132B of the Act in relation to a worker; and(b)the certificate can not be provided because the dentist, doctor or nurse practitioner required to give the certificate under the section was not available to attend the worker.(2)The person must complete and lodge with the insurer a declaration in the approved form.(3)For a non-fatal injury, the declaration—(a)may be accepted by the insurer only once for injury to the worker in any 1 event; and(b)is acceptable proof of incapacity of the worker for up to 3 days.(4)The declaration is taken to be a certificate in the approved form for section 132 (3) (a), 132A (3) (c) (i) or 132B (3) (c) (i) of the Act.s 103 amd 2015 SL No. 135 s 4
104Certificate given by dentist, doctor or nurse practitioner
(1)This section applies if—(a)a certificate in the approved form is not lodged with an application made under section 132, 132A or 132B of the Act in relation to a worker who sustains an injury; and(b)the worker sustained the injury in another State or country.(2)The insurer must accept a written certificate that is substantially to the effect of the approved form from the dentist, doctor or nurse practitioner who attended the worker.(3)The certificate is taken to be a certificate in the approved form for section 132 (3) (a), 132A (3) (c) (i) or 132B (3) (c) (i) of the Act.(4)Also, on the insurer’s request, the dentist, doctor or nurse practitioner who attended the worker must give a detailed report on the worker’s condition to the insurer within 10 days after receiving the request.(5)The fee payable to the dentist, doctor or nurse practitioner for the report is an amount that the insurer considers to be reasonable, having regard to the relevant table of costs.s 104 amd 2015 SL No. 135 s 5
105Application for compensation for assessment of DPI—Act, s 132A (3) (c) (ii)
For section 132A (3) (c) (ii) of the Act, the following evidence or particulars are prescribed—(a)proof of the injury and its cause;(b)proof of the nature, extent and duration of incapacity resulting from the injury.
105AApplication for certificate of dependency—Act, s 132B (3) (c) (ii)
For section 132B (3) (c) (ii) of the Act, the following evidence is prescribed—(a)proof of the injury and its cause;(b)proof of the identity of the worker;(c)proof of the worker’s death;(d)proof of the relationship to the worker, and dependency, of the person claiming to be the worker’s dependant.s 105A ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 6
106Request for examination of claimant or worker—Act, ss 135 and 510
(1)A request under sections 135 and 510 of the Act for a personal examination must be made in writing.(2)The request must specify—(a)the name of the doctor or other registered person, who is not employed by the insurer under a contract of service, engaged to make the examination; and(b)if the doctor is a specialist—the field of specialty; and(c)the day, time and place for the examination.(3)A doctor or other registered person who examines a claimant or worker must, within 10 days after the examination, give the insurer—(a)a written report on the examination; and(b)an itemised account for the examination.(4)Fees payable to a doctor or other registered person for the examination—(a)are payable by the insurer; and(b)are payable for—(i)making the examination; and(ii)giving a report to the insurer; and(c)are the costs accepted by the insurer to be reasonable, having regard to the relevant table of costs.
div hdg amd 2015 SL No. 135 s 7
107Additional lump sum compensation—workers with latent onset injuries that are terminal—Act, s 128B (2) (c)
For section 128B (2) (c) of the Act, the additional lump sum compensation, and graduated scale, set out in schedule 2 are prescribed.
108Calculating lump sum compensation—Act, s 180 (1)
For section 180 (1) of the Act, the lump sum compensation for a worker’s DPI is calculated by multiplying the maximum statutory compensation by the worker’s DPI.A worker’s DPI is assessed as 10%. The maximum statutory compensation is $307,385. The lump sum compensation is $30,738.50.
109Additional lump sum compensation for workers with DPI of 30% or more—Act, s 192 (2)
For section 192 (2) of the Act, the additional lump sum compensation, and graduated scale, set out in schedule 3 are prescribed.s 109 amd 2015 SL No. 135 s 8
110Additional lump sum compensation for gratuitous care (occupational therapist’s assessment)—Act, ss 193(4) and 224(3)
For sections 193 (4) and 224 (3) of the Act, the prescribed way of assessing the worker’s level of dependency is the way stated in the modified barthel index.
111Additional lump sum compensation for gratuitous care (occupational therapist’s report)—Act, ss 193(5)(b) and 224(4)(b)
For sections 193 (5) (b) and 224 (4) (b) of the Act, the following information, relating to the level of day to day care (the level of care) provided by a person at the worker’s home, is prescribed—(a)whether the level of care was provided to the worker before the worker sustained the impairment;(b)whether the level of care would ordinarily be provided in the worker’s home;(c)if the level of care is likely to continue to be provided in the worker’s home;(d)the number of hours of the level of care required by the worker.
112Additional lump sum compensation for gratuitous care—Act, s 193 (6)
(1)For section 193 (6) of the Act, the additional lump sum compensation, and graduated scale, set out in schedule 4 are prescribed.(2)For section 193 (6) (c) of the Act, the occupational therapist’s report is prescribed.(3)In this section—occupational therapist’s report means the report prepared by the occupational therapist under section 193 (5) of the Act.
div hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
sdiv hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
In this division—injury means an injury mentioned in section 193A (1) of the Act.panel means the panel established under section 112R.qualifying condition means the condition prescribed by section 112D.section 193A compensation, for an injury, means the additional lump sum compensation mentioned in section 193A (2) of the Act for the injury.section 193A notice see section 112G (1).specified worker means a worker to whom section 193A of the Act applies.s 112A ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
For section 193A of the Act, this division prescribes the following—(a)the amount of section 193A compensation for an injury;(b)the condition to which an entitlement to section 193A compensation is subject;(c)the process for deciding whether the condition mentioned in paragraph (b) is satisfied for a specified worker;(d)the establishment of a panel to review decisions made by insurers about section 193A compensation.s 112B ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
sdiv hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112CAmount of compensation—Act, s 193A (2) (a)
For section 193A (2) (a) of the Act, the amount of section 193A compensation for an injury sustained by a specified worker in relation to whom the qualifying condition is satisfied is the amount provided for under schedule 4A.s 112C ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112DQualifying condition—Act, s 193A (2) (b)
(1)For section 193A (2) (b) of the Act, this section prescribes the condition applying to an entitlement to section 193A compensation for an injury sustained by a specified worker.(2)The worker is entitled to section 193A compensation only if—(a)the insurer is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, the worker’s employer is, or would have been, liable to pay damages to the worker; but(b)the worker can not seek damages because of the application of former section 237 (1) (a) (i).(3)In this section—former section 237(1)(a)(i) means section 237 (1) (a) (i) of the Act, as in force from 15 October 2013 until 31 January 2015.s 112D ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
sdiv hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
This subdivision applies if—(a)a worker’s DPI has been decided; and(b)the worker is a specified worker.1 Section 193A of the Act applies only if a worker’s DPI has been decided—see section 191 of the Act.2Also, see chapter 3, part 10 of the Act for provisions about—•assessing a worker’s injury to decide if the injury has resulted in a DPI; and•giving the worker a notice of assessment stating the DPI for the injury; and•an insurer making an offer of compensation to the worker.s 112E ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112FInsurer to consider qualifying condition
An insurer must decide—(a)whether the insurer has enough information to decide whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker; and(b)if the insurer decides it has enough information—whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker.s 112F ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
(1)After deciding the matters mentioned in section 112F, the insurer must give the worker a notice (a section 193A notice in the approved form.(2)If the insurer decides the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker, the section 193A notice must state the amount of section 193A compensation to which the worker is entitled for the worker’s injury.(3)If the insurer decides the qualifying condition is not satisfied for the worker, the section 193A notice must state—(a)the insurer’s decision; and(b)that the worker may ask the insurer for written reasons for the decision; and(c)that the worker may apply to the panel for a review of the decision only if the worker has asked the insurer for the reasons for the decision.(4)If the insurer decides it does not have enough information to decide whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker, the section 193A notice must state—(a)the insurer’s decision; and(b)that the worker may, within 60 business days after receiving the notice, give the insurer information to enable the insurer to decide whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker; and(c)that, if the worker does not give the insurer the information within the period mentioned in paragraph (b)—(i)the qualifying condition will be taken not to be satisfied for the worker; and(ii)the worker will not be entitled to section 193A compensation; and(iii)the worker will not have a right to apply to the panel for a review of the matters mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii).s 112G ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112HWorker may request reasons
(1)This section applies if an insurer has given the worker a section 193A notice stating the insurer has decided the qualifying condition is not satisfied for the worker.(2)The worker may, within 10 business days after receiving the notice, ask the insurer for written reasons for the decision.(3)The insurer must give the worker the reasons for the decision within 10 business days after receiving the worker’s request.s 112H ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
(1)This section applies if the insurer has given the worker a section 193A notice stating the insurer does not have enough information to decide whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker.(2)The worker—(a)may give the insurer information relevant to the decision within 60 business days after receiving the section 193A notice; and(b)if the worker gives information to the insurer under paragraph (a)—must advise the insurer whether the worker has engaged a lawyer and incurred legal costs in giving the information.(3)Despite subsection (2) (a), the insurer may, at the worker’s request, decide to allow the worker to give the insurer information after the period mentioned in the subsection has ended if the worker has a reasonable excuse for not giving the information during the period.(4)The qualifying condition is taken not to be satisfied for the worker if the worker does not give the insurer information relevant to the decision during the period—(a)mentioned in subsection (2) (a); or(b)decided by the insurer under subsection (3).s 112I ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112JDecision based on worker’s information
(1)This section applies if the worker has given the insurer information under section 112I.(2)The insurer must consider the information and decide whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker.(3)The insurer must make the decision within the later of the following periods to end—(a)60 business days after receiving the information from the worker;(b)if the insurer meets with the worker under section 112K—10 business days after the day of the meeting.(4)If the insurer decides the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker, the insurer must give the worker a written notice in the approved form stating the amount of section 193A compensation to which the worker is entitled for the worker’s injury.(5)If the insurer decides the qualifying condition is not satisfied for the worker, the insurer must give the worker written reasons for the decision.(6)If the insurer does not make a decision within the period mentioned in subsection (3), the insurer is taken to have decided the qualifying condition is not satisfied for the worker.s 112J ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112KMeeting before decision made
(1)This section applies if—(a)the worker has given the insurer information under section 112I; and(b)the insurer proposes to decide the qualifying condition is not satisfied for the worker.(2)Before making the decision, the insurer must—(a)give the worker an opportunity to meet with the insurer to discuss the proposed decision; and(b)if the worker agrees to meet with the insurer—give the worker any relevant information the insurer holds at least 10 business days before the meeting.(3)The insurer is not required to give the worker more than 1 opportunity to meet with the insurer.(4)In this section—relevant information, in relation to a worker, means information, other than information given to the insurer by the worker, that the insurer intends to consider for making the proposed decision.s 112K ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
sdiv hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
In this subdivision—decision, of an insurer, includes a decision taken to have been made by the insurer under section 112J (6).s 112L ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
This subdivision applies to a worker—(a)who, under subdivision 3, has received written reasons for an insurer’s decision that the qualifying condition is not satisfied for the worker; or(b)in relation to whom an insurer is taken to have decided that the qualifying condition is not satisfied under section 112J (6).s 112M ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
(1)The worker may apply to the panel for a review of the decision within 20 business days after—(a)the worker receives written reasons for the decision; or(b)the day on which the worker becomes aware the insurer has failed to decide whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker within the period mentioned in section 112J (3).(2)The application must include the following—(a)the worker’s reasons for asking for a review of the decision;(b)if the worker has received written reasons for the decision—the reasons;(c)if the worker has not already had an opportunity to give the insurer information about whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker—any information the worker wants the panel to consider in support of the worker’s application;(d)if the worker has engaged a lawyer and incurred legal costs in relation to the application—a statutory declaration verifying the worker has engaged the lawyer and incurred legal costs.(3)The worker must give the insurer a copy of the application.s 112N ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112OInsurer to give information to panel
As soon as practicable after receiving a copy of the worker’s application under section 112N, the insurer must give the panel and the worker any information the insurer has considered in deciding whether the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker.s 112O ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
(1)After considering the application and reviewing the insurer’s decision, the panel must decide to—(a)confirm the decision; or(b)cancel the decision and substitute a new decision.(2)The panel must give the worker and the insurer written notice of its decision and the reasons for its decision.(3)The panel’s decision—(a)is final; and(b)if the decision is to substitute a new decision—is taken to be the insurer’s decision that the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker.(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the panel may review the insurer’s decision without receiving oral submissions.s 112P ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
112QInsurer must notify amount of entitlement
(1)This section applies if the insurer is notified by the panel that the insurer’s decision is substituted with a new decision that the qualifying condition is satisfied for the worker.(2)The insurer must give the worker a written notice in the approved form stating the amount of section 193A compensation to which the worker is entitled for the worker’s injury.s 112Q ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
sdiv hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
(1)For section 193A (3) of the Act, there is to be a panel made up of 1 chairperson and 2 other members.(2)The function of the panel is to meet, as required, to review decisions under subdivision 4.s 112R ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
(1)The Minister must appoint a chairperson and 2 other members to the panel, on terms decided by the Minister.(2)The Minister must ensure that each person appointed to the panel—(a)is qualified, or eligible to qualify, as a lawyer; and(b)has demonstrated significant experience relevant to the laws of personal injury and negligence.s 112S ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
The Regulator may decide administrative matters about the panel that are not provided for under this subdivision, including, for example, the way in which the panel members must meet.s 112T ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
sdiv hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
To remove any doubt, it is declared that a decision made by an insurer or the panel under this division does not impose liability on, or otherwise affect the liability of, the insurer or an employer for any other purpose or proceeding.s 112U ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 9
113Payment of caring allowance—Act, s 225 (a)
(1)For section 225 (a) of the Act, if an insurer pays a caring allowance, the prescribed way of payment is for the insurer to—(a)decide the number of hours of the level of care required by the worker having regard to the occupational therapist’s report, and the graduated scale set out in schedule 5; and(b)decide the allowance having regard to the information in the occupational therapist’s report; and(c)pay the allowance at an hourly rate equal to the carer pension rate divided by 35.(2)In this section—carer pension rate means the weekly amount of the maximum single carer pension rate payable from time to time under a Commonwealth law, but does not include an amount for allowances such as rent assistance or family payment.occupational therapist’s report means the report prepared by the occupational therapist under section 224 (3) of the Act.
114Functions of rehabilitation and return to work coordinator—Act, s 41 (b)
For section 41 (b) of the Act, the following functions are prescribed—(a)initiate early communication with an injured worker in order to clarify the nature and severity of the worker’s injury;(b)provide overall coordination of the worker’s return to work;(c)if a rehabilitation and return to work plan is required—(i)consult with the worker and the worker’s employer to develop the suitable duties program component of the plan; and(ii)ensure the program is consistent with the current medical certificate or report for the worker’s injury;(d)liaise with—(i)any person engaged by the employer to help in the worker’s rehabilitation and return to work; and(ii)the insurer about the worker’s progress and indicate, as early as possible, if there is a need for the insurer to assist or intervene.
115Criteria for employer to appoint rehabilitation and return to work coordinator—Act, s 226 (1)
(1)For section 226 (1) of the Act, the following criteria is prescribed—(a)for an employer who employs workers at a workplace in a high risk industry—the wages of the employer in Queensland for the preceding financial year were more than 2600 times QOTE;(b)otherwise—the wages of the employer in Queensland for the preceding financial year were more than 5200 times QOTE.(2)For the purpose of section 226 (3) (a) of the Act, an employer is taken to have established a workplace, or started to employ workers at the workplace, when the employer first meets the criteria.(3)An employer may appoint a person as the rehabilitation and return to work coordinator for more than 1 workplace if the person can reasonably perform the person’s functions as a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator for each workplace.(4)In this section—high risk industry means an industry specified by the Regulator by gazette notice.
116Standard for rehabilitation—Act, s 228 (2)
For section 228 (2) of the Act, the standard for the rehabilitation that the employer must provide is contained in the guidelines made by the Regulator for the purpose of this section.
(1)The Regulator must keep a copy of each guideline, as in force from time to time, available for inspection, free of charge at—(a)the department’s head office; and(b)other places the Regulator considers appropriate.(2)Also, the Regulator must publish each guideline, as in force from time to time, on the department’s website.
118Notice of claim for damages—Act, s 275
For section 275 (3) of the Act, the particulars contained in this division are prescribed.
119Particulars of claimant and worker
(1)A notice of claim must include—(a)the worker’s—(i)full name and any other known names; and(ii)residential address; and(iii)date of birth; and(iv)gender; and(v)usual occupation and, if that differs from the nature of employment at the time the worker was injured, the nature of the employment at that time; and(b)the name and address of every employer of the worker at the time the worker was injured.(2)Also, if the claimant is not the worker, the notice of claim must include the claimant’s—(a)full name and any other known names; and(b)residential address; and(c)date of birth; and(d)gender.
A notice of claim must include the following—(a)the date, time and place of the event;(b)the claimant’s description of the facts of the circumstances surrounding the worker’s injury;(c)the names and addresses of all witnesses to the injury, and their relationship, if any, to the worker;(d)the name and address of any person on behalf of the claimant’s employer to whom the claimant reported the injury and the details of their employment;(e)the full particulars of the negligence alleged against the claimant’s employer and any other party on which the claim is based;(f)if a party other than the claimant’s employer is involved—(i)the liability expressed as a percentage that the claimant holds the other party responsible; and(ii)details of the notice of claim given to the party.
(1)A notice of claim must include, full particulars of the nature and extent of—(a)all injuries alleged to have been sustained by the claimant or worker because of the event resulting in the injury; and(b)the degree of permanent impairment that the claimant alleges has resulted from the injuries; and(c)the amount of damages sought under each head of damage claimed by the claimant and the method of calculating each amount; and(d)how the claimant or worker is currently affected by the injuries.(2)Also, the notice of claim must include all personal injuries, illnesses and impairments of a medical, psychiatric or psychological nature sustained by the claimant or worker, either before or after the event—(a)that may affect—(i)the extent of the permanent impairment resulting from the injury to which the claim relates: or(ii)the amount of damages in another way; and(b)for which the claimant has claimed damages, compensation or benefits—(i)the name and address of any person against whom a claim for damages or compensation was made; and(ii)if an insurer or other insurance provider was involved in that claim—the name and address of that entity.
122Particulars of hospital, treatment and rehabilitation
(1)A notice of claim must include the name and address of each of the following—(a)each hospital at which the claimant or worker has been treated for the injury;(b)each doctor who treated the claimant or worker for the injury;(c)each provider of treatment or rehabilitation services assessed, treated, or provided treatment or rehabilitation services for, permanent impairment arising from the injury.(2)Also, if section 121 (2) applies, the notice of claim must include the name and address of—(a)each hospital at which the claimant or worker has been treated for an injury, illness or impairment; and(b)each doctor who treated the claimant for the injury, illness or impairment.
123Particulars if claim for diminished income earning capacity
If the claimant claims damages for diminished income earning capacity, a notice of claim must include the following particulars of the claimant’s employment for the 3 year period immediately before the event, and the period since the event—(a)the name and address of each of the claimant’s employers;(b)the period of employment by each employer;(c)the capacity in which the claimant was employed by each employer;(d)the claimant’s gross and net (after tax) earnings for each period of employment;(e)the periods during which the claimant was receiving payments from Centrelink on behalf of the department in which the Social Security Act 1991 (Cwlth) is administered;(f)the periods during which the claimant received no income, and the reasons why the claimant was not receiving any income.See also section 276 of the Act.
124Particulars if injury causes death
(1)A notice of claim relating to an injury causing death must include the following additional particulars—(a)if the claimant is the spouse of the deceased worker—(i)the relevant date; and(ii)the relevant place; and(iii)the claimant’s net (after tax) weekly income immediately before and after the worker’s death; and(iv)the age to which the claimant intended to work and the basis of the claimant’s future employment, that is, whether full-time or part-time; and(v)details of any health problems that the claimant currently has; and(vi)the amount of average weekly financial benefit derived by the claimant from the deceased worker before the worker’s death and the method of calculating the amount; and(vii)the expected date of birth of a posthumous child of the relationship; and(viii)details of any remarriage or start of a marriage-like relationship; or(b)if the claimant is not the spouse of the deceased worker—(i)the claimant’s relationship to the deceased worker; and(ii)the claimant’s net (after tax) weekly earnings; and(iii)the age to which the claimant would have been dependent on the deceased worker and the basis of the dependency; and(iv)details of any health problems that the claimant currently has; and(v)the amount of average weekly financial benefit derived by the claimant from the deceased worker immediately before the worker’s death and the method of calculating the amount.(2)In this section—relevant date means—(a)the date of marriage; or(b)the date of registration of the registered relationship; or(c)the date on which the de facto relationship started.relevant place means—(a)the place of the marriage; or(b)the place where the registered relationship was registered; or(c)for a relationship taken to be registered as a registered relationship under the Relationships Act 2011 —the place where the registered relationship was entered into under the relevant corresponding law; or(d)the residential address where the de facto relationship started.
A notice of claim must include all steps taken by the worker or claimant to mitigate their loss.
126Time for adding another person as contributor—Act, s 278A (1)
For section 278A (1) of the Act, the prescribed time is the later of the following—(a)30 business days after the insurer receives the notice of claim;(b)5 business days after the insurer identifies someone else as a contributor.
127Contribution notice to contain particular information—Act, s 278B (1) (a)
For section 278B (1) (a) of the Act, the following information is prescribed—(a)the contributor’s full name;(b)the contributor’s business address;(c)the contributor’s postal address;(d)the name and contact details of the contributor’s legal representatives, if appointed;(e)the contributor’s ABN, if any;(f)if the contributor is a corporation—(i)the corporation’s ACN; and(ii)the corporation’s registered office.
128Prescribed amount of damages for loss of consortium or loss of servitium—Act, s 306M (1) (b)
For an injury sustained during a period stated in an item of the following table, the amount stated in the item is prescribed.
Item
Period (dates inclusive)
Amount
1
1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011
$35,340
2
1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
$36,350
3
1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013
$38,290
4
1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014
$39,430
5
1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
$40,920
6
1 July 2015 and after
$41,920
s 128 sub 2015 SL No. 47 s 12
129Rules for assessing injury scale value—Act, s 306O (1) (c) (i)
For section 306O (1) (c) (i) of the Act, a court must have regard to the following—(a)for assessment of the ranges of injury scale value—the ranges mentioned in schedule 9;(b)for matters to which a court is to have regard in the application of schedule 9—the rules mentioned in schedule 8;(c)for the PIRS that must be used with schedule 9—the scales mentioned in schedule 11;(d)for matters relevant to the application of schedule 11 and requirements with which a medical expert must comply in assessing a PIRS rating—the matters mentioned in schedule 10.
130General damages calculation provisions—Act, s 306P (2), definition general damages calculation provisions
(1)For each period stated in a table in schedule 12, this section and that table are the general damages calculation provisions for the period.(2)For an injury within the injury scale value stated in an item of a table, the general damages are the sum of—(a)the base amount for the item (if any); and(b)the variable amount for the item.(3)In this section—variable amount means the amount worked out in the way stated in the column of a table with the heading ‘variable amount’.s 130 sub 2015 SL No. 47 s 13
131Prescribed amount of award for future loss—Act, s 306R (2)
For an injury sustained during a period stated in an item of the following table, the amount stated in the item is prescribed.
Item
Period (dates inclusive)
Amount
1
1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011
$117,800
2
1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
$121,160
3
1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013
$127,620
4
1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014
$131,420
5
1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
$136,400
6
1 July 2015 and after
$139,740
s 131 sub 2015 SL No. 47 s 13
132Costs—proceeding before industrial magistrate or industrial commission
(1)A decision to award costs of a proceeding heard by an industrial magistrate or the industrial commission is at the discretion of the magistrate or commission.(2)If the magistrate or commission awards costs—(a)costs in relation to counsel’s or solicitor’s fees are as under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 , schedule 3, part 2, scale E; and(b)costs in relation to witnesses’ fees and expenses are as under the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2009 , part 4; and(c)costs in relation to bailiff’s fees are as under the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2009 , schedule 2, part 2.(3)The magistrate or commission may allow costs up to 1.5 times the amounts provided for under subsection (2) (a), in total or in relation to any item, if the magistrate or commission is satisfied the amounts are inadequate having regard to—(a)the work involved; or(b)the importance, difficulty or complexity of the matter to which the proceeding relates.
133Payment of additional amount for costs
(1)This section applies if—(a)the Regulator or an insurer is required to pay costs in a proceeding in relation to a witness who—(i)is a medical practitioner; or(ii)gives evidence of a professional nature; and(b)the amount of fees and expenses payable in relation to the witness by the party that called the witness is more than the amount of costs allowed by the industrial magistrate or the industrial commission.(2)The Regulator or the insurer may, on the application of the party that called the witness, pay an additional amount for costs that the Regulator or the insurer is satisfied are reasonable, having regard to the subject matter of the proceeding.
134Who this division applies to
This division applies to a claimant who is—(a)a worker whose DPI is 20% or more; or(b)a worker who has a terminal condition; or(c)a dependant.
135Costs before proceeding started
(1)This section prescribes the legal professional costs of a claim before a proceeding is started.(2)If a claimant recovers at least $150,000 net damages, the costs are—(a)if the claim is settled—(i)without holding a compulsory conference—120% of the amount in schedule 6, column A; or(ii)after a compulsory conference is held—the amounts in schedule 6, columns A and B; and(b)for investigation of liability by an expert—the amount in schedule 6, column C; and(c)for an application to the court—the amount in schedule 6, column D.(3)If a claimant recovers net damages of $50,000 or more but less than $150,000, the costs are 85% of the amount calculated under subsection (2).(4)If a claimant recovers less than $50,000 net damages, the costs are 85% of the amount calculated under subsection (2) multiplied by the proportion that the net damages bear to $50,000.If the net damages recovered are $30,000, the costs are (85% of the amount calculated under subsection (2)) x 3/5.(5)However, if a court in the proceeding awards the payment of legal costs, the costs recoverable under subsections (2), (3) and (4) are multiplied by 120%.(6)In this section—net damages means the damages recovered less the compensation paid by an insurer.
136Costs after proceeding started
(1)This section prescribes the legal professional costs of a claim after a proceeding is started.(2)The costs are chargeable under the relevant scales of costs for work done for or in a proceeding in the court.(3)However, the costs do not include—(a)the cost of work performed before the proceeding is started; or(b)the cost of work performed before the proceeding is started that is performed again after the proceeding is started.
(1)In addition to legal costs, the following outlays incurred by the claimant are allowed—(a)1 hospital report fee for each hospital that treated the worker’s injury;(b)1 report fee for each doctor in general practice who treated the worker’s injury;(c)1 medical specialist’s report fee for each medical discipline reasonably relevant and necessary for the understanding of the worker’s injury;(d)1 report fee of an expert investigating liability, of not more than $1000, less any proportion of the fee agreed to be paid by the insurer;(e)Australian Taxation Office or tax agents’ fees for supplying copies of income tax returns;(f)fees charged by the claimant’s previous employers for giving information necessary for the claimant to complete the notice of claim, but not more than $50 for each employer;(g)fees charged by a mediator of an amount previously agreed to by the insurer;(h)filing fees or other necessary charges incurred in relation to an application to the court before a proceeding is started;(i)reasonable fees for sundry items properly incurred, other than photocopying costs.(2)The fees—(a)are allowable only for reports mentioned in subsection (1) (a) to (d) disclosed before the start of proceedings; and(b)for subsection (1) (a) to (c)—are payable according to the recommended Australian Medical Association scale of fees.
138Medical assessment tribunals—Act, s 492
For section 492 of the Act each of the following is prescribed—(a)the General Medical Assessment Tribunal;(b)specialty medical tribunals, including the following—(i)the Cardiac Assessment Tribunal;(ii)the Orthopaedic Assessment Tribunal;(iii)the Dermatology Assessment Tribunal;(iv)the Ear, Nose and Throat Assessment Tribunal;(v)the Neurology/Neurosurgical Assessment Tribunal;(vi)the Ophthalmology Assessment Tribunal;(vii)the Disfigurement Assessment Tribunal;(c)the Composite Medical Assessment Tribunal.
139Constitution of General Medical Assessment Tribunal
(1)For deciding a matter referred to the General Medical Assessment Tribunal, the tribunal is constituted by—(a)if the chairperson is a specialist—(i)the chairperson; and(ii)2 appointees to the panel of doctors for the tribunal chosen by the chairperson; or(b)if the chairperson is not a specialist and there is at least 1 deputy chairperson who is a specialist—(i)a deputy chairperson who is a specialist chosen by the Regulator; and(ii)2 appointees to the panel of doctors for the tribunal chosen by the deputy chairperson; or(c)otherwise—(i)the chairperson; and(ii)2 appointees to the panel of doctors for the tribunal designated by the chairperson.(2)When choosing a member of the panel for the tribunal under subsection (1) (a) (ii), (b)(ii) or (c)(ii), the chairperson or deputy chairperson must consider the medical specialty that is relevant to the matters referred to the tribunal.(3)In this section—specialist means a specialist in the medical specialty relevant to the matters referred to the tribunal.
140Chairperson and deputy chairperson of General Medical Assessment Tribunal
(1)A chairperson must preside over meetings of the General Medical Assessment Tribunal.(2)However, if a deputy chairperson is designated under section 139 (1) (b) (i) for deciding a matter referred to the General Medical Assessment Tribunal, the deputy chairperson must act as chairperson and preside over the meetings of the tribunal for deciding the matter.(3)Also, if the chairperson is not available to attend to the business of the General Medical Assessment Tribunal, other than deciding a matter mentioned in subsection (2), a deputy chairperson must act as chairperson.(4)A deputy chairperson may act as a member of the General Medical Assessment Tribunal only if the deputy chairperson has been chosen for the purpose—(a)under section 139; or(b)by the chairperson.
141Constitution of a specialty medical tribunal
(1)For deciding a matter referred to a specialty medical tribunal, the tribunal is constituted by—(a)its chairperson; and(b)2 appointees to the panel of doctors for the tribunal, including persons appointed to the panel as deputy chairpersons, chosen by the chairperson.(2)When choosing a member of the panel for a specialty medical tribunal, the chairperson must consider the medical specialty that is relevant to the matters referred to the tribunal for decision.
142Chairperson and deputy chairperson of a specialty medical tribunal
(1)The chairperson must preside over meetings of a specialty medical tribunal.(2)If the chairperson is not available to attend to the business of a specialty medical tribunal—(a)if there is only 1 deputy chairperson of the tribunal—the deputy chairperson must act as chairperson; or(b)if there is more than 1 deputy chairperson of the tribunal—a deputy chairperson designated by the chairperson must act as chairperson.
143Constitution of Composite Medical Tribunal
(1)The constitution of a Composite Medical Tribunal is to be decided by—(a)the chairperson of the tribunal; and(b)if the chairperson of the tribunal is not the chairperson of the General Medical Assessment Tribunal—the chairperson of the General Medical Assessment Tribunal; and(c)the chairperson of each specialty medical assessment tribunal relevant to the matters to be decided.(2)The chairpersons must consult with the secretary of a Composite Medical Tribunal about the constitution of the tribunal.(3)When deciding the constitution of a Composite Medical Tribunal, the chairpersons must consider the medical specialty that is relevant to the matter referred to the tribunal for decision.(4)For deciding a matter referred to a Composite Medical Tribunal, the tribunal is constituted by—(a)a chairperson; and(b)at least 2 but not more than 4 appointees to the panel of doctors for the composite tribunal chosen by the chairperson.(5)The composite tribunal must consist of at least 1 specialist for each type of injury that is a subject of the reference to the tribunal.(6)However, the number of specialists for each type of injury must be equal.A worker has a post-traumatic stress disorder and a fractured arm, leg, and ribs. The tribunal would consist of—(a)1 psychiatrist and 1 orthopaedic surgeon; or(b)2 psychiatrists and 2 orthopaedic surgeons.(7)If, because of subsection (5), there would be an even number of members on the composite tribunal, the chairperson must also designate a physician to be a member of the tribunal.A worker has 3 different types of injuries. The tribunal would consist of the chairperson and 3 specialists. A physician is also to be a member of the tribunal.
144Chairperson and deputy chairperson of Composite Medical Tribunal
(1)The chairperson must preside over meetings of a Composite Medical Tribunal.(2)If the chairperson is not available to attend to the business of a Composite Medical Tribunal—(a)if there is only 1 deputy chairperson of the tribunal—the deputy chairperson must act as chairperson; or(b)if there is more than 1 deputy chairperson of the tribunal—a deputy chairperson designated by the chairperson must act as chairperson.
145Declaration of designated courts—Act, s 114 (4), definition designated court
(1)This section is made for section 114 (4) of the Act, definition designated court, paragraph (b).(2)Each court, tribunal or decision-making body mentioned in schedule 7, column 2, set out opposite the name of a State in schedule 7, column 1, is declared.
146Declaration of provisions—Act, s 322 (2), definition a State’s legislation about damages for a work related injury
(1)This section is made for section 322 (2) of the Act, definition a State’s legislation about damages for a work related injury, paragraph (b).(2)Each provision mentioned in schedule 7, column 3, set out opposite the name of a State in schedule 7, column 1, is declared.
147Documents and particulars to be kept—Act, s 532D (1) and (2)
(1)For section 532D (1) and (2) of the Act, the following are prescribed—(a)if the employer must keep a time and wages record for the employee under the Industrial Relations Act 1999 , section 366—the time and wages record; or(b)if the employer must keep an employee’s records under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cwlth), section 535—the employee record; or(c)documents, or accurate and complete copies of documents, required to be kept under a law of the Commonwealth for payments made to the employer’s workers or contractors for the performance of work, including, for example—(i)group certificates; and(ii)group employer’s reconciliation statements; and(iii)tax invoices to claim a GST credit; and(iv)invoices from a contractor received for work; or(d)the person’s profit and loss account, to the extent the account relates to amounts paid for wages for workers, or to contractors.(2)However, a document mentioned in subsection (1) (c) or (d) need not contain information an employer or contractor reasonably believes is—(a)confidential; and(b)not necessary to enable the Regulator or WorkCover to calculate the person’s actual expenditure on wages or for contracts for the period to which the document relates.•income and profit lines•tax file numbers(3)An employer or contractor need not comply with subsection (1) if—(a)the Regulator or WorkCover has given the employer or contractor notice that a document need not be kept, and the notice remains in force; or(b)the employer or contractor was a corporation and has been wound up.(4)In this section—employee record see Fair Work Act 2009 (Cwlth), section 12.time and wages record see Industrial Relations Act 1999 , section 363.worker does not include a household worker.
148Reasons for decisions must address certain matters—Act, ss 540(4) and 546(3AA)
(1)For sections 540 (4) and 546 (3AA) of the Act, the following matters are prescribed—(a)citation of the provision of the Act under which the decision is made; and(b)a statement of—(i)the evidence considered for the decision; and(ii)the evidence that was accepted or rejected for the decision and why the evidence was accepted or rejected; and(iii)the conclusions drawn from the evidence; and(iv)the link between the evidence, the conclusions and the relevant provision of the Act; and(v)the decision made.(2)Each reason for a decision must be written in plain English.
Part 11 Savings and transitional provision for Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2015
pt hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 10
149Decision about qualifying condition if DPI decided before commencement
(1)This section applies if—(a)before the commencement—a worker’s DPI was decided; and(b)on the commencement—the worker is a specified worker.(2)The insurer must, as soon as practicable after the commencement, decide the matters mentioned in section 112F for the worker.s 149 ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 10
Time of lodgement of declaration of wages | Additional premium |
on or after 1 September and not later than 31 October in 1 calendar year | the greater of—(a) 5% of assessed premium for the period of insurance to which the declaration relates; or(b) $5 |
on or after 1 November and not later than 30 November in 1 calendar year | the greater of—(a) 10% of assessed premium for the period of insurance to which the declaration relates; or(b) $10 |
on or after 1 December and not later than 31 December in 1 calendar year | the greater of—(a) 15% of assessed premium for the period of insurance to which the declaration relates; or(b) $15 |
on or after 1 January in the next calendar year | the greater of—(a) 20% of assessed premium for the period of insurance to which the declaration relates; or(b) $20 |
Schedule 2 Graduated scale for additional compensation for workers with terminal latent onset injuries
(1)This schedule contains the graduated scale for additional compensation for a worker who has a terminal condition that is a latent onset injury.(2)The maximum amount of lump sum compensation payable under this schedule is $307,385.
2How to use the graduated scale
The worker’s additional lump sum compensation entitlement is the amount shown in column 2 that corresponds to the age of the worker when the worker lodges the worker’s application for compensation as shown in column 1. Graduated scale
Column 1
Worker’s age
Column 2
Additional lump sum compensation
$
70 years or under
307,385
71 years
276,647
72 years
245,908
73 years
215,170
74 years
184,431
75 years
153,693
76 years
122,954
77 years
92,216
78 years
61,477
79 years
30,739
80 years or over
nil
(1)This schedule contains the graduated scale for additional compensation for a worker who sustains an injury that results in a DPI of 30% or more.(2)The maximum amount of lump sum compensation payable under this schedule is $307,385.
2How to use the graduated scale
A worker who sustains a DPI shown in column 1 is entitled to additional lump sum compensation in the amount shown for the corresponding entry in column 2. Graduated scale
Column 1
DPI
Column 2
Additional lump sum compensation
%
$
30
11,565
31
18,138
32
24,712
33
31,286
34
37,860
35
44,433
36
51,007
37
57,581
38
64,155
39
70,728
40
77,302
41
83,876
42
90,451
43
97,023
44
103,597
45
110,172
46
116,744
47
123,319
48
129,893
49
136,467
50
143,040
51
149,614
52
156,188
53
162,762
54
169,335
55
175,909
56
182,483
57
189,057
58
195,630
59
202,204
60
208,778
61
215,352
62
221,925
63
228,499
64
235,074
65
241,648
66
248,220
67
254,795
68
261,369
69
267,943
70
274,516
71
281,090
72
287,664
73
294,238
74
300,811
75–100
307,385
amd 2015 SL No. 135 s 11
(1)This schedule contains the graduated scale for additional compensation for gratuitous care.(2)The maximum amount of lump sum compensation payable under this schedule is $348,210.
2How to use the graduated scale
(1)The DPI is shown in column 1.(2)The range of dependency assessed under the modified barthel index is shown in column 2.(3)In column 2—(a)moderate is a modified barthel index total score of 50–74; and(b)severe is a modified barthel index total score of 25–49; and(c)total is a modified barthel index total score of 0–24.(4)The worker’s additional lump sum compensation entitlement is shown for the corresponding entry in column 3.Graduated scale
Column 1
DPI
Column 2
Range of dependency (modified barthel index)
Column 3
Additional lump sum compensation
%
$
15–39
moderate
severe
total
2820
5633
8438
40–49
moderate
severe
total
5249
10,682
15,923
50–59
moderate
severe
total
23,239
46,455
69,671
60–69
moderate
severe
total
58,075
104,491
139,312
70–79
moderate
severe
total
81,268
150,924
208,944
80–89
moderate
severe
total
92,872
187,711
278,577
90–94
moderate
severe
total
104,491
208,944
324,994
95–100
moderate
severe
total
116,080
232,191
348,210
1Amount of section 193A compensation
Section 193A compensation consists of the following amounts for an injury sustained by a specified worker in relation to whom the qualifying condition is satisfied—(a)an amount of compensation (the DPI amount)—(i)payable under the graduated scale in section 2 of this schedule; and(ii)applied to multiple injuries in the way provided for under section 3 of this schedule;(b)an amount of compensation (the legal cost amount) payable towards legal costs if the worker engages a lawyer and incurs legal costs for particular things done under part 4, division 3A.s 1 ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 12
A worker who sustains a DPI shown in column 1 is entitled to the amount shown in column 2 opposite the DPI.Graduated scale
Column 1
DPI
Column 2
DPI amount
%
$
1
6298
2
12,596
3
18,894
4
25,192
5
31,490
s 2 ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 12
3DPI amount for multiple injuries
(1)This section prescribes the DPI amount if the worker—(a)has sustained multiple injuries from 1 event; and(b)receives a notice of assessment for the worker’s physical injury and another notice of assessment for the worker’s psychological injury.(2)The worker is only entitled to 1 payment for the DPI amount, being the amount shown in section 2, column 2 opposite the DPI—(a)shown in section 2, column 1; and(b)that is the higher of the DPI percentages stated in the notices.(3)However, subsection (4) applies if—(a)a worker is paid the DPI amount based on a notice of assessment for an injury; and(b)the worker later receives a second notice of assessment for a different type of injury; and(c)the second notice of assessment states a DPI that is higher than the DPI stated in the first notice of assessment but is not more than 5%.(4)The worker is entitled to another payment for the DPI amount, being the amount shown in section 2, column 2 opposite the DPI—(a)shown in section 2, column 1; and(b)that is equal to the difference between the DPI percentages stated in the notices.Example of DPI amount if subsection (4) applies—
A worker with a DPI of 3% is paid a DPI amount of $18,894 for a physical injury. The worker later receives a notice of assessment stating a DPI of 5% for a psychological injury. The worker is entitled to be paid an additional DPI amount of $12,596 for the difference of 2% between the DPI percentages.s 3 ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 12
(1)This section applies if a worker has engaged a lawyer and incurs legal costs for doing 1 or more things mentioned in column 1.(2)The worker is entitled to the amount shown in column 2 opposite each thing for which legal costs were incurred.
Column 1
Circumstance
Column 2
Legal cost amount
$
Giving information to an insurer under section 112I within the period mentioned in the section
1700
The worker and the worker’s lawyer attending a meeting mentioned in section 112K
2000
The worker, under section 112N, applying to the panel to review an insurer’s decision
1000
The worker giving information to the panel under section 112N (2) (c)
1700
Example of when a legal cost amount is included in section 193A compensation—
A worker with a DPI of 5% who has engaged a lawyer to give information to an insurer, attended a meeting with the lawyer and the insurer, and had the insurer’s decision reviewed successfully, is entitled to section 193A compensation totalling $36,190, being $31,490 for the DPI amount and $4700 for the legal cost amount.s 4 ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 12
sch hdg ins 2015 SL No. 135 s 12
section 113 (1) (a)
This schedule contains the graduated scale for the payment of caring allowance.
2How to use the graduated scale
(1)The range of dependency assessed under the modified barthel index is shown in column 1.(2)In column 1—(a)minimal is a modified barthel index total score of 91–99; and(b)mild is a modified barthel index total score of 75–90; and(c)moderate is a modified barthel index total score of 50–74; and(d)severe is a modified barthel index total score of 25–49; and(e)total is a modified barthel index total score of 0–24.(3)The maximum number of hours of care required in a week is shown for the corresponding entry in column 2.
Graduated scale
Column 1
Range of dependency
(modified barthel index)
Column 2
Maximum hours of care required in a week
minimal
<10
mild
13.0
moderate
20.0
severe
23.5
total
27.0
section 135 (2)
Column A Pre-proceeding notification and negotiation | Column B Compulsory conference | Column C Investigation by expert | Column D Pre-proceedings court applications |
$2000 | $135 for the first hour or part of an hour $105 for each additional hour or part of an hour | $270 | $400 |
Schedule 7 Designated courts and provisions that are a State’s legislation about damages for work related injury
sections 145 (2) and 146 (2)
Column 1 State | Column 2 Designated court | Column 3 Provisions that are that State’s legislation about damages for work related injury |
Australian Capital Territory | Magistrates Court | the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act 1951 (ACT) |
New South Wales | District Court of New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission of New South Wales | the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW) |
Northern Territory | Work Health Court | the provisions of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (NT) |
South Australia | Workers Compensation Tribunal | the provisions of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 (SA) |
Tasmania | Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Tribunal | the provisions of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Tas) |
Victoria | County Court Magistrates Court of Victoria | the provisions of the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and the Accident Compensation (WorkCover Insurance) Act 1993 (Vic) |
Western Australia | District Court of Western Australia | the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (WA) |
section 129 (b)
The objectives of schedule 9 include promoting—(a)consistency between assessments of general damages awarded by courts for similar injuries; and(b)similar assessments of general damages awarded by courts for different types of injury that have a similar level of adverse impact on an injured worker.•Under section 306O (1) of the Act, if general damages are to be awarded by a court in relation to an injury sustained on or after 1 July 2010, the court must assess an injury scale value as follows—•the injured worker’s total general damages must be assigned a numerical value (injury scale value) on a scale running from 0 to 100—the Act, section 306O (1) (a);•the scale reflects 100 equal graduations of general damages, from a case in which an injury is not severe enough to justify any award of general damages to a case in which an injury is of the gravest conceivable kind—the Act, section 306O (1) (b);•in assessing the injury scale value, the court must—•assess the injury scale value under any rules provided under a regulation; and•have regard to the injury scale values given to similar injuries in previous proceedings—the Act, section 306O (1) (c).•Under section 306O (2) of the Act, if a court assesses an injury scale value for a particular injury to be more or less than any injury scale value prescribed for or attributed to similar particular injuries under section 306O (1) (c) of the Act, the court must state the factors on which the assessment is based that justify the assessed injury scale value.
(1)In assessing the injury scale value (ISV) for an injury mentioned in the injury column of schedule 9, a court must consider the range of injury scale values stated in schedule 9 for the injury.(2)The range of ISVs for the injury reflects the level of adverse impact of the injury on the injured worker.
(1)Subject to section 9, in assessing the ISV for multiple injuries, a court must consider the range of ISVs for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries.(2)To reflect the level of adverse impact of multiple injuries on an injured worker, the court may assess the ISV for the multiple injuries as being higher in the range of ISVs for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries than the ISV the court would assess for the dominant injury only.This section acknowledges that—•the effects of multiple injuries commonly overlap, with each injury contributing to the overall level of adverse impact on the injured worker; and•if each of the multiple injuries were assigned an individual ISV and these ISVs were added together, the total ISV would generally be too high.
4Multiple injuries and maximum dominant ISV inadequate
(1)This section applies if a court considers the level of adverse impact of multiple injuries on an injured worker is so severe that the maximum dominant ISV is inadequate to reflect the level of impact.(2)To reflect the level of impact, the court may make an assessment of the ISV for the multiple injuries that is higher than the maximum dominant ISV.(3)However, the ISV for the multiple injuries—(a)must not be more than 100; andUnder section 306O (1) (a) of the Act, an ISV is assessed on a scale running from 0 to 100.(b)should rarely be more than 25% higher than the maximum dominant ISV.(4)If the increase is more than 25% of the maximum dominant ISV, the court must give detailed written reasons for the increase.(5)In this section—maximum dominant ISV, in relation to multiple injuries, means the maximum ISV in the range for the dominant injury of the multiple injuries.
5Adverse psychological reaction
(1)This section applies if a court is assessing an ISV where an injured worker has an adverse psychological reaction to a physical injury.(2)The court must treat the adverse psychological reaction merely as a feature of the injury.
(1)This section applies if—(a)a court is assessing an ISV; and(b)a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker is relevant under schedule 9.(2)The PIRS rating for the mental disorder of the injured worker is the PIRS rating accepted by the court.(3)A PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by the court only if it is—(a)assessed by a medical expert as required under schedules 10 and 11; and(b)provided to the court in a PIRS report as required under schedule 10, section 12.
7Aggravation of pre-existing condition
(1)This section applies if an injured worker has a pre-existing condition that is aggravated by an injury for which a court is assessing an ISV.(2)In considering the impact of the aggravation of the pre-existing condition, the court may have regard only to the extent to which the pre-existing condition has been made worse by the injury.
8Court must have regard to particular provisions of sch 9
(1)In addition to providing ranges of ISVs for particular injuries, schedule 9 sets out provisions relevant to using schedule 9 to assess an ISV for particular injuries.Examples of relevant provisions—
•examples of the injury•examples of factors affecting ISV assessment•comments about appropriate level of ISV(2)In assessing an ISV, a court must have regard to those provisions to the extent they are relevant in a particular case.(3)The fact that schedule 9 provides examples of factors affecting an ISV assessment is not intended to discourage a court from having regard to other factors it considers are relevant in a particular case.
9Court may have regard to other matters
In assessing an ISV, a court may have regard to other matters to the extent they are relevant in a particular case.•the injured worker’s age, degree of insight, life expectancy, pain, suffering and loss of amenities of life•the effects of a pre-existing condition of the injured worker•difficulties in life likely to have emerged for the injured worker whether or not the injury happened•in assessing an ISV for multiple injuries, the range for, and other provisions of schedule 9 in relation to, an injury other than the dominant injury of the multiple injuries
The extent of DPI is an important consideration, but not the only consideration affecting the assessment of an ISV.
If a medical report states a DPI, it must state how the DPI is decided, including—(a)the clinical findings; and(b)how the impairment is calculated; and(c)if the DPI is based on criteria provided under AMA 5—(i)the provisions of AMA 5 setting out the criteria; and(ii)if a range of percentages is available under AMA 5 for an injury of the type being assessed—the reason for assessing the injury at the selected point in the range.1It is not a function of a doctor to identify—(a)the item in schedule 9 to which an injury belongs; or(b)the appropriate ISV for an injury.2A medical report tendered in evidence in a proceeding for a claim for personal injury damages must comply with the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999 , chapter 11, part 5.
12Greater weight to assessments based on AMA 5
(1)This section does not apply to a medical assessment of scarring or of a mental disorder.(2)In assessing an ISV, a court must give greater weight to a medical assessment of a DPI based on the criteria for the assessment of a DPI provided under AMA 5 than to a medical assessment of a DPI not based on the criteria.
13Greater weight to assessments of PIRS rating
In assessing an ISV, a court must give greater weight to a PIRS report provided as required under schedule 10 than to another medical assessment of the permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder.
An ISV assessed by a court must be a whole number.Under section 306O (1) (a) of the Act, an ISV is assessed on a scale running from 0 to 100.
section 129 (a)
Item no. | Injury | Other provisions | Range of injury scale values (ISVs) |
Part 1 Central nervous system and head injuries | |||
1 Quadriplegia | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 75 to 100 | |
• Presence and extent of pain | |||
• Extent of any residual movement | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Level of function and pre-existing function | |||
• Degree of independence | |||
• Ability to participate in daily activities, including employment | |||
• Presence and extent of secondary medical complications | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate only if the injured worker has assisted ventilation, full insight, extreme physical limitation and gross impairment of ability to communicate. | |||
2 Paraplegia | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 60 to 80 | |
• Presence and extent of pain | |||
• Extent of any residual movement | |||
• Adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Level of function and pre-existing function | |||
• Degree of independence | |||
• Ability to participate in daily activities, including employment | |||
• Loss of reproductive or sexual function | |||
• Bowel or bladder incontinence | |||
• Presence and extent of secondary medical complications | |||
3 Hemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb | Comment | ||
Incomplete paralysis causing a DPI of less than 40% must be assessed under part 6 if it is the only injury or the dominant injury of multiple injuries. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 3 | |||
The same examples apply as for item 2. | |||
4 Monoplegia | Comment | ||
See items 5, 6 and 7 and part 6. | |||
5 Extreme brain injury | Comment | ||
The injury will involve major trauma to the brain with severe permanent impairment. | |||
5.1 | 71 to 100 | ||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 5.1 | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate only if the injured worker needs full-time nursing care and has the following— | |||
• substantial insight despite gross disturbance of brain function | |||
• significant physical limitation and destruction of pre-existing lifestyle | |||
• epileptic seizures | |||
• double incontinence | |||
• little or no language function | |||
• little or no meaningful response to environment. | |||
• An injured worker with an injury for which an ISV at or near the top of the range is appropriate may have some ability to follow basic commands, recovery of eye opening, return of postural reflex movement and return to pre-existing sleep patterns. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 5.1 | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Life expectancy | |||
• Extent of bodily impairment | |||
5.2 | |||
Comment for items 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 | |||
• The injured worker will have major trauma to the brain with severe permanent impairment. | |||
• The injured worker’s insight of his or her condition may change. | |||
• Insight may be impaired in the degree, or continuity of, appreciation of the injured worker’s condition. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 | |||
The same examples apply as for an item 5.1 injury, but reducing levels of insight progressively reduce the level of suffering and the appropriate level of ISV. | |||
5.2.1 | The injured worker will have partial or complete insight (as evidenced by appropriate responses to physical or emotional stimuli) for not more than half of the person’s waking hours. | 36 to 70 | |
5.2.2 | The injured worker will have infrequent periods of partial insight and will show unreliable, rare or limited responses to physical or emotional stimuli. | 16 to 35 | |
5.3 | 10 to 15 | ||
Comment for item 5.3 | |||
The injured worker will be in a persistent vegetative state and have little or no insight. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 5.3 | |||
If some minor awareness of loss remains, an ISV at or near the top of the range may be appropriate. | |||
6 Serious brain injury | Comment | 56 to 70 | |
The injured worker will be very seriously disabled. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
Serious brain damage causing— | |||
(a) physical impairment, for example, limb paralysis; or | |||
(b) cognitive impairment with marked impairment of intellect and personality | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Life expectancy | |||
• Extent of physical limitations | |||
• Extent of cognitive limitations | |||
• Extent of sensory limitation, for example, limitation of hearing or sense of taste or smell | |||
• Level of function and pre-existing function | |||
• Degree of independence | |||
• Ability to communicate | |||
• Behavioural or psychological changes | |||
• Epilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy | |||
• Presence of and extent of secondary medical complications | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate only if the injured worker substantially depends on others and needs substantial professional and other care. | |||
7 Moderate brain injury | Comment | 21 to 55 | |
The injured worker will be seriously disabled, but the degree of the injured worker’s dependence on others, although still present, is lower than for an item 6 injury. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Life expectancy | |||
• Extent of physical limitations | |||
• Extent of cognitive limitations | |||
• Extent of sensory limitation, for example, limitation of hearing or sense of taste or smell | |||
• Level of function and pre-existing function | |||
• Degree of independence | |||
• Ability to communicate | |||
• Behavioural or psychological changes | |||
• Epilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy | |||
• Presence of, and extent of, secondary medical complications | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV of 21 to 25 will be appropriate if there is reduced concentration and memory, or reduced mood control, and either or both— | |||
• reduced capacity for employment | |||
• a noticeable interference with lifestyle and leisure. | |||
• An ISV of 26 to 40 will be appropriate if there is an increased risk of epilepsy and either or both— | |||
• a moderate cognitive impairment | |||
• loss of, or greatly reduced capacity for, employment. | |||
• An ISV of 41 to 55 will be appropriate if there is no capacity for employment, and 1 or more of the following— | |||
• moderate to severe cognitive impairment | |||
• marked personality change | |||
• dramatic effect on speech, sight or other senses | |||
• epilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy. | |||
8 Minor brain injury | Comment | 6 to 20 | |
The injured worker will make a good recovery and be able to take part in normal social life and to return to work. There may be minor problems persisting that prevent a restoration of normal function. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Severity of any physical injury causing the brain damage, having regard to— | |||
(a) any medical assessment made immediately after the injury was caused, for example, CT or MRI scans, an ambulance officer’s assessment or hospital emergency unit assessment; and | |||
(b) any post-traumatic amnesia. | |||
• Extent of any ongoing, and possibly permanent, disability | |||
• Extent of any personality changer | |||
• Depression | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Life expectancy | |||
• Extent of physical limitations | |||
• Extent of cognitive limitations | |||
• Extent of sensory limitation, for example, limitation of hearing or sense of taste or smell | |||
• Level of function and pre-existing function | |||
• Degree of independence | |||
• Ability to communicate | |||
• Behavioural or psychological changes | |||
• Epilepsy or a high risk of epilepsy | |||
• Presence of, and extent of, secondary medical complications | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured worker has— | |||
• an increased risk of epilepsy; and | |||
• ongoing reduced concentration and memory, or reduced mood control, that does not significantly interfere with the person’s ability to take part in normal social life or return to work. | |||
9 Minor head injury, other than an injury mentioned in pt 3 | Comment | 0 to 5 | |
Brain damage, if any, is minimal. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Uncomplicated skull fracture | |||
• Concussion with transitory loss of consciousness and no residual effect | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Severity of any physical injury causing brain damage | |||
• Length of time to recover from any symptoms | |||
• Extent of ongoing symptoms | |||
• Presence of, or absence of, headaches | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an injury from which the injured worker fully recovers within a few weeks. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an uncomplicated skull fracture and there are associated concussive symptoms of dizziness, headache and memory loss persisting for less than 6 months. | |||
Part 2 Mental disorders | |||
General comment for items 10 to 13 | |||
This part includes references to ratings (PIRS ratings) on the psychiatric impairment rating scale set out in schedule 11. A PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by a court only if it is assessed by a medical expert as required under schedules 10 and 11 and provided to the court in a PIRS report. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 10 to 13 | |||
• PIRS rating | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Age and life expectancy | |||
• Pain and suffering | |||
• Loss of amenities of life | |||
• Likelihood difficulties would have emerged in any event | |||
• If there is extreme psychological trauma, for example, intense helplessness or horror, the immediate adverse psychological reaction | |||
10 Extreme mental disorder | Example of the injury | 41 to 65 | |
A mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 31% and 100% | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
Despite a very high PIRS rating, an ISV at or near the bottom of the range may be appropriate if the injured worker has reduced insight. | |||
11 Serious mental disorder | Example of the injury | 11 to 40 | |
A mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 11% and 30% | |||
12 Moderate mental disorder | Comment | 2 to 10 | |
There is generally only moderate impairment. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 4% and 10% | |||
13 Minor mental disorder | Comment | 0 to 1 | |
For many persons who have suffered the injury there will be little or no impact on their lives. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A mental disorder with a PIRS rating between 0% and 3% | |||
Part 3 Facial injuries | |||
Division 1 Skeletal injuries of the facial area | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 14 to 22 | |||
• Extent of skeletal or functional damage | |||
• Degree of cosmetic damage or disfigurement | |||
• Adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Availability of cosmetic repair | |||
14 Extreme facial injury | Comment | 26 to 45 | |
The injury will involve severe traumatic injury to the face requiring substantial reconstructive surgery. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A Le Fort I fracture or Le Fort II fracture if the degree of incapacity and disfigurement after reconstructive surgery will be very severe | |||
• A Le Fort III fracture causing incapacity in daily activities | |||
Additional example of factor affecting ISV assessment | |||
The extent of any neurological impairment or effect on the airway | |||
Note— Le Fort I fracture, Le Fort II fracture and Le Fort III fracture are defined in schedule 13. | |||
15 Serious facial injury | Comment | 14 to 25 | |
The injury will involve serious traumatic injury to the face requiring reconstructive surgery that is not substantial. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A Le Fort I fracture or Le Fort II fracture if the degree of incapacity and disfigurement after reconstructive surgery will not be very severe | |||
• A Le Fort III fracture if no serious deformity will remain after reconstructive surgery | |||
• A serious or multiple fracture of the nasal complex either or both— | |||
(a) requiring more than 1 operation; and | |||
(b) causing 1 or more of the following— | |||
• permanent damage to the airway | |||
• permanent damage to nerves or tear ducts | |||
• facial deformity. | |||
• A serious cheekbone fracture that will require surgery and cause serious disfigurement and permanent effects despite reconstructive surgery, for example, hyperaesthesia or paraesthesia | |||
• A very serious multiple jaw fracture that will— | |||
(a) require prolonged treatment; and | |||
(b) despite reconstructive surgery, cause permanent effects, for example, severe pain, restriction in eating, paraesthesia or a risk of arthritis in the joints. | |||
• A severed trunk of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve), causing total paralysis of facial muscles on 1 side of the face | |||
Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Any neurological impairment or effect on the airway | |||
• Permanent cosmetic deformity | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes permanent cosmetic deformity, asymmetry of 1 side of the face and limited adverse psychological reaction. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes serious bilateral deformity and significant adverse psychological reaction. | |||
16 Moderate facial injury | Examples of the injury | 6 to 13 | |
• A simple cheekbone fracture, requiring minor reconstructive surgery, from which the injured worker will fully recover with little or no cosmetic damage | |||
• A fracture of the jaw causing— | |||
(a) permanent effects, for example, difficulty in opening the mouth or in eating; or | |||
(b) hyperaesthesia or paraesthesia in the area of the fracture. | |||
• A displaced fracture of the nasal complex from which the injured worker will almost fully recover after surgery | |||
• Severed branches of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve) with paralysis of some of the facial muscles | |||
• A severed sensory nerve of the face with minor permanent paraesthesia | |||
17 Minor facial injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• A simple cheekbone fracture, for which surgery is not required and from which the injured worker will recover fully | |||
• A simple jaw fracture, requiring immobilisation and from which the injured worker will fully recover | |||
• A stable fracture of the joint process of the jaw | |||
• A displaced fracture of the nasal complex requiring only manipulation | |||
• A simple undisplaced fracture of the nasal complex, from which the injured worker will fully recover | |||
• A severed sensory nerve of the face, with good repair causing minimal or no paraesthesia | |||
18 Injury to teeth or gums | Comment | ||
There will generally have been a course of treatment as a result of the injury. | |||
Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Extent and degree of discomfort during treatment | |||
• Difficulty with eating | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
If protracted dentistry causes the injury, the ISV may be higher than the ISV for the same injury caused by something else. | |||
18.1 | Loss of or serious damage to more than 3 teeth, serious gum injury or serious gum infection | 6 to 10 | |
18.2 | Loss of or serious damage to 2 or 3 teeth, moderate gum injury or moderate gum infection | 3 to 5 | |
18.3 | Loss of or serious damage to 1 tooth, minor gum injury or minor gum infection | 0 to 2 | |
Division 2 Scarring to the face | |||
General comment for items 19 to 22 | |||
This division will usually apply to an injury involving skeletal damage only if the skeletal damage is minor. | |||
19 Extreme facial scarring | Examples of the injury | 21 to 45 | |
• Widespread area scarring, for example, over the side of the face or another whole area | |||
• Severe contour deformity | |||
• Significant deformity of the mouth or eyelids with muscle paralysis or tic | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV in the upper half of the range may be appropriate if the injured worker is relatively young, the cosmetic damage is very disfiguring and the adverse psychological reaction is severe. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury is caused by burns that resulted in loss of the entire nose, eyelids or ears. | |||
20 Serious facial scarring | Examples of the injury | 11 to 20 | |
• Substantial disfigurement and significant adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Severe linear scarring | |||
• Discoloured hypertrophic (keloid) scarring | |||
• Atrophic scarring | |||
• Serious contour defects | |||
21 Moderate facial scarring | Comment | 6 to 10 | |
Any adverse psychological reaction is small, or having been considerable at the outset, has greatly diminished. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Scarring, the worst effects of which will be reduced by plastic surgery that will leave minor cosmetic damage | |||
• Scars crossing lines of election with discoloured, indurated, hypertrophic or atrophic scarring, of moderate severity | |||
22 Minor facial scarring | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• A single scar able to be camouflaged | |||
• More than 1 very small scar if the overall effect of the scars is to mar, but not to markedly affect, appearance and adverse psychological reaction is minor | |||
• Almost invisible linear scarring, in lines of election, with normal texture and elevation | |||
Part 4 Injuries affecting the senses | |||
Division 1 General comment | |||
General comment for items 23 to 33 | |||
Injuries mentioned in this part are commonly symptoms of brain or nervous system injury. | |||
Division 2 Injuries affecting the eyes | |||
23 Total sight and hearing impairment | Comment | 90 to 100 | |
The injury ranks with the most devastating injuries. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Degree of insight | |||
• Age and life expectancy | |||
24 Total sight impairment | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 50 to 80 | |
• Degree of insight | |||
• Age and life expectancy | |||
25 Complete sight impairment in 1 eye with reduced vision in the other eye | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 25 to 50 | |
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is serious risk of further significant deterioration in the remaining eye. | |||
26 Complete sight impairment in 1 eye or total loss of 1 eye | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 26 to 30 | |
• The extent to which the injured worker’s activities are adversely affected by the impairment or loss | |||
• Associated scarring or cosmetic damage | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a minor risk of sympathetic ophthalmia. | |||
27 Serious eye injury | Examples of the injury | 11 to 25 | |
• A serious but incomplete loss of vision in 1 eye without significant risk of loss or reduction of vision in the other eye | |||
• An injury causing double vision that is not minor and intermittent | |||
28 Moderate eye injury | Example of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
Minor but permanent impairment of vision in one eye, including if there is double vision that is minor and intermittent | |||
29 Minor eye injury | Example of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
A minor injury, for example, from being struck in the eye, exposed to smoke or other fumes or being splashed by liquids— | |||
(a) causing initial pain and temporary interference with vision; and | |||
(b) from which the injured worker will fully recover within a relatively short time | |||
Division 3 Injuries affecting the ears | |||
Comment for items 30 to 33 | |||
The injuries commonly, but not always, involve hearing loss. If the injury is to a single ear, the binaural loss must be assessed. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 30 to 33 injuries | |||
• Whether the injury has an immediate effect, allowing the injured worker no opportunity to adapt, or whether it occurred over a period of time, for example, from exposure to noise | |||
• Whether the injury was suffered at an early age so that it has affected or will affect speech | |||
• Whether the injury will affect balance | |||
• The extent to which former activities will be affected | |||
• Presence of tinnitus | |||
30 Extreme ear injury | Definition of injury | 36 to 55 | |
The injury involves a binaural hearing loss of at least 80%. | |||
Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Associated problems, for example, severe tinnitus, moderate vertigo, a moderate vestibular disturbance or headaches | |||
• Availability of hearing aids or other devices that may reduce the hearing loss | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury happened at an early age so as to prevent or to seriously affect the development of normal speech. | |||
31 Serious ear injury | Definition of injury | 26 to 35 | |
The injury involves— | |||
(a) a binaural hearing loss of at least 50% but less than 80%; or | |||
(b) severe permanent vestibular disturbance. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there is no speech impairment or tinnitus. | |||
An ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if there is speech impairment and tinnitus. | |||
32 Moderate ear injury | Definition of injury | 11 to 25 | |
The injury involves— | |||
(a) a binaural hearing loss of at least 20% but less than 50%; or | |||
(b) significant permanent vestibular disturbance. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there are problems associated with the injury, for example, severe tinnitus, moderate vertigo, a moderate vestibular disturbance or headaches. | |||
33 Minor ear injury | Definition of injury | ||
The injury involves a binaural hearing loss of less than 20%. | |||
Comment | |||
• This item covers the bulk of hearing impairment cases. | |||
• The injury is not to be judged simply by the degree of hearing loss. | |||
• There will often be a degree of tinnitus present. | |||
• There may also be minor vertigo or a minor vestibular disturbance causing loss of balance. | |||
• A vestibular disturbance may increase the level of ISV. | |||
33.1 | Moderate tinnitus or hearing loss, or both | 6 to 10 | |
33.2 | Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss | 4 to 5 | |
33.3 | Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight hearing loss or an occasional vestibular disturbance, or both | 0 to 3 | |
Division 4 Impairment of taste or smell | |||
34 Total loss of taste or smell, or both | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 6 to 9 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there will be a total loss of either taste or smell | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there will be a total loss of both taste and smell. | |||
35 Partial loss of taste or smell, or both | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 0 to 5 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there will be a partial loss of either taste or smell. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there will be a partial loss of both taste and smell. | |||
Part 5 Injuries to internal organs | |||
Division 1 Chest injuries | |||
Example of factor affecting ISV assessment for items 36 to 39 | |||
The level of any reduction in the capacity for employment and enjoyment of life | |||
36 Extreme chest injury | Comment | 46 to 65 | |
The injury will involve severe traumatic injury to the chest, or a large majority of the organs in the chest cavity, causing a high level of disability and ongoing medical problems. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there will be total removal of 1 lung or serious heart damage, or both, with serious and prolonged pain and suffering and significant permanent scarring. | |||
37 Serious chest injury | Comment | 21 to 45 | |
The injury will involve serious traumatic injury to the chest or organs in the chest cavity, causing serious disability and ongoing medical problems. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A trauma to 1 or more of the following, causing permanent damage, physical disability and impairment of function— | |||
• the chest | |||
• the heart | |||
• 1 or both of the lungs | |||
• the diaphragm. | |||
• An injury that causes the need for oxygen therapy for about 16 to 18 hours a day | |||
Example of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
The need for a permanent tracheostomy | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if, after recovery, there are both of the following— | |||
(a) serious impairment to cardio-pulmonary function; | |||
(b) a DPI for the injury of, or of nearly, 40%. | |||
38 Moderate chest injury | Example of the injury | 11 to 20 | |
The injury will involve serious traumatic injury to the chest or organs in the chest cavity, causing moderate disability and ongoing medical problems | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Duration and intensity of pain and suffering | |||
• The DPI of lung or cardiac function, as evidenced by objective test results | |||
• The need for a temporary tracheostomy for short-term airway management | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there will be the loss of a breast without significant adverse psychological reaction. | |||
An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there was a pneumothorax, or haemothorax, requiring intercostal catheter insertion. | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there are multiple rib fractures causing— | |||
(a) a flail segment (flail chest) requiring mechanical ventilation in the acute stage; and | |||
(b) moderate permanent impairment of cardio-pulmonary function. | |||
39 Minor chest injury | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 39.1 and 39.2 | ||
• complexity of any fractures | |||
• extent of injury to underlying organs | |||
• extent of any disability | |||
• duration and intensity of pain and suffering | |||
39.1 | Complicated or significant fracture, or internal organ injury, that substantially resolves | 5 to 10 | |
Comment | |||
The injury will involve significant or complicated fractures, or internal injuries, that cause some tissue damage but no significant long-term effect on organ function. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Multiple fractures of the ribs or sternum, or both, that may cause cardio-pulmonary contusion | |||
• Internal injuries that cause some tissue damage but no significant long-term effect on organ function | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a fractured sternum that substantially resolves, and there is some ongoing pain and activity restriction. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes significant persisting pain and significant activity restriction. | |||
39.2 | Soft tissue injury, minor fracture or minor internal organ injury | 0 to 4 | |
Comment | |||
• The injury will involve a soft tissue injury, minor fracture, or minor and non-permanent injury to internal organs. | |||
• There may be persistent pain from the chest, for example, from the chest wall or sternocostal or costochondral joints. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A single penetrating wound, causing some tissue damage but no long-term effect on lung function | |||
• An injury to the lungs caused by the inhalation of toxic fumes or smoke that will not permanently interfere with lung function | |||
• A soft tissue injury to the chest wall, for example, a laceration or serious seatbelt bruising | |||
• Fractured ribs or a minor fracture of the sternum causing serious pain and disability for weeks, without internal organ damage or permanent disability | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a soft tissue injury from which the injured worker will fully recover. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury causing a small pneumothorax that does not require intercostal catheter insertion, and from which the injured worker will fully recover. | |||
Division 2 Lung injuries other than asthma | |||
General comment for items 40 to 43 | |||
The level of an ISV for lung disease often reflects the fact that the disease is worsening and there is a risk of the development of secondary medical consequences. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 40 to 43 | |||
• A history of smoking tobacco will reduce the level of ISV | |||
• Adverse psychological reaction may increase the level of ISV | |||
40 Extreme lung injury | Examples of the injury | 46 to 65 | |
• Diagnosed lung cancer | |||
• Lung disease involving serious disability causing severe pain and dramatic impairment of function and quality of life | |||
• A recurrent pulmonary embolism resulting in failure of the right side of the heart requiring a lung transplant, heart transplant or both | |||
Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Age | |||
• Likelihood of progressive worsening | |||
• Duration and intensity of pain and suffering | |||
41 Serious lung injury | |||
41.1 | Serious lung injury if progressive worsening of lung function | 25 to 45 | |
Example of item 41.1 | |||
Lung disease, for example, emphysema, causing— | |||
• significantly reduced and worsening lung function | |||
• prolonged and frequent coughing | |||
• disturbance of sleep | |||
• restriction of physical activity, employment and enjoyment of life. | |||
Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 41.1 | |||
• The possibility of lung cancer developing may increase the level of ISV | |||
• The need for continuous oxygen therapy | |||
41.2 | Serious lung injury if no progressive worsening of lung function | 11 to 24 | |
Examples of item 41.2 | |||
• Lung disease causing breathing difficulties, short of disabling breathlessness, requiring frequent use of an inhaler | |||
• Lung disease causing a significant effect on employment and social life, including inability to tolerate a smoky environment, with an uncertain prognosis | |||
• A recurrent pulmonary embolism causing pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale | |||
42 Moderate lung injury | Examples of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
• Bronchitis that does not cause serious symptoms, with little or no serious or permanent effect on employment or social life | |||
• A pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulant therapy for at least 1 year or pulmonary endarterectomy | |||
43 Minor lung injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• Lung disease causing slight breathlessness, with— | |||
(a) no effect on employment; and | |||
(b) the likelihood of substantial and permanent recovery within a few years after the injury is caused | |||
• A pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulant therapy for less than 1 year | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is lung disease causing temporary aggravation of bronchitis, or other chest problems, that will resolve within a few months. | |||
Division 3 Asthma | |||
44 Extreme asthma | Comment | 31 to 55 | |
The most serious cases may confine a person to the home and destroy capacity for employment. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
Severe and permanent disabling asthma causing— | |||
• prolonged and frequent coughing | |||
• disturbance of sleep | |||
• severe restriction of physical activity and enjoyment of life | |||
• gross reduction of capacity for employment | |||
45 Severe asthma | Example of the injury | 11 to 30 | |
Chronic asthma, with a poor prognosis, causing— | |||
• breathing difficulties | |||
• the need to frequently use an inhaler | |||
• significantly reduced capacity for employment. | |||
46 Moderate asthma | Example of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
Asthma, with symptoms that include bronchitis and wheezing, affecting employment or social life | |||
47 Minor asthma | Example of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
Asthma with minor symptoms that has no effect on employment or social life | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is asthma treated by a general practitioner that will resolve within 1 year after the injury is caused. | |||
Division 4 Injuries to male reproductive system | |||
General comment for items 48 to 51 | |||
• This division applies to injuries caused by physical trauma rather than as a secondary result of a mental disorder | |||
• For a mental disorder that causes loss of reproductive system function, see part 2 (Mental disorders). | |||
• Sterility is usually either— | |||
(a) caused by surgery, chemicals or disease; or | |||
(b) caused by a traumatic injury that is often aggravated by scarring. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 48 to 51 | |||
• Adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Effect on social and domestic life | |||
48 Impotence and sterility | Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 5 to 37 | |
• Age | |||
• Whether the injured worker has children | |||
• Whether the injured worker intended to have children or more children | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the sterility has little impact. | |||
• An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if an injured worker with children may have intended to have more children and has uncomplicated sterility, without impotence or any aggravating features. | |||
• An ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if a young injured worker without children has uncomplicated sterility, without impotence or any aggravating features. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if a middle-aged injured worker with children has sterility and permanent impotence. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a young injured worker has total impotence and loss of sexual function and sterility. | |||
49 Loss of part or all of penis | Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 5 to 25 | |
• Extent of the penis remaining | |||
• Availability of a prosthesis | |||
• Extent to which sexual activity will be possible | |||
50 Loss of both testicles | Comment | ||
See item 48 because sterility results. | |||
Additional example of factor affecting ISV assessment | |||
Level of any pain or residual scarring | |||
51 Loss of 1 testicle | Additional example of factors affecting ISV assessment | 2 to 10 | |
Age, cosmetic damage or scarring | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury does not reduce reproductive capacity. | |||
Division 5 Injuries to female reproductive system | |||
General comment for items 52 to 53.5 | |||
• This division applies to injuries caused by physical trauma rather than as a secondary result of a mental disorder. | |||
• For a mental disorder that causes loss of reproductive system function, see part 2. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 52 to 53.5 | |||
• Extent of any physical trauma | |||
• Whether the injured worker has children | |||
• Whether the injured worker intended to have children or more children | |||
• Age | |||
• Scarring | |||
• Depression or adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Effect on social and domestic life | |||
52 Infertility | |||
52.1 | Infertility causing severe effects | 16 to 35 | |
Example of item 52.1 | |||
Infertility with severe depression, anxiety and pain | |||
52.2 | Infertility causing moderate effects | 9 to 15 | |
Example of item 52.2 | |||
Infertility without any medical complication if the injured worker has a child or children | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 52.2 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is significant adverse psychological reaction. | |||
52.3 | Infertility causing minor effects | 0 to 8 | |
Example of item 52.3 | |||
Infertility if— | |||
(a) the injured worker was unlikely to have had children, for example, because of age; and | |||
(b) there is little or no adverse psychological reaction | |||
53 Any other injury to the female reproductive system | |||
53.1 | 5 to 15 | ||
53.2 | 5 to 15 | ||
Comment for item 53.2 | |||
The injury may be correctable by surgery. | |||
Additional examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for item 53.2 | |||
The level of sexual function or the extent of any corrective surgery | |||
53.3 | An injury causing an inability to give birth by normal vaginal delivery, for example, because of pelvic ring disruption or deformity | 4 to 15 | |
Comment for item 53.3 | |||
The injury may be correctable by surgery. | |||
53.4 | 3 to 25 | ||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 53.4 | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a laceration or tear with good repair. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes development of a prolapse or fistula. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes the early onset of menopause or irregular hormonal activity. | |||
53.5 | Reduced fertility, caused by, for example, trauma to ovaries or fallopian tubes | 3 to 8 | |
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 53.5 | |||
An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if the injury is caused by a delay in diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. | |||
Division 6 Injuries to digestive system | |||
Subdivision 1 Injuries caused by trauma | |||
54 Extreme injury to the digestive system caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 19 to 40 | |
Severe permanent damage to the digestive system, with ongoing debilitating pain and discomfort, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting that— | |||
(a) are not controllable by drugs; and | |||
(b) cause weight loss of at least 20%. | |||
Note— Digestive system is defined in schedule 13. | |||
• An injury to the throat requiring a permanent gastrostomy | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the throat requiring a temporary gastrostomy for more than 1 year and permanent dietary changes, for example, a requirement for a soft food diet. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the throat requiring a permanent gastrostomy, with significant ongoing symptoms. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• the extent of any voice or speech impairment | |||
• need for ongoing endoscopic procedures | |||
55 Serious injury to the digestive system caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 11 to 18 | |
• A serious injury causing long-term complications aggravated by physical strain | |||
• An injury requiring a feeding tube for between 3 and 12 months | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• The extent of any ongoing voice or speech impairment | |||
• Whether a feeding tube was required, and if so, for how long it was required | |||
56 Moderate injury to the digestive system caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
• A simple penetrating stab wound, causing some permanent tissue damage, but with no significant long-term effect on digestive function | |||
• An injury requiring a feeding tube for less than 3 months | |||
Example of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Whether a feeding tube was required, and if so, for how long it was required | |||
• Whether dietary changes are required to reduce the risk of aspiration because of impaired swallowing | |||
57 Minor injury to the digestive system caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• A soft tissue injury to the abdomen wall, for example, a laceration or serious seatbelt bruising to the abdomen or flank, or both | |||
• A minor injury to the throat or tongue causing temporary difficulties with swallowing or speech | |||
• A laceration of the tongue requiring suturing | |||
Subdivision 2 Injuries not caused by trauma | |||
General comment for items 58 to 61 | |||
There is a marked difference between those comparatively rare cases having a long-term or even permanent effect on quality of life and cases in which the only ongoing symptom is an allergy, for example, to specific foods, that may cause short-term illness. | |||
58 Extreme injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 13 to 35 | |
Severe toxicosis— | |||
(a) causing serious acute pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, requiring hospitalisation for days or weeks; and | |||
(b) also causing 1 or more of the following— | |||
• ongoing incontinence | |||
• haemorrhoids | |||
• irritable bowel syndrome; and | |||
(c) having a significant impact on the capacity for employment and enjoyment of life | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes a chronic infection, that requires prolonged hospitalisation, that will not resolve after antibiotic treatment for 1 year. | |||
59 Serious injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 6 to 12 | |
• Serious but short-term food poisoning causing diarrhoea and vomiting— | |||
(a) that requires admission to an intensive care unit; and | |||
(b) with some remaining discomfort and disturbance of bowel function and impact on sex life and enjoyment of food, over a few years | |||
• Constant abdominal pain, causing significant discomfort, for up to 18 months caused by a delay in diagnosis of an injury to the digestive system | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an adverse response to the administration of a drug that— | |||
(a) requires admission to an intensive care unit; and | |||
(b) does not cause any permanent impairment; and | |||
(c) causes the need for ongoing drug therapy for life. | |||
• An ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if a chronic infection— | |||
(a) requires prolonged hospitalisation and additional treatment; and | |||
(b) will be resolved by antibiotic treatment within 1 year. | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an adverse response to the administration of a drug that— | |||
(a) requires admission to an intensive care unit; and | |||
(b) does not cause any permanent impairment; and | |||
(c) does not cause the need for ongoing drug therapy for life. | |||
60 Moderate injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 3 to 5 | |
• Food poisoning— | |||
(a) causing significant discomfort, stomach cramps, change of bowel function and fatigue; and | |||
(b) requiring hospitalisation for days; and | |||
(c) with symptoms lasting a few weeks; and | |||
(d) from which the injured worker will fully recover within 1 or 2 years | |||
• An infection that is resolved by antibiotic treatment, with or without additional treatment in hospital, within 3 months after the injury is caused | |||
• An adverse response to the administration of a drug, causing any of the following continuing over a period of more than 7 days, and requiring hospitalisation— | |||
(a) vomiting; | |||
(b) shortness of breath; | |||
(c) hypertension; | |||
(d) skin irritation | |||
61 Minor injury to the digestive system not caused by trauma | Examples of the injury | 0 to 2 | |
• Disabling pain, cramps and diarrhoea, ongoing for days or weeks | |||
• A localised infection, requiring antibiotic treatment, that heals within 6 weeks after the start of treatment | |||
• An adverse response to the administration of a drug, causing any of the following continuing over a period of not more than 7 days, and not requiring hospitalisation— | |||
(a) vomiting; | |||
(b) shortness of breath; | |||
(c) hypertension; | |||
(d) skin irritation | |||
• Intermittent abdominal pain for up to 6 months caused by a delay in diagnosis of an injury to the digestive system | |||
Division 7 Kidney or ureter injuries | |||
General comment for items 62 to 65 | |||
An injury to a ureter or the ureters alone, without loss of, or serious damage to, a kidney will generally be assessed under item 64 or 65. | |||
Examples of factor affecting ISV assessment for items 62 to 65 | |||
• Age | |||
• Risk of ongoing kidney or ureter problems, complications or symptoms | |||
• Need for future medical procedures | |||
62 Extreme injury to kidneys or ureters | |||
62.1 | Loss of both kidneys causing loss of renal function and requiring permanent dialysis or transplant | 56 to 75 | |
62.2 | Serious damage to both kidneys, requiring temporary or intermittent dialysis | 31 to 55 | |
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• The effect of dialysis and loss of kidney function on activities of daily living | |||
• The length of time for which dialysis was required or the frequency of intermittent dialysis | |||
• Ongoing requirement for medication, for example, to control blood pressure | |||
• Whether the injury caused the need for dietary changes, and if so, for how long | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if dialysis was required for an initial 3-month period, with intermittent dialysis required after that. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury required dialysis for about 1 year and ongoing dietary changes and medication. | |||
63 Serious injury to kidneys or ureters | Comment | 19 to 30 | |
The injury may require temporary dialysis for less than 3 months. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
Loss of 1 kidney if there is severe damage to, and a risk of loss of function of, the other kidney | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
The higher the risk of loss of function of the other kidney, the higher the ISV. | |||
64 Moderate injury to kidneys or ureters | Examples of the injury | 11 to 18 | |
• Loss of 1 kidney, with no damage to the other kidney | |||
• An injury to a ureter or the ureters that requires surgery or placement of stents | |||
65 Minor injury to kidneys or ureters | Examples of the injury | 0 to 10 | |
A laceration or contusion to 1 or both of the kidneys | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to a kidney causing a contusion. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a partial removal of a kidney is required. | |||
Division 8 Liver, gall bladder or biliary tract injuries | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 66 to 69 | |||
• Whether there are recurrent episodes of infection or obstruction | |||
• Whether there is a risk of developing biliary cirrhosis | |||
66 Extreme injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract | Examples of the injury | 51 to 70 | |
Loss, or injury causing effective loss, of liver function, requiring constant substitutional therapy | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there are recurrent episodes of liver failure that require hospital admission and medical management but do not require liver transplantation. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury requires liver transplantation. | |||
67 Serious injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract | Examples of the injury | 36 to 50 | |
Serious damage causing loss of over 30% of the tissue of the liver, but with some functional capacity of the liver remaining | |||
68 Moderate injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract | Examples of the injury | 16 to 35 | |
A laceration or contusion to the liver, with a moderate effect on liver function | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury causes impaired liver function with symptoms of intermittent nausea and vomiting. | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will also be appropriate if there is a gall bladder injury with recurrent infection or symptomatic stone disease, the symptoms of which may include, for example, pain or jaundice. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if the injury involves removal of the gall bladder causing a bile duct injury. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) surgery is required to remove not more than 30% of the liver; or | |||
(b) bile ducts require repair, for example, placement of stents. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is an injury to the gall bladder, that despite biliary surgery, causes ongoing symptoms, infection or the need for further endoscopic surgery. | |||
69 Minor injury to liver, gall bladder or biliary tract | Comment | 3 to 15 | |
An injury within this item should not require surgery to the liver. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A laceration or contusion to the liver, with a minor effect on liver function | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there is an uncomplicated removal of the gall bladder with no ongoing symptoms. | |||
Division 9 Bowel injuries | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 70 to 73 | |||
• Age | |||
• Risk of ongoing bowel problems, complications or symptoms | |||
• Need for future surgery | |||
• The degree to which dietary changes are required to manage chronic pain or diarrhoea caused by the injury | |||
70 Extreme bowel injury | Example of the injury | 41 to 60 | |
An injury causing a total loss of natural bowel function and dependence on colostomy | |||
71 Serious bowel injury | Example of the injury | 19 to 40 | |
A serious abdominal injury causing either or both of the following— | |||
(a) impairment of bowel function (which often requires permanent or long-term colostomy, leaving disfiguring scars); | |||
(b) restrictions on employment and diet | |||
72 Moderate bowel injury | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 7 to 18 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the injury requires an ileostomy or colostomy for less than 3 months; and | |||
(b) bowel function returns to normal; and | |||
(c) there are no ongoing symptoms. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the injury requires temporary surgical diversion of the bowel, for example, an ileostomy or colostomy; and | |||
(b) there is ongoing intermittent abnormal bowel function requiring medication. | |||
73 Minor bowel injury | Example of the injury | 3 to 6 | |
An injury causing tears to the bowel, with minimal ongoing bowel problems | |||
Division 10 Bladder, prostate or urethra injuries | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 74 to 77 | |||
• Age | |||
• Risk of ongoing bladder, prostate or urethra problems, complications or symptoms | |||
• Need for future surgery | |||
74 Extreme bladder, prostate or urethra injury | Example of the injury | 40 to 60 | |
An injury causing a complete loss of bladder function and control, with permanent dependence on urostomy | |||
75 Serious bladder, prostate or urethra injury | Example of the injury | 19 to 39 | |
An injury causing serious impairment of bladder control, with some incontinence | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if there is serious ongoing pain. | |||
76 Moderate bladder, prostate or urethra injury | Example of the injury | 7 to 18 | |
An injury causing continued impairment of bladder control, with minimal incontinence and minimal pain | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a laceration of the urethra, that required surgical repair and caused intermittent infection or bladder dysfunction. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is— | |||
(a) increased urinary frequency of more than once every 2 hours throughout the day and more than 3 times at night that is unresponsive to treatment; or | |||
(b) an ongoing requirement for minor surgery, for example, cystoscopy or urethral dilation. | |||
77 Minor bladder, prostate or urethra injury | Example of the injury | 3 to 6 | |
A bladder injury, from which the injured worker will fully recover, with some relatively long-term interference with natural bladder function | |||
Division 11 Pancreas and spleen injuries | |||
78 Injury to the pancreas | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 10 to 35 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a contusion to the pancreas that heals. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there are chronic symptoms, for example, pain or diarrhoea. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there are chronic symptoms with significant weight loss of between 10% and 20% of body weight, and pancreatic enzyme replacement is required; or | |||
(b) an injury to the pancreas causes diabetes. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• The extent of any ongoing risk of internal infection and disorders, for example, diabetes | |||
• The need for, and outcome of, further surgery, for example, surgery to manage pain caused by stone disease, infection or an expanding pseudocyst | |||
79 Loss of spleen (complicated) | Example of the injury | 8 to 20 | |
Loss of spleen if there will be a risk, that is not minor, of ongoing internal infection and disorders caused by the loss | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury leads to a splenectomy, with intermittent symptoms of pain, nausea and vomiting that settle. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the injury leads to a splenectomy, with serious infection after the splenectomy; and | |||
(b) the infection requires surgical or radiological intervention. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury leads to a splenectomy, with portal vein thrombosis after the splenectomy. | |||
80 Injury to the spleen or uncomplicated loss of spleen | Example of the injury | 0 to 7 | |
Laceration or contusion to the spleen that— | |||
(a) has been radiologically confirmed; and | |||
(b) has no ongoing bleeding; and | |||
(c) is managed conservatively; and | |||
(d) resolves fully. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there has been removal of the spleen (splenectomy), with little or no risk of ongoing infections and disorders caused by the loss of the spleen. | |||
Division 12 Hernia injuries | |||
81 Severe hernia | Example of the injury | 11 to 20 | |
A hernia if after repair there is either or both— | |||
(a) ongoing pain; or | |||
(b) a restriction on physical activities, sport or employment | |||
82 Moderate hernia | Example of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
A hernia that after repair has some real risk of recurring in the short-term | |||
83 Minor hernia | Example of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
An uncomplicated inguinal hernia, whether or not repaired | |||
Part 6 Orthopaedic injuries | |||
Division 1 Cervical spine injuries | |||
General comment for items 84 to 88 | |||
• This division does not apply to the following injuries (that are dealt with in items 1 to 3)— | |||
• quadriplegia | |||
• paraplegia | |||
• hemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb. | |||
• Cervical spine injuries, other than those dealt with in items 1 to 3, range from cases of very severe disability to cases of a minor strain, with no time off work and symptoms only suffered for 2 or 3 weeks. | |||
• Symptoms associated with nerve root compression or damage can not be taken into account in assessing an ISV under item 84, 85 or 86 unless objective signs are present of nerve root compression or damage, for example— | |||
• CT or MRI scans or other radiological evidence | |||
• muscle wasting | |||
• clinical findings of deep tendon reflex loss, motor weakness and loss of sensation. | |||
84 Extreme cervical spine injury | Comment | 41 to 75 | |
These are extremely severe injuries that cause gross limitation of movement and serious interference with performance of daily activities. | |||
The injury will involve significant upper or lower extremity impairment and may require the use of an adaptive device or prosthesis. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A total neurological loss at a single level | |||
• Severe multilevel neurological dysfunction | |||
• Structural compromise of the spinal canal with extreme upper or lower extremity motor and sensory impairments | |||
• Fractures involving more than 50% compression of a vertebral body with neural compromise | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI of about 29%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a cervical spine injury causing monoplegia of the dominant upper limb and a DPI of at least 60%. | |||
85 Serious cervical spine injury | Comment | 16 to 40 | |
• The injury will cause serious upper extremity impairment or serious permanent impairment of the cervical spine. | |||
• The injury may involve— | |||
(a) a change of motion segment integrity; or | |||
(b) bilateral or multilevel nerve root compression or damage. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Loss of motion in a motion segment because of a surgical or post-traumatic fusion | |||
• A fracture involving more than 25% compression of 1 vertebral body | |||
• An injury showing objective signs of nerve root damage after surgery | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the injured worker has had surgery and symptoms persist; or | |||
(b) there is a fracture involving 25% compression of 1 vertebral body. | |||
• An ISV in the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a fracture involving about 50% compression of a vertebral body, with ongoing pain. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the injured worker has had a fusion of vertebral bodies that has failed, leaving objective signs of significant residual nerve root damage and ongoing pain, affecting 1 side of the body; and | |||
(b) there is a DPI of about 28%. | |||
86 Moderate cervical spine injury— fracture, disc prolapse or nerve root compression or damage | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 5 to 15 | |
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there is a disc prolapse for which there is radiological evidence at an anatomically correct level; and | |||
(b) there are symptoms of pain and 3 or more of the following objective signs that are anatomically localised to an appropriate spinal nerve root distribution— | |||
(i) sensory loss; | |||
(ii) loss of muscle strength; | |||
(iii) loss of reflexes; | |||
(iv) unilateral atrophy; and | |||
(c) the impairment has not improved after non-operative treatment. | |||
• An ISV of about 10 will be appropriate if there is a fracture of a vertebral body with up to 25% compression, and ongoing pain. | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an uncomplicated fracture of a posterior element of 1 or more of the vertebral segments, for example, spinous or transverse processes, without neurological impairment. | |||
87 Moderate cervical spine injury—soft tissue injury | Comment | 5 to 10 | |
The injury will cause moderate permanent impairment, for which there is objective evidence, of the cervical spine. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV of not more than 10 will be appropriate if there is a DPI of 8% caused by a soft tissue injury for which there is no radiological evidence. | |||
88 Minor cervical spine injury | Comment | 0 to 4 | |
• Injuries within this item include a whiplash injury with no ongoing symptoms, other than symptoms that are merely a nuisance, remaining more than 18 months after the injury is caused. | |||
• There will be no objective signs of neurological impairment | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A soft tissue or whiplash injury if symptoms are minor and the injured worker recovers, or is expected to recover, from the injury to a level where the injury is merely a nuisance within 18 months after the injury is caused | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury will resolve without any ongoing symptoms within months after the injury is caused. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injury, despite improvement, causes headaches and some ongoing pain. | |||
Division 2 Thoracic or lumbar spine injuries | |||
General comment for items 89 to 93 | |||
• This division does not apply to the following injuries (that are dealt with in items 1 to 3)— | |||
• quadriplegia | |||
• paraplegia | |||
• hemiplegia or severe paralysis of more than 1 limb. | |||
• Thoracic or lumbar spine injuries, other than those dealt with in items 1 to 3, range from cases of very severe disability to cases of a minor strain, with no time off work and symptoms suffered only for 2 or 3 weeks. | |||
• Symptoms associated with nerve root compression or damage can not be taken into account in assessing an ISV under item 89, 90 or 91 unless objective signs are present of nerve root compression or damage, for example— | |||
• CT or MRI scans or other radiological evidence | |||
• muscle wasting | |||
• clinical findings of deep tendon reflex loss, motor weakness and loss of sensation. | |||
89 Extreme thoracic or lumbar spine injury | Comment | 36 to 60 | |
These are extremely severe injuries causing gross limitation of movement and serious interference with performance of daily activities. There may be some motor or sensory loss, and some impairment of bladder, ano-rectal or sexual function. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A fracture involving compression of a thoracic or lumbar vertebral body of more than 50%, with neurological impairment | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 25%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of at least 45%. | |||
90 Serious thoracic or lumbar spine injury | Comment | 16 to 35 | |
• The injury will cause serious permanent impairment in the thoracic or lumbar spine. | |||
• The injury may involve— | |||
(a) bilateral or multilevel nerve root damage; or | |||
(b) a change in motion segment integrity, for example, because of surgery. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A fracture involving at least 25% compression of 1 thoracic or lumbar vertebral body | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the injured worker has had surgery and symptoms persist; or | |||
(b) there is a fracture involving 25% compression of 1 vertebral body. | |||
• An ISV in the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a fracture involving 50% compression of a vertebral body, with ongoing pain. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured worker has had a fusion of vertebral bodies that has failed— | |||
(a) leaving objective signs of significant residual nerve root damage and ongoing pain, affecting 1 side of the body; and | |||
(b) causing a DPI of 24%. | |||
91 Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury— fracture, disc prolapse or nerve root compression or damage | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 5 to 15 | |
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there is a disc prolapse for which there is radiological evidence at an anatomically correct level; and | |||
(b) there are symptoms of pain and 3 or more of the following objective signs, that are anatomically localised to an appropriate spinal nerve root distribution— | |||
(i) sensory loss; | |||
(ii) loss of muscle strength; | |||
(iii) loss of reflexes; | |||
(iv) unilateral atrophy; and | |||
(c) the impairment has not improved after non-operative treatment. | |||
• An ISV of about 10 will be appropriate if there is a fracture of a vertebral body with up to 25% compression, and ongoing pain. | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an uncomplicated fracture of a posterior element of 1 or more of the vertebral segments, for example spinous or transverse processes, without neurological impairment. | |||
92 Moderate thoracic or lumbar spine injury—soft tissue injury | Comment | 5 to 10 | |
The injury will cause moderate permanent impairment, for which there is objective evidence, of the thoracic or lumbar spine. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV of not more than 10 will be appropriate if there is a DPI of 8% caused by a soft tissue injury for which there is no radiological evidence. | |||
93 Minor thoracic or lumbar spine injury | Example of the injury | 0 to 4 | |
A soft tissue injury of the thoracic or lumbar spine with no— | |||
• significant clinical findings | |||
• fractures | |||
• documented neurological impairment | |||
• significant loss of motion segment integrity | |||
• other objective signs of impairment relating to the injury | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate, whether or not the injured worker continues to suffer some ongoing pain, if the injury will substantially reach maximum medical improvement, with only minor symptoms, within about 18 months after the injury is caused. | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injury will resolve without any ongoing symptoms within months after the injury is caused. | |||
Division 3 Shoulder injuries | |||
General comment for items 94 to 97 | |||
• Injuries under items 94 to 97 include subluxations or dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint, acromioclavicular joint or glenohumeral joint. | |||
• Soft tissue injuries may involve the musculoligamentous supporting structures of the joints. | |||
• Fractures may involve the clavicle, the scapula (shoulder blade) and the humerus. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 94 to 97 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the shoulder of the dominant upper limb. | |||
94 Extreme shoulder injury | Comment | 31 to 50 | |
These are the most severe traumatic injuries causing gross permanent impairment. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A severe fracture or dislocation, with secondary medical complications | |||
• Joint disruption with poor outcome after surgery | |||
• Degloving | |||
• Permanent nerve palsies | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI of 45% and complete loss of all shoulder function of the dominant upper limb. | |||
95 Serious shoulder injury | Comment | 16 to 30 | |
The injury will involve serious trauma to the shoulder causing serious permanent impairment. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A crush injury | |||
• A serious fracture with secondary arthritis | |||
• Nerve palsies from which the injured worker will partially recover | |||
• Established non-union of a clavicular or scapular fracture despite open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) | |||
• Established non-union of a clavicular or scapular fracture if surgery is not appropriate or not possible, and there is significant functional impairment | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 25% and the injury is to the dominant upper limb. | |||
96 Moderate shoulder injury | Examples of the injury | 6 to 15 | |
• Traumatic adhesive capsulitis with discomfort, limitation of movement and symptoms persisting or expected to persist for about 2 years | |||
• Permanent and significant soft tissue disruption, for example, from tendon tears or ligament tears | |||
• A fracture, from which the injured worker has made a reasonable recovery, requiring open reduction and internal fixation | |||
• Nerve palsies from which the injured worker has made a good recovery | |||
• Painful persisting dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint | |||
• An injury to the sternoclavicular joint causing permanent, painful instability | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 6%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 12% and the injury is to the dominant upper limb. | |||
97 Minor shoulder injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• Soft tissue injury with considerable pain from which the injured worker makes an almost full recovery in less than 18 months | |||
• Fracture from which the injured worker has made an uncomplicated recovery | |||
• Strain injury of the acromioclavicular joint or sternoclavicular joint | |||
Division 4 Amputation of upper limbs | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 98 to 99.3 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the amputation is of the dominant upper limb. | |||
98 Loss of both upper limbs, or loss of 1 arm and extreme injury to the other arm | Comment | 55 to 85 | |
The effect of the injury is to reduce the injured worker to a state of considerable helplessness. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Whether the amputations are above or below the elbow (the loss of the elbow joint adds greatly to the disability) | |||
• The length of any stump suitable for use with a prosthesis | |||
• Severity of any phantom pains | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV of 70 to 85 will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) both upper limbs are amputated at the shoulder; or | |||
(b) 1 arm is amputated at the shoulder, and there is a loss of function in the other arm, causing a DPI of 60%. | |||
• An ISV of 65 to 80 will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) both upper limbs are amputated through the elbow or above the elbow but below the shoulder; or | |||
(b) 1 arm is amputated through the elbow or above the elbow but below the shoulder, and there is a loss of function in the other arm, causing a DPI of 57%. | |||
• An ISV of 55 to 75 will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) both upper limbs are amputated below the elbow; or | |||
(b) 1 arm is amputated below the elbow, and there is a loss of function in the other arm, causing a DPI of 54%. | |||
99 Loss of 1 upper limb | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | ||
• Whether the amputation is above or below the elbow (the loss of the elbow joint adds greatly to the disability) | |||
• Whether the amputation was of the dominant arm | |||
• The length of any stump suitable for use with a prosthesis | |||
• Severity of any phantom pains | |||
• Extent of any disability in the other arm | |||
99.1 | An upper limb amputation at the shoulder | 50 to 65 | |
99.2 | An upper limb amputation through the elbow or above the elbow but below the shoulder | 40 to 65 | |
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 99.2 | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will generally be appropriate if there is an amputation through the elbow. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a short stump because a short stump may create difficulties in the use of a prosthesis. | |||
99.3 | An upper limb amputation below the elbow | 35 to 60 | |
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV for item 99.3 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an amputation through the forearm with residual severe pain in the stump and phantom pains. | |||
Division 5 Elbow injuries | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 100 to 103 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the elbow of the dominant upper limb. | |||
100 Extreme elbow injury | Comment | 26 to 50 | |
The injury will involve an extremely severe elbow injury, falling short of amputation, leaving little effective use of the elbow joint. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A DPI for the injury of between 24% and 42% | |||
• A complex elbow fracture, or dislocation, with secondary complications | |||
• Joint disruption, with poor outcome after surgery | |||
• Degloving | |||
• Permanent nerve palsies | |||
• An injury causing severe limitation of elbow movement with the joint constrained in a non-functional position | |||
101 Serious elbow injury | Comment | 13 to 25 | |
The injury will involve significant disability and require major surgery. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A serious fracture with secondary arthritis | |||
• A crush injury | |||
• Nerve palsies from which the injured worker will partially recover | |||
• Permanent, poor restriction of range of motion with the elbow constrained in a satisfactory functional position | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 23% and the injury is to the elbow of the dominant upper limb. | |||
102 Moderate elbow injury | Comment | 6 to 12 | |
The injury will cause moderate long-term disability but does not require protracted surgery. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Soft tissue disruption, for example, a ligament or tendon tear | |||
• A fracture, from which the injured worker has made a reasonable recovery, requiring open reduction and internal fixation | |||
• Nerve palsies from which the injured worker has made a good recovery | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 5%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a moderately severe injury to the elbow of the dominant upper limb— | |||
(a) requiring prolonged treatment; and | |||
(b) causing a DPI of 10%. | |||
103 Minor elbow injury | Comment | 0 to 5 | |
The injury will cause no permanent damage and no permanent impairment of function. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A fracture with an uncomplicated recovery | |||
• A soft tissue injury with pain, minor tennis elbow syndrome or laceration | |||
Division 6 Wrist injuries | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 104 to 107 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the wrist of the dominant upper limb. | |||
104 Extreme wrist injury | Comment | 25 to 40 | |
The injury will involve severe fractures, or a dislocation, causing a high level of permanent impairment. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A severe fracture or dislocation with secondary joint complications | |||
• Joint disruption with poor outcome after surgery | |||
• Degloving | |||
• Permanent nerve palsies | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 36% and the injury is to the wrist of the dominant upper limb. | |||
105 Serious wrist injury | Examples of the injury | 16 to 24 | |
• An injury causing significant permanent loss of wrist function, for example, severe problems with gripping or pushing objects, but with some useful movement remaining | |||
• Non-union of a carpal fracture | |||
• Severe carpal instability | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 20% and the injury is to the wrist of the dominant upper limb. | |||
106 Moderate wrist injury | Examples of the injury | 6 to 15 | |
• A wrist injury that is not serious and causes some permanent disability, for example, some persisting pain and stiffness | |||
• Persisting radio-ulnar instability | |||
• Recurrent tendon subluxation or entrapment | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 6%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 12%. | |||
107 Minor wrist injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• A fracture from which the injured worker almost fully recovers | |||
• A soft tissue injury, for example, severe bruising | |||
• Continued pain following carpal tunnel release | |||
Division 7 Hand injuries | |||
General comment for items 108 to 119 | |||
Hands are cosmetically and functionally the most important part of the upper limbs. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 108 to 119 | |||
• The appropriate ISV for loss of a hand is only a little less than the appropriate ISV for the loss of the relevant arm. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will generally be appropriate if the injury is to the dominant hand. | |||
108 Total or effective loss of both hands | Examples of the injury | 51 to 75 | |
A serious injury causing extensive damage to both hands making them little more than useless | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• The level of residual capacity left in either hand | |||
• Severity of any phantom pains if there has been an amputation or amputations | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if both hands remain attached to the forearms and are of some cosmetic importance. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if both hands are amputated through the wrist. | |||
109 Serious injury to both hands | Comment | 40 to 50 | |
The injury will involve significant loss of function in both hands, for example, loss of 50% or more of the use of each hand. | |||
110 Total or effective loss of 1 hand | Examples of the injury | 35 to 60 | |
• A crushed hand that has been surgically amputated | |||
• Traumatic amputation of all fingers and most of the palm | |||
Example of factor affecting ISV assessment | |||
Severity of any phantom pain if there has been an amputation | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there has been an amputation of the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints, but the thumb remains, and there is a DPI for the injury of 32%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there has been amputation of the dominant hand at the wrist; and | |||
(b) there is residual severe pain in the stump and ongoing complications, for example, chronic regional pain syndrome or neuroma formation. | |||
111 Amputation of the thumb or part of the thumb | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 15 to 28 | |
• The level of amputation, for example, at carpo metacarpal (CMC) joint, through the distal third of the thumb metacarpal, at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint or thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint | |||
• Whether the injury is to the dominant hand | |||
• The extent of any damage to the fingers | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there has been an amputation through the interphalangeal joint of the thumb; and | |||
(b) there is a DPI for the injury of 11%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there has been an amputation through the proximal phalanx. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there has been an amputation at the base of the thumb at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint level of the dominant hand; and | |||
(b) there are ongoing debilitating complications. | |||
112 Amputation of index, middle and ring fingers, or any 2 of them | Comment | 15 to 30 | |
The amputation will cause complete loss or nearly complete loss of 2 or all of the following fingers of the hand— | |||
• index finger | |||
• middle finger | |||
• ring finger. | |||
Example of factor affecting ISV assessment | |||
The level of the amputation, for example, whether the hand has been made to be of very little use and any remaining grip is very weak | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if 2 fingers, whether index, middle or ring fingers, are amputated at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joints. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 19%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) the index, middle and ring fingers are amputated at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP joint) or there is a DPI for the injury of at least 27%; and | |||
(b) the injury is to the dominant hand. | |||
113 Amputation of individual fingers | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 5 to 20 | |
• Whether the amputation was of the index or middle finger | |||
• The level of the amputation | |||
• Any damage to other fingers short of amputation | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there has been an amputation at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint of the little or ring finger; or | |||
(b) there is a DPI for the injury of 3%. | |||
• An ISV of not more than 11 will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there has been an amputation of the index or middle finger at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint); or | |||
(b) there is a DPI for the injury of 8%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete loss of the index or middle finger of the dominant hand, and serious impairment of the remaining fingers causing a DPI of at least 15%. | |||
114 Amputation of thumb and all fingers | Comment | ||
As the injury will cause effective loss of the hand, see item 110. | |||
115 Any other injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb | Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 115.1 to 115.4 | ||
An ISV of not more than 5 will be appropriate if substantial function of the hand remains. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV | |||
• Whether the injury is to the thumb, or index or middle finger | |||
• Any damage to other fingers | |||
• Whether the injury is to the dominant hand | |||
115.1 | Extreme injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb | 16 to 25 | |
Example of the injury | |||
Total loss of function of 1 or more of the fingers, with the joints ankylosed in non-functional positions | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 14%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the thumb of the dominant hand causing total loss of function of the thumb. | |||
115.2 | Serious injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb | 11 to 15 | |
Examples of the injury | |||
• A severe crush injury causing ankylosis of the fingers | |||
• A bursting wound, or an injury causing severe finger damage, causing residual scarring and dysfunction | |||
• An injury leaving a digit that interferes with the remaining function of the hand | |||
• Division of 1 or more of the long flexor tendons of the finger, with unsuccessful repair | |||
115.3 | Moderate injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb | 6 to 10 | |
Comment | |||
There will be permanent discomfort, pain or sensitive scarring | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Moderate injury to the thumb or index finger causing loss of movement or dexterity | |||
• A crush injury causing multiple fractures of 2 or more fingers | |||
• Division of 1 or more of the long flexor tendons of the finger, with moderately successful repair | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 8% and the injury is to the dominant hand. | |||
115.4 | Minor injury to 1 or more of the fingers or the thumb | 0 to 5 | |
Example of the injury | |||
An uncomplicated fracture or soft tissue injury that has healed with minimal residual symptoms | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a straightforward fracture of 1 or more of the fingers, with complete resolution within a short time. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there has been— | |||
(a) a fracture causing minor angular or rotational malunion of the thumb, or index or middle finger, of the dominant hand; or | |||
(b) some adherence of a tendon following surgical repair, limiting full function of the digit. | |||
116 Extreme hand injury | Comment | 31 to 45 | |
• The injury will involve a severe traumatic injury to the hand, that may include amputation of part of the hand, causing gross impairment of the hand. | |||
• A hand injury causing a DPI for the injury of 35% will generally fall within this item. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• An injury reducing a hand’s capacity to 50% or less | |||
• An injury involving the amputation of several fingers that are rejoined to the hand leaving it clawed, clumsy and unsightly | |||
• An amputation of some fingers and part of the palm causing grossly reduced grip and dexterity and gross disfigurement | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the injured hand has some residual usefulness for performing activities of daily living. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured hand— | |||
(a) has little or no residual usefulness for performing activities of daily living; and (b) is the dominant hand. | |||
117 Serious hand injury | Examples of the injury | 16 to 30 | |
• A severe crush injury causing significantly impaired function despite surgery | |||
• Serious permanent tendon damage | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 20%. | |||
118 Moderate hand injury | Examples of the injury | 6 to 15 | |
• A crush injury, penetrating wound or deep laceration, requiring surgery | |||
• Moderately serious tendon damage | |||
• A hand injury causing a DPI for the injury of between 5% and 12% | |||
119 Minor hand injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
A soft tissue injury, or an injury that does not require surgery, with nearly full recovery of hand function | |||
Division 8 Upper limb injuries, other than injuries mentioned in divisions 3 to 7 | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 120 to 123 | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will generally only be appropriate if the injury is to the dominant upper limb. | |||
120 Extreme upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divisions 3 to 7 | Comment | 36 to 65 | |
The injury will involve an extremely serious upper limb injury, falling short of amputation, leaving the injured worker little better off than if the whole arm had been lost. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A serious brachial plexus injury affecting peripheral nerve function | |||
• A non-union of a fracture, with peripheral nerve damage to the extent that an arm is nearly useless | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 31%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there is a complete brachial plexus lesion shown by a flail arm and paralysis of all muscles of the hand; and | |||
(b) the injury is to the dominant limb. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is a serious crush injury that causes a DPI for the injury of 55%. | |||
121 Serious upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divisions 3 to 7 | Examples of the injury | 21 to 35 | |
• A serious fracture of the humerus, radius or ulna, or any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna, if there is significant permanent residual impairment of function | |||
• A brachial plexus injury requiring nerve grafts with partial recovery of shoulder and elbow function and normal hand function | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 16%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an injury to the dominant limb causing a DPI of 30%. | |||
122 Moderate upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divisions 3 to 7 | Examples of the injury | 6 to 20 | |
• A fracture that causes impairment of associated soft tissues, including nerves and blood vessels | |||
• A fracture with delayed union or infection | |||
• Multiple fractures of the humerus, radius or ulna, or multiple fractures of any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 6% | |||
• An ISV in the lower half of the range will be appropriate if there is a complicated fracture of the humerus, radius or ulna, or any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna— | |||
(a) requiring open reduction and internal fixation; and | |||
(b) from which the injured worker has recovered or is expected to recover. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a crush injury causing significant skin or muscle loss with permanent residual impairment. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 15%. | |||
123 Minor upper limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in divisions 3 to 7 | Example of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
An uncomplicated fracture of the humerus, radius or ulna, or any combination of the humerus, radius and ulna, from which the injured worker has fully recovered within a short time | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there are soft tissue injuries, lacerations, abrasions and contusions, from which the injured worker will fully or almost fully recover. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a brachial plexus injury from which the injured worker has substantially recovered within a few weeks, leaving some minor functional impairment. | |||
Division 9 Pelvis or hip injuries | |||
General comment for items 124 to 127 | |||
• The most serious injuries to the pelvis or hips can be as devastating as a leg amputation and will have similar ISVs. | |||
• However, the appropriate ISV for other injuries to the pelvis or hips will generally be no higher than about 20. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 124 to 127 | |||
• Exceptionally severe specific sequelae will increase the level of ISV | |||
• The availability of remedies, for example, a total hip replacement is an important factor in assessing an ISV | |||
• Age | |||
124 Extreme pelvis or hip injury | Examples of the injury | 46 to 65 | |
• An extensive pelvis fracture | |||
• Degloving | |||
• Permanent nerve palsies | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 40%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the injured worker is not able to mobilise without a wheelchair and is relatively young. | |||
125 Serious pelvis or hip injury | Comment | 26 to 45 | |
There will be substantial residual disability, for example, severe lack of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction, or deformity making the use of 2 canes or crutches routine. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A fracture dislocation of the pelvis involving both ischial and pubic rami | |||
• Traumatic myositis ossificans with formation of ectopic bone around the hip | |||
• A fracture of the acetabulum leading to degenerative changes and leg instability requiring an osteotomy, with the likelihood of future hip replacement surgery | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate for an injury causing a DPI for the injury of 20%. | |||
126 Moderate pelvis or hip injury | Examples of the injury | 11 to 25 | |
• A significant pelvis or hip injury, with no major permanent disability | |||
• A hip fracture requiring a hip replacement | |||
• A fracture of the sacrum extending into the sacro-iliac joint causing ongoing significant symptoms and a DPI of at least 10% | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 10%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a fracture requiring a hip replacement that is only partially successful, so that there is a clear risk of the need for revision surgery. | |||
127 Minor pelvis or hip injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 10 | |
• An uncomplicated fracture of 1 or more of the bones of the pelvis or hip that does not require surgery or cause permanent impairment | |||
• Undisplaced coccygeal fractures | |||
• Undisplaced or healed pubic rami fractures | |||
• An injury to the coccyx requiring surgery, that is successful. | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a soft tissue injury from which the injured worker fully recovers. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 5%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the person has ongoing coccydynia and difficulties with sitting. | |||
Division 10 Amputation of lower limbs | |||
Subdivision 1 Amputation of both lower limbs | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 128 and 129 | |||
• The level of each amputation | |||
• Severity of any phantom pain | |||
• Pain in the stumps | |||
• Extent of any ongoing symptoms | |||
128 Loss of both lower limbs above or through the knee | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 55 to 70 | |
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if each amputation is near the hips so neither stump can be used with a prosthesis. | |||
129 Below the knee amputation of both lower limbs | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 50 to 65 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 48%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) both legs are amputated just below the knees leaving little or no stumps for use with prostheses; and | |||
(b) there is poor quality skin cover; and | |||
(c) there is a chronic regional pain syndrome. | |||
Subdivision 2 Amputation of 1 lower limb | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 130 and 131 | |||
• The level of the amputation | |||
• Severity of any phantom pain | |||
• Whether there have been problems with a prosthesis, for example, pain and further damage to the stump | |||
130 Above or through the knee amputation of 1 lower limb | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 35 to 50 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is through or just above the knee. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is near the hip and a prosthesis can not be used. | |||
131 Below the knee amputation of 1 lower limb | Comment about appropriate level of ISV | 31 to 45 | |
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate in a straightforward case of a below-knee amputation with no complications. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is an amputation close to the knee joint, leaving little or no stump for use with a prosthesis. | |||
Division 11 Lower limb injuries, other than injuries mentioned in division 9 or 10 or divisions 12 to 15 | |||
132 Extreme lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in division 9 or 10 or divisions 12 to 15 | Comment | 31 to 55 | |
These are the most severe injuries short of amputation, leaving the injured worker little better off than if the whole leg had been lost. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Extensive degloving of the lower limb | |||
• An injury causing gross shortening of the lower limb | |||
• A fracture that has not united despite extensive bone grafting | |||
• Serious neurovascular injury | |||
• A lower limb injury causing a DPI of 40% | |||
133 133 Serious lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in division 9 or 10 or divisions 12 to 15 | Comment | 21 to 30 | |
• Removal of extensive muscle tissue and extensive scarring may have a significant enough impact to fall within this item. | |||
• An injury to multiple joints or ligaments causing instability, prolonged treatment and a long period of non-weight-bearing may have a significant enough impact to fall within this item, but generally only if those results are combined. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
Multiple complex fractures of the lower limb that are expected to take years to heal and cause serious deformity and serious limitation of mobility | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 16%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 25%. | |||
134 Moderate lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in division 9 or 10 or divisions 12 to 15 | Examples of the injury | 11 to 20 | |
• A fracture causing impairment of associated soft tissues, including nerves and blood vessels | |||
• A fracture with delayed union or infection | |||
• Multiple fractures of the femur, tibia or fibula, or multiple fractures of any combination of the femur, tibia and fibula | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Period of non-weight-bearing | |||
• Presence or risk of degenerative change | |||
• Imperfect union of a fracture | |||
• Muscle wasting | |||
• Limited joint movement | |||
• Unsightly scarring | |||
• Permanently increased vulnerability to future damage | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 10%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment for life. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 15%. | |||
135 Minor lower limb injury, other than an injury mentioned in division 9 or 10 or divisions 12 to 15 | Example of the injury | 0 to 10 | |
An uncomplicated fracture of the femur, tibia or fibula, from which the injured worker has fully recovered | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment for less than 6 months, from which the injured worker will fully recover. | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will also be appropriate if— | |||
(a) there are soft tissue injuries, lacerations, cuts, bruising or contusions, from which the injured worker will fully or almost fully recover; and | |||
(b) any residual disability will be minor. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment for at least 1 year. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if the injured worker is left with impaired mobility or a defective gait. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will also be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 9%. | |||
Division 12 Knee injuries | |||
General comment for items 136 to 139 | |||
The availability of remedies, for example, a total knee replacement is an important factor in assessing an ISV under this division. | |||
136 Extreme knee injury | Example of the injury | 25 to 40 | |
A severe knee injury if there is a disruption of the joint, gross ligamentous damage, loss of function after unsuccessful surgery, lengthy treatment and considerable pain | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 20%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a total knee replacement was needed and— | |||
(a) it is very likely that the knee replacement will need to be repeated; or | |||
(b) there are ongoing severe symptoms, poor function and a DPI for the injury of more than 30%. | |||
137 Serious knee injury | Comment | 11 to 24 | |
The injury may involve— | |||
(a) ongoing pain, discomfort, limitation of movement, instability or deformity; and | |||
(b) a risk, in the long-term, of degenerative changes caused by damage to the joint surfaces, muscular wasting or ligamentous or meniscal injury. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
A leg fracture extending into the knee joint, causing pain that is constant, permanent and limits movement or impairs agility | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if there is a ligamentous injury, that required surgery and prolonged rehabilitation, causing a DPI of 15% and functional limitation. | |||
138 Moderate knee injury | Examples of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
A dislocation or torn cartilage or meniscus causing ongoing minor instability, wasting and weakness | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 8%. | |||
139 Minor knee injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
• A partial cartilage, meniscal or ligamentous tear | |||
• A laceration | |||
• A twisting or bruising injury | |||
Division 13 Ankle injuries | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV for items 140 to 143 | |||
The appropriate ISV for the vast majority of ankle injuries is 1 or 2. | |||
140 Extreme ankle injury | Examples of the injury | 21 to 35 | |
• A transmalleolar fracture of the ankle with extensive soft tissue damage causing 1 or more of the following— | |||
(a) severe deformity with varus or valgus malalignment; | |||
(b) a risk that any future injury to the relevant leg may lead to a below-knee amputation of the leg; | |||
(c) marked reduction in walking ability with constant dependence on walking aids; | |||
(d) inability to place the relevant foot for even load-bearing distribution. | |||
• An ankylosed ankle in a severely misaligned position with severe ongoing pain and other debilitating complications • A DPI for the injury of more than 20% | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• A failed arthrodesis | |||
• Regular disturbance of sleep | |||
• Need for an orthosis for load bearing and walking | |||
141 Serious ankle injury | Example of the injury | 11 to 20 | |
An injury requiring a long period of treatment, a long time in plaster or insertion of pins and plates, if— | |||
(a) there is permanent significant ankle instability; or | |||
(b) the ability to walk is severely limited on a permanent basis | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Unsightly scarring | |||
• The significance of any malunion | |||
• A requirement for modified footwear | |||
• Whether, and to what degree, there is swelling following activity | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 10%. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if a major tendon controlling foot or ankle movement is severed. | |||
142 Moderate ankle injury | Example of the injury | 6 to 10 | |
A fracture, ligamentous tear or similar injury causing moderate disability, for example— | |||
• difficulty in walking on uneven ground | |||
• awkwardness on stairs | |||
• irritation from metal plates | |||
• residual scarring | |||
Additional comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is a DPI for the injury of 6%. | |||
143 Minor ankle injury | Example of the injury | 0 to 5 | |
A sprain, ligamentous or soft tissue injury or minor or undisplaced fracture | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Whether the injured worker has fully recovered from the injury, and if not, whether there is any tendency for the ankle to give way | |||
• Whether there is scarring, aching or discomfort | |||
Division 14 Foot injuries | |||
Subdivision 1 Amputations | |||
144 Amputation of both feet | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 32 to 65 | |
• Severity of any phantom pain | |||
• Pain in the stumps | |||
• Extent of any ongoing symptoms | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there are amputations of both feet at the forefoot (transmetatarsal level amputations). | |||
• An ISV of about 40 will be appropriate if there are amputations of both feet at the mid foot (tarsometatarsal level or Lisfranc amputations). | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if each amputation is at the level of the ankle (Syme’s amputation) and the stumps can not be used with prostheses. | |||
145 Amputation of 1 foot | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | 20 to 35 | |
• Severity of any phantom pain | |||
• Pain in the stump | |||
• Extent of any ongoing symptoms | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is at the forefoot (transmetatarsal level amputation). | |||
• An ISV of about 26 will be appropriate if the amputation is at the mid foot (tarsometatarsal level or Lisfranc amputation). | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is at the level of the ankle (Syme’s amputation) and the stump can not be used with a prosthesis. | |||
Subdivision 2 Other foot injuries | |||
146 Extreme foot injury that is not an amputation | Comment | 13 to 25 | |
There will be permanent and severe pain or very serious permanent disability. | |||
Example of the injury | |||
An unusually severe foot injury causing a DPI of 15% or more, for example, a heel fusion or loss of the tibia-calcaneum angle | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is subtalar fibrous ankylosis in a severely malaligned position, ongoing pain and a DPI for the injury of 24%. | |||
147 Serious foot injury | Examples of the injury | 9 to 12 | |
• A severe midfoot deformity causing a DPI of 8% | |||
• A lower level loss of the tibia-calcaneum angler | |||
148 Moderate foot injury | Example of the injury | 4 to 8 | |
A displaced metatarsal fracture causing permanent deformity, with ongoing symptoms of minor severity, for example, a limp that does not prevent the injured worker engaging in most daily activities | |||
149 Minor foot injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 3 | |
A simple metatarsal fracture, ruptured ligament, puncture wound or similar injury | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV of 2 or less will be appropriate if there is a straightforward foot injury, for example, a fracture, laceration or contusions, from which the injured worker will fully recover. | |||
Division 15 Toe injuries | |||
150 Extreme toe injury | Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 150.1 to 150.3 | ||
• Whether the amputation was traumatic or surgical | |||
• Extent of the loss of the forefoot | |||
• Residual effects on mobility | |||
150.1 | Amputation of all toes | 8 to 20 | |
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the middle of the range will be appropriate if the amputation is through the metatarsophalangeal joints (MTP joints) of all toes. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete amputation of all toes and amputation of a substantial part of the forefoot. | |||
150.2 | Amputation of the great toe | 6 to 12 | |
Example of factor affecting ISV assessment for item 150.2 | |||
The level at which the amputation happens or any ongoing symptoms | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete loss of the great toe and ball of the foot caused by an amputation through the first metatarsal bone. | |||
150.3 | Amputation of individual lesser toes | 3 to 5 | |
Example of factor affecting ISV assessment for item 150.3 | |||
The level at which the amputation happens or any ongoing symptoms | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is an amputation of 1 lesser toe and— | |||
(a) there is no ongoing pain; and | |||
(b) there is little or no loss of function of the foot; and | |||
(c) the cosmetic effect of the amputation is minor. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is complete amputation of all lesser toes and part of the forefoot. | |||
151 Serious toe injury | Comment | 8 to 12 | |
The injury will cause serious and permanent disability. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A severe crush injury causing ankylosis of the toes | |||
• A bursting wound, or an injury causing severe toe damage, with significant symptoms | |||
152 Moderate toe injury | Comment | 4 to 7 | |
There will be permanent discomfort, pain or sensitive scarring. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• A moderate injury to the great toe | |||
• A crush injury causing multiple fractures of 2 or more toes | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there has been more than 1 unsuccessful operation, or there are persisting stabbing pains, impaired gait or similar effects. | |||
153 Minor toe injury | Examples of the injury | 0 to 3 | |
A relatively straightforward fracture or soft tissue injury | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV of 1 will be appropriate if there is a straightforward fracture of 1 or more toes with complete resolution within a short time. | |||
Division 16 Limb disorders | |||
General comment | |||
The ISV for a limb disorder must be assessed having regard to the item of this schedule that— | |||
(a) relates to the part of the body affected by the disorder; and | |||
(b) is for an injury that has a similar level of adverse impact to the disorder. | |||
Examples of a limb disorder | |||
• Tenosynovitis (inflammation of synovial sheaths of tendons usually resolving with rest over a short period and sometimes leading to ongoing symptoms of loss of grip and dexterity) | |||
• Peripheral nerve injury (the constriction of the motor or sensory nerves or thickening of surrounding tissue, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica) | |||
• Epicondylitis (inflammation around the elbow joint, for example, medially (golfer’s elbow) or laterally (tennis elbow)) | |||
• Vascular disorders, for example, deep vein thrombosis | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment | |||
• Whether the disorder is bilateral or one sided | |||
• The level of pain, swelling, tenderness or crepitus or other symptoms | |||
• The capacity to avoid a recurrence of symptoms | |||
• The ability to engage in daily activities | |||
• The availability and likely benefit of surgery | |||
• Whether the disorder is to a dominant or non-dominant limb | |||
Part 7 Scarring to parts of the body other than the face | |||
General comment | |||
• This part applies to external appearance and physical condition of the skin only, and includes scarring to the scalp, trunk and limbs. | |||
• Facial scarring must be assessed under part 3, division 2. | |||
• This part does not apply to adhesions, or scarring, of internal organs. | |||
• This part will usually apply to an injury involving skeletal damage only if the skeletal damage is minor. | |||
• Many of the physical injuries mentioned in this schedule involve some scarring from the initial injury and subsequent surgery, including skin grafting, to repair the injury and this has been taken into account in fixing the range of ISVs for the injuries. | |||
Example— The ISV range for an injury causing a closed fracture of a limb takes into account the potential need for open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture and the resulting surgical wound and scar. | |||
Examples of factors affecting ISV assessment for items 154.1 to 154.4 | |||
• Location of a scar | |||
• Age | |||
• Adverse psychological reaction | |||
• Likelihood of a scar fading or becoming less noticeable over time | |||
154 Scarring to a part of the body other than the face | |||
154.1 | Extreme scarring to a part of the body other than the face | 14 to 25 | |
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
• An ISV at or near the bottom of the range will be appropriate if there is— | |||
(a) extensive scarring to 1 or more of the limbs and significant cosmetic disfigurement; and | |||
(b) either— | |||
(i) the need to keep the limb or limbs covered or wear special clothing; or | |||
(ii) ongoing limitation in the ability to participate in activities because of cosmetic disfigurement or functional impairment. | |||
• An ISV at or near the top of the range will be appropriate if there is gross permanent scarring over an extensive area or areas of the body, with ongoing pain and other symptoms. | |||
154.2 | Serious scarring to a part of the body other than the face | 9 to 13 | |
Comment | |||
There is serious scarring— | |||
(a) requiring extensive medical treatment or surgery; and | |||
(b) causing significant ongoing limitation in the ability to participate in activities because of cosmetic disfigurement or functional impairment. | |||
Examples of the injury | |||
• Significant scarring over the upper and lower arm requiring skin grafting if— | |||
(a) there are post-operative complications requiring additional medical treatment for up to 18 months; and | |||
(b) there is maximum medical improvement within 2 years after the scarring is caused. | |||
• Hypertrophic (keloid) scarring caused by a burn to the front of the neck, with an intermittent sensation of burning, itching or irritation. | |||
154.3 | Moderate scarring to a part of the body other than the face | 4 to 8 | |
Examples of the injury | |||
• Several noticeable scars that are hypertrophic (keloid) | |||
• A significant linear scar in an area of cosmetic importance, for example, the front of the neck | |||
154.4 | Minor scarring to a part of the body other than the face | 0 to 3 | |
Examples of the injury | |||
• Scarring caused by a superficial burn that heals within a few weeks and causes some minor change of pigmentation in a noticeable area. | |||
• A single noticeable scar, or several superficial scars, to 1 or both of the legs, arms or hands, with some minor cosmetic damage. | |||
Part 8 Burn injuries | |||
General comment | |||
• The ISV for a burn injury must be assessed having regard to the item of this schedule that— | |||
(a) relates to the part of the body affected by the burn injury; and | |||
(b) is for an injury that has a similar level of adverse impact to the burn injury. | |||
• Burns to the face must be assessed under part 3, division 2. | |||
• In burns cases, the ISV for an injury to a part of the body causing functional impairment will generally be at or near the top of the range for an injury to that part of the body. | |||
• In serious burns cases, the effects of scarring are more comprehensive and less able to be remedied than the effects of scarring from other causes. | |||
Part 9 Injuries affecting hair | |||
155 Extreme injury affecting head hair | Example of the injury | 11 to 15 | |
Total permanent loss of head hair | |||
156 Serious injury affecting head hair | Example of the injury | 4 to 10 | |
Damage to head hair, caused by, for example, defective waving or tinting, if— | |||
(a) the physical effect of the damage is— | |||
(i) dermatitis; or | |||
(ii) tingling or burning of the scalp, causing dry, brittle hair that breaks off or falls out, or both; and | |||
(b) the physical effect leads to depression, loss of confidence and inhibited social life | |||
Comment about appropriate level of ISV | |||
An ISV in the upper half of the range will be appropriate if— | |||
(a) thinning continues and prospects of regrowth are poor; or | |||
(b) there is a partial loss of areas of hair and regrowth is slow. | |||
157 Moderate injury affecting head hair or loss of body hair | Examples of the injury | 0 to 3 | |
• Hair that has been pulled out leaving bald patches | |||
• The same example applies as for item 156 but with fewer or only moderate symptoms | |||
Example of factor affecting ISV assessment | |||
Length of time before regrowth | |||
Part 10 Dermatitis | |||
158 Extreme dermatitis | Examples of the injury | 11 to 20 | |
Permanent dermatitis having a severe effect on employment and domestic capability, with some mental disorder | |||
159 Serious dermatitis | Example of the injury | 8 to 10 | |
Dermatitis that— | |||
(a) lasts for years or indefinitely; and | |||
(b) involves cracking and soreness; and | |||
(c) affects employment and domestic capability; and | |||
(d) causes marked adverse psychological reaction | |||
160 Moderate dermatitis | Example of the injury | 3 to 7 | |
Dermatitis lasting for a significant period, but settling with treatment or a change of personal conduct, or both | |||
161 Minor dermatitis | Examples of the injury | 0 to 2 | |
Itching, skin irritation or a rash, alone or in combination, that resolves with treatment within a few months of the start of treatment | |||
section 129 (d)
1PIRS rates permanent impairment caused by mental disorder
The PIRS set out in schedule 11 rates permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder.PIRS ratings are referred to in schedule 9, part 2. A PIRS rating is capable of being accepted by a court under schedule 8, section 6 only if it is—(a)assessed by a medical expert as required under this schedule and schedule 11; and(b)provided to the court in a PIRS report as required under section 12.
2Areas of functional impairment
(1)The PIRS consists of 6 scales, each of which rates permanent impairment in an area of function.(2)Each scale has 5 classes of impairment, ranging from little or no impairment to total impairment.
3Medical expert must comply with requirements
(1)A medical expert must comply with this schedule and schedule 11 in assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker.(2)The medical expert may give an assessment only if the medical expert has examined the injured worker.
(1)To assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker, a medical expert must follow the steps set out in this section.Section 8 provides an example completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating.(2)Step 1—for each area of functional impairment set out in the PIRS, the medical expert must—(a)decide which level of impairment set out in the PIRS describes the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured worker; and(b)read off from the PIRS the class, for example, class 1, that corresponds to the level that has been decided.(3)In deciding which level to choose for an area of functional impairment, the medical expert—(a)must have regard to—(i)the examples of indicators of the level of impairment set out in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and(ii)all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured worker’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured worker’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and(b)may have regard to the range of percentages of impairment set out in the PIRS for the area as a guide to the level of impairment.The examples of impairment set out in the PIRS assume a full pre-existing functional capacity for the area which may not be appropriate in a particular case.(4)Step 2—the medical expert must list the class number of the 6 classes read off under step 1 in ascending order.(5)Step 3—the medical expert must work out the median of the class numbers (the median class score) under section 6.(6)Step 4—the medical expert must work out the total of the class numbers (the total class score) by adding together all of the class numbers.(7)Step 5—from the conversion table in section 7, the medical expert must read off the percentage impairment that corresponds to the particular median class score when found in conjunction with the particular total class score.(8)Subject to section 5, the percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured worker.
5Assessment if pre-existing mental disorder
(1)If an injured worker has a pre-existing mental disorder, a medical expert must—(a)work out a percentage impairment for the pre-existing mental disorder at the time immediately before the injury using the steps set out in section 4 (the pre-injury rating); and(b)work out a percentage impairment for the current mental disorder using the steps set out in section 4 (the post-injury rating); and(c)subtract the pre-injury rating from the post-injury rating.(2)The remaining percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured worker.See also section 11.
6How to work out a median class score
(1)A median class score is the number that would fall at the middle point between the third class number and the fourth class number if all the class numbers are listed in ascending order.(2)If the median class score under subsection (1) is not a whole number, the median class score must be rounded up to the nearest whole number.A median class score, as opposed to a mean class score or average class score, has the advantage of not being too influenced by 1 extreme score.
This section sets out the conversion table for use under section 4.
Conversion table for percentage impairment
Median class score
1
2
3
4
5
6
0%
Total class score
7
0%
8
1%
9
1%
4%
10
2%
5%
11
2%
5%
12
2%
6%
13
3%
7%
11%
14
3%
7%
13%
15
8%
15%
16
9%
17%
17
9%
19%
31%
18
10%
22%
34%
19
24%
37%
20
26%
41%
21
28%
44%
61%
22
30%
47%
65%
23
50%
70%
24
54%
74%
25
57%
78%
26
60%
83%
27
87%
28
91%
29
96%
30
100%
This section sets out an example of a completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder.
Area of functional impairment
Class
1
2
3
5
5
5
List of class numbers in ascending order:
1
2
3
5
5
5
Median class score (using section 6):
4
Total class score:
21
Percentage impairment (using conversion table in section 7):
44%
PIRS rating (if no pre-existing mental disorder):
44%
(1)This section applies if an injured worker refuses treatment that could lead to a significant improvement in the level of permanent impairment caused by a mental disorder of the injured worker.(2)Despite the injured worker’s refusal of treatment, a medical expert may assess a PIRS rating for the mental disorder of the injured worker.(3)The refusal of treatment must not affect the medical expert’s assessment of the PIRS rating.(4)The medical expert must note the refusal of treatment in the PIRS report and state in the report the likely effect of treatment and any reasons known to the medical expert for the refusal of treatment.(5) Subsection (6) applies if a PIRS report given to a court states that the injured worker refuses treatment that could lead to a significant improvement in the level of permanent impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured worker.(6)The court may, in assessing the ISV for an injury or multiple injuries of the injured worker, take into account the refusal of treatment and the matters stated in the PIRS report under subsection (4).(7)In this section—PIRS report means a report under section 12.
If a medical expert assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker suspects the injured worker has a cognitive impairment, the medical expert must take into account the following factors—(a)the relevant medical history of the injured worker;(b)any medical treatment, and progress towards rehabilitation, for the cognitive impairment;(c)any results of radiological scans, including CT and MRI scans, electroencephalograms and psychometric tests made available to the medical expert.
11Pre-existing mental disorder
If a medical expert assessing a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker considers the injured worker had a pre-existing mental disorder, the medical expert must—(a)make appropriate enquiry into the pre-existing mental disorder; and(b)consider any psychiatric or psychological reports made available to the medical expert.
12Court to be given PIRS report
(1)This section applies if a party to a proceeding wants a court to accept a PIRS rating assessed by a medical expert for a mental disorder of an injured worker.(2)The party must give the court a written report from the medical expert stating the following matters—(a)the mental disorder diagnosed by the medical expert;(b)the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured worker;(c)how the PIRS rating is assessed, including—(i)for each area of functional impairment set out in the PIRS—(A)the relevant clinical findings; and(B)the level of impairment set out in the PIRS that the medical expert decided described the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured worker; and(C)the class set out in the PIRS that corresponds to the level that was decided; and(ii)the median class score and total class score worked out under section 4; and(iii)if the injured worker had a pre-existing mental disorder, the information mentioned in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) in relation to the pre-injury rating and the post-injury rating as defined under section 5;(d)details of any cognitive impairment of the injured worker.
section 129 (c)
Area of functional impairment: self-care and personal hygiene
Class | Level of impairment | Examples of indicators of level of impairment Note— These must be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (a) (i). | Percentage impairment ranges Note— These may be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (b). |
Class 1 | Little or no impairment | 0 to 3% | |
Class 2 | Mild impairment | 4 to 10% | |
• can live independently | |||
• looks after himself or herself adequately, although may look unkempt occasionally | |||
• sometimes misses a meal or relies on takeaway food | |||
Class 3 | Moderate impairment | 11 to 30% | |
• can not live independently without regular support | |||
• needs prompting to shower daily and wear clean clothes | |||
• does not prepare own meals | |||
• frequently misses meals | |||
• if living independently, a family member or community nurse visits, or needs to visit, 2 to 3 times a week to ensure a minimum level of hygiene and nutrition | |||
Class 4 | Severe impairment | 31 to 60% | |
• needs supervised residential care | |||
• if unsupervised, may accidentally or deliberately hurt himself or herself | |||
Class 5 | Totally impaired | more than 60% | |
• needs assistance with basic functions, for example, feeding or toileting |
Area of functional impairment: social and recreational activities
Class | Level of impairment | Examples of indicators of level of impairment Note— These must be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (a) (i). | Percentage impairment ranges Note— These may be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (b). |
Class 1 | Little or no impairment | 0 to 3% | |
• regularly goes to cinemas, restaurants or other recreational venues | |||
• belongs to clubs or associations and is actively involved in them | |||
Class 2 | Mild impairment | 4 to 10% | |
• occasionally goes to social events without needing a support person, but does not become actively involved, for example, by dancing or cheering a team | |||
Class 3 | Moderate impairment | 11 to 30% | |
• rarely goes to social events, and usually only when prompted by family or a friend | |||
• does not become involved in social events | |||
• will not go out without a support person | |||
• remains quiet and withdrawn | |||
Class 4 | Severe impairment | 31 to 60% | |
• never leaves own residence | |||
• tolerates the company of a family member or close friend | |||
• will go to a different room or garden when a person, other than a family member or close friend, comes to visit someone at own residence | |||
Class 5 | Totally impaired | more than 60% | |
• can not tolerate living with anybody | |||
• extremely uncomfortable when visited by a close family member |
Area of functional impairment: travel
Class | Level of impairment | Examples of indicators of level of impairment Note— These must be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (a) (i). | Percentage impairment ranges Note— These may be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (b). |
Class 1 | Little or no impairment | 0 to 3% | |
• can travel to new environments without supervision | |||
Class 2 | Mild impairment | 4 to 10% | |
• can travel without a support person, but only in a familiar area, for example, to go to the local shops or visit a neighbour | |||
Class 3 | Moderate impairment | 11 to 30% | |
• can not travel away from own residence without a support person | |||
• there may be problems resulting from excessive anxiety or cognitive impairment | |||
Class 4 | Severe impairment | 31 to 60% | |
• finds it extremely uncomfortable to leave his or her own residence even with a trusted person | |||
Class 5 | Totally impaired | more than 60% | |
• can not be left unsupervised, even at own residence | |||
• may require 2 or more persons to supervise him or her when travelling |
Area of functional impairment: social functioning
Class | Level of impairment | Examples of indicators of level of impairment Note— These must be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (a) (i). | Percentage impairment ranges Note— These may be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (b). |
Class 1 | Little or no impairment | 0 to 3% | |
• has no difficulty in forming and sustaining relationships, for example, with a spouse or close friend lasting years | |||
Class 2 | Mild impairment | 4 to 10% | |
• existing relationships are strained | |||
• tension and arguments between the injured worker and a spouse or close family member | |||
• some friendships are lost | |||
Class 3 | Moderate impairment | 11 to 30% | |
• established relationships are severely strained, as is shown by periods of separation or domestic violence | |||
• if the injured worker has children, then a spouse, family members or community services are providing most of the care for the children | |||
Class 4 | Severe impairment | 31 to 60% | |
• can not form or sustain long-term relationships | |||
• pre-existing relationships, for example, with a spouse or close friend, have ended | |||
• can not care for dependants, for example, child dependants (if any) or an elderly parent | |||
Class 5 | Totally impaired | more than 60% | |
• can not function within society | |||
• lives away from populated areas | |||
• actively avoids social contact |
Area of functional impairment: concentration, persistence and pace
Class | Level of impairment | Examples of indicators of level of impairment Note— These must be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (a) (i). | Percentage impairment ranges Note— These may be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (b). |
Class 1 | Little or no impairment | 0 to 3% | |
• can complete vocational education and training or a university course within a normal time frame | |||
Class 2 | Mild impairment | 4 to 10% | |
• can undertake a basic or standard retraining course at a slower pace | |||
• can focus on intellectually demanding tasks for up to 30 minutes, then may feel fatigued or develop headaches | |||
Class 3 | Moderate impairment | 11 to 30% | |
• can not read more than newspaper articles | |||
• finds it difficult to follow complex instructions, for example, operating manuals or building plans | |||
• can not make significant repairs to motor vehicle or type long documents | |||
• can not follow a pattern for making clothes or tapestry or knitting | |||
Class 4 | Severe impairment | 31 to 60% | |
• able only to read a few lines before losing concentration | |||
• has difficulty in following simple instructions | |||
• impaired concentration is obvious even during brief conversation | |||
• can not live alone or needs regular assistance from family members or community services | |||
Class 5 | Totally impaired | more than 60% | |
• needs constant supervision and assistance within an institutional environment |
Area of functional impairment: adaptation
Note— This area of functional impairment deals with employability. | |||
Class | Level of impairment | Examples of indicators of level of impairment Note— These must be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (a) (i). | Percentage impairment ranges Note— These may be had regard to under schedule 10, section 4 (3) (b). |
Class 1 | Little or no impairment | 0 to 3% | |
• can work full-time in the position (the pre-injury position) in which the injured worker worked immediately before the injury | |||
• the injured worker’s duties at work and performance of the duties are consistent with the worker’s education and training | |||
• can cope with the normal demands of the job | |||
Class 2 | Mild impairment | 4 to 10% | |
• can work in the pre-injury position, but for no more than 20 hours a week, for example, because the injured worker is no longer happy to work with particular persons | |||
• can work full-time in a different position where performance of the relevant duties requires the use of comparable skill and intellect to that required to perform the duties of the pre-injury position | |||
Class 3 | Moderate impairment | 11 to 30% | |
• can not work at all in the pre-injury position | |||
• only able to work less than 20 hours a week in a different position where performance of the relevant duties requires less skill or is otherwise less demanding, for example, less stressful | |||
Class 4 | Severe impairment | 31 to 60% | |
• can not work more than 1 or 2 days at a time | |||
• works less than 20 hours a fortnight | |||
• the pace at which work is done is reduced | |||
• attendance at work is erratic | |||
Class 5 | Totally impaired | more than 60% | |
• needs constant supervision and assistance within an institutional environment | |||
Table 1—For an injury sustained from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 (dates inclusive) | |||
Item | Injury scale value | Base amount | Variable amount |
1 | 5 or less | — | Injury scale value x $1180 |
2 | 10 or less but more than 5 | $5900 | (Injury scale value - 5) x $1410 |
3 | 15 or less but more than 10 | $12,950 | (Injury scale value - 10) x $1650 |
4 | 20 or less but more than 15 | $21,200 | (Injury scale value - 15) x $1880 |
5 | 25 or less but more than 20 | $30,600 | (Injury scale value - 20) x $2120 |
6 | 30 or less but more than 25 | $41,200 | (Injury scale value - 25) x $2360 |
7 | 35 or less but more than 30 | $53,000 | (Injury scale value - 30) x $2590 |
8 | 40 or less but more than 35 | $65,950 | (Injury scale value - 35) x $2830 |
9 | 50 or less but more than 40 | $80,100 | (Injury scale value - 40) x $3040 |
10 | 60 or less but more than 50 | $110,500 | (Injury scale value - 50) x $3250 |
11 | 70 or less but more than 60 | $143,000 | (Injury scale value - 60) x $3460 |
12 | 80 or less but more than 70 | $177,600 | (Injury scale value - 70) x $3680 |
13 | 90 or less but more than 80 | $214,400 | (Injury scale value - 80) x $3890 |
14 | 100 or less but more than 90 | $253,300 | (Injury scale value - 90) x $4120 |
Table 2—For an injury sustained from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 (dates inclusive) | |||
Item | Injury scale value | Base amount | Variable amount |
1 | 5 or less | — | Injury scale value x $1210 |
2 | 10 or less but more than 5 | $6050 | (Injury scale value - 5) x $1450 |
3 | 15 or less but more than 10 | $13,300 | (Injury scale value - 10) x $1700 |
4 | 20 or less but more than 15 | $21,800 | (Injury scale value - 15) x $1930 |
5 | 25 or less but more than 20 | $31,450 | (Injury scale value - 20) x $2180 |
6 | 30 or less but more than 25 | $42,350 | (Injury scale value - 25) x $2430 |
7 | 35 or less but more than 30 | $54,500 | (Injury scale value - 30) x $2660 |
8 | 40 or less but more than 35 | $67,800 | (Injury scale value - 35) x $2910 |
9 | 50 or less but more than 40 | $82,350 | (Injury scale value - 40) x $3130 |
10 | 60 or less but more than 50 | $113,650 | (Injury scale value - 50) x $3340 |
11 | 70 or less but more than 60 | $147,050 | (Injury scale value - 60) x $3560 |
12 | 80 or less but more than 70 | $182,650 | (Injury scale value - 70) x $3780 |
13 | 90 or less but more than 80 | $220,450 | (Injury scale value - 80) x $4000 |
14 | 100 or less but more than 90 | $260,450 | (Injury scale value - 90) x $4240 |
Table 3—For an injury sustained from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 (dates inclusive) | |||
Item | Injury scale value | Base amount | Variable amount |
1 | 5 or less | — | Injury scale value x $1270 |
2 | 10 or less but more than 5 | $6350 | (Injury scale value - 5) x $1530 |
3 | 15 or less but more than 10 | $14,000 | (Injury scale value - 10) x $1790 |
4 | 20 or less but more than 15 | $22,950 | (Injury scale value - 15) x $2030 |
5 | 25 or less but more than 20 | $33,100 | (Injury scale value - 20) x $2300 |
6 | 30 or less but more than 25 | $44,600 | (Injury scale value - 25) x $2560 |
7 | 35 or less but more than 30 | $57,400 | (Injury scale value - 30) x $2800 |
8 | 40 or less but more than 35 | $71,400 | (Injury scale value - 35) x $3070 |
9 | 50 or less but more than 40 | $86,750 | (Injury scale value - 40) x $3300 |
10 | 60 or less but more than 50 | $119,750 | (Injury scale value - 50) x $3520 |
11 | 70 or less but more than 60 | $154,950 | (Injury scale value - 60) x $3750 |
12 | 80 or less but more than 70 | $192,450 | (Injury scale value - 70) x $3980 |
13 | 90 or less but more than 80 | $232,250 | (Injury scale value - 80) x $4210 |
14 | 100 or less but more than 90 | $274,350 | (Injury scale value - 90) x $4470 |
Table 4—For an injury sustained from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 (dates inclusive) | |||
Item | Injury scale value | Base amount | Variable amount |
1 | 5 or less | — | Injury scale value x $1310 |
2 | 10 or less but more than 5 | $6550 | (Injury scale value - 5) x $1580 |
3 | 15 or less but more than 10 | $14,450 | (Injury scale value - 10) x $1840 |
4 | 20 or less but more than 15 | $23,650 | (Injury scale value - 15) x $2090 |
5 | 25 or less but more than 20 | $34,100 | (Injury scale value - 20) x $2370 |
6 | 30 or less but more than 25 | $45,950 | (Injury scale value - 25) x $2640 |
7 | 35 or less but more than 30 | $59,150 | (Injury scale value - 30) x $2880 |
8 | 40 or less but more than 35 | $73,550 | (Injury scale value - 35) x $3160 |
9 | 50 or less but more than 40 | $89,350 | (Injury scale value - 40) x $3400 |
10 | 60 or less but more than 50 | $123,350 | (Injury scale value - 50) x $3620 |
11 | 70 or less but more than 60 | $159,550 | (Injury scale value - 60) x $3860 |
12 | 80 or less but more than 70 | $198,150 | (Injury scale value - 70) x $4100 |
13 | 90 or less but more than 80 | $239,150 | (Injury scale value - 80) x $4340 |
14 | 100 or less but more than 90 | $282,550 | (Injury scale value - 90) x $4600 |
Table 5—For an injury sustained from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 (dates inclusive) | |||
Item | Injury scale value | Base amount | Variable amount |
1 | 5 or less | — | Injury scale value x $1360 |
2 | 10 or less but more than 5 | $6800 | (Injury scale value - 5) x $1640 |
3 | 15 or less but more than 10 | $15,000 | (Injury scale value - 10) x $1910 |
4 | 20 or less but more than 15 | $24,550 | (Injury scale value - 15) x $2170 |
5 | 25 or less but more than 20 | $35,400 | (Injury scale value - 20) x $2460 |
6 | 30 or less but more than 25 | $47,700 | (Injury scale value - 25) x $2740 |
7 | 35 or less but more than 30 | $61,400 | (Injury scale value - 30) x $2990 |
8 | 40 or less but more than 35 | $76,350 | (Injury scale value - 35) x $3280 |
9 | 50 or less but more than 40 | $92,750 | (Injury scale value - 40) x $3530 |
10 | 60 or less but more than 50 | $128,050 | (Injury scale value - 50) x $3760 |
11 | 70 or less but more than 60 | $165,650 | (Injury scale value - 60) x $4010 |
12 | 80 or less but more than 70 | $205,750 | (Injury scale value - 70) x $4260 |
13 | 90 or less but more than 80 | $248,350 | (Injury scale value - 80) x $4500 |
14 | 100 or less but more than 90 | $293,350 | (Injury scale value - 90) x $4770 |
Table 6—For an injury sustained on or after 1 July 2015 | |||
Item | Injury scale value | Base amount | Variable amount |
1 | 5 or less | — | Injury scale value x $1390 |
2 | 10 or less but more than 5 | $6950 | (Injury scale value - 5) x $1680 |
3 | 15 or less but more than 10 | $15,350 | (Injury scale value - 10) x $1960 |
4 | 20 or less but more than 15 | $25,150 | (Injury scale value - 15) x $2220 |
5 | 25 or less but more than 20 | $36,250 | (Injury scale value - 20) x $2520 |
6 | 30 or less but more than 25 | $48,850 | (Injury scale value - 25) x $2810 |
7 | 35 or less but more than 30 | $62,900 | (Injury scale value - 30) x $3060 |
8 | 40 or less but more than 35 | $78,200 | (Injury scale value - 35) x $3360 |
9 | 50 or less but more than 40 | $95,000 | (Injury scale value - 40) x $3620 |
10 | 60 or less but more than 50 | $131,200 | (Injury scale value - 50) x $3850 |
11 | 70 or less but more than 60 | $169,700 | (Injury scale value - 60) x $4110 |
12 | 80 or less but more than 70 | $210,800 | (Injury scale value - 70) x $4360 |
13 | 90 or less but more than 80 | $254,400 | (Injury scale value - 80) x $4610 |
14 | 100 or less but more than 90 | $300,500 | (Injury scale value - 90) x $4890 |
sub 2015 SL No. 47 s 14
actuarial standard means ‘Professional Standard 300—Actuarial reports and advice on outstanding claims in general insurance’ issued by the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (ACN 000 423 656).
A copy of the standard may be inspected at the Regulator’s office.
actuary means an actuary approved by the Regulator.
adverse psychological reaction does not include a mental disorder.
AMA 4 means the ‘Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment’ (4th edition) published by the American Medical Association.
AMA 5 means the ‘Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment’ (5th edition) published by the American Medical Association.
ankylosis means fixation of a joint in a specific position.
appointed actuary means—
(a)for part 3, division 3—an actuary appointed under section 49; and
(b)for part 3, division 4—an actuary approved by the Regulator under section 84 (3) of the Act to assess the self-insurer’s estimated claims liability.
arbiter means the actuarial arbiter appointed under section 93.
AS/NZS means a standard published jointly by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand.
assessed premium, for an employer, means premium calculated using the employer’s wages for a period of insurance.
assessment day means—
(a)for part 3, division 1—the last day of the financial quarter immediately before the day the application for self-insurance is lodged; and
(b)for part 3, division 2—the last day of the financial quarter immediately before the day the self-insurer applies to the Regulator under section 89 of the Act for a change in the group membership on the licence; and
(c)for part 3, division 3—last day of the financial quarter immediately before the cancellation day; and
(d)for part 3, division 5—the last day of the financial quarter immediately before the cancellation day; and
(e)for part 3, division 6—the last day of the financial quarter immediately before the final day.
binaural tables means the binaural tables recommended and published by National Acoustic Laboratories.
cancellation day means—
(a)for part 3, division 3—the day the former self-insurer’s licence is cancelled; and
(b)for part 3, division 5—the day the non-scheme employer’s continued licence is cancelled under section 105E of the Act.
central estimate has the meaning given by the actuarial standard, section 10.
claim means—
(a)an application for compensation; or
(b)a claim for damages.
consent day means the day the Regulator approves the application for the change in the self-insurer’s membership.
continued licence, for a non-scheme employer, see section 105B (2) of the Act.
decision, of an insurer, for part 4, division 3A, subdivision 4, see section 112L.
digestive system—
(a)means the organs and other parts of the body forming the alimentary tract, and includes the tongue, throat and abdominal wall; but
(b)does not include an organ or other part of the body mentioned in the injury column of schedule 9.
dominant injury, of multiple injuries, means—
(a)if the highest range for 2 or more of the injuries of the multiple injuries is the same—the injury of those injuries selected as the dominant injury by a court assessing an ISV; or
(b)otherwise—the injury of the multiple injuries having the highest range.
The selection as a dominant injury of a particular injury from 2 or more injuries having the same highest range will not affect the outcome of the court’s assessment of an ISV for the multiple injuries.
DPI amount, for schedule 4A, see schedule 4A, section 1 (a).
DSM 4 means the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2000.
estimated claims liability has the same meaning as in section 84 (6) of the Act.
estimated claims liability amount, for part 3, division 3 means the amount of a self-insurer’s estimated claims liability as calculated under division 4.
final day means the day a non-scheme member stops being a member of the old insurer under section 105M of the Act.
finalised non-scheme employer’s liability amount for part 3, division 5 means the finalised amount of a non-scheme employer’s liability as calculated under subdivision 3.
financial quarter means a period of 3 months beginning on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October.
former self-insurer’s liability amount, for part 3, division 3, means the amount of the former self-insurer’s liability calculated under this division.
further premium, for an employer, means an amount, other than assessed premium or provisional premium, payable by an employer to WorkCover under the Act, and includes the following—
(a)arrears of premium;
(b)additional premium under section 8 (4);
(c)interest on premium under section 10 (2);
(d)an amount of unpaid premium or a payment or penalty payable under section 57 (2) of the Act;
(e)additional premium for late payment under section 61 or 62 of the Act;
(f)additional premium under section 63 of the Act.
hearing loss tables means Report No. 118—Improved Procedure for Determining Percentage Loss of Hearing (1988) published by National Acoustic Laboratories.
highest range means the range of ISVs having the highest maximum ISV.
household worker means a person employed solely in and about, or in connection with, a private dwelling house or the grounds of the dwelling house.
injured worker means a worker who sustained an injury.
injury, for part 4, division 3A and schedule 4A, see section 112A.
ISV means injury scale value.
last employment period see section 13 (3) (b) (ii).
Le Fort I fracture means a horizontal segmented fracture of the alveolar process of the maxilla.
Le Fort II fracture means a unilateral or bilateral fracture of the maxilla—
(a)in which the body of the maxilla is separated from the facial skeleton and pyramidal in shape; and
(b)that may extend through the body of the maxilla down the midline of the hard palate, through the floor of the orbit and into the nasal cavity.
Le Fort III fracture means a fracture in which the entire maxilla and 1 or more facial bones are completely separated from the brain case.
legal cost amount, for schedule 4A, see schedule 4A, section 1 (b).
lower extremity see AMA 4.
medical expert, for an assessment of a PIRS rating, means a person—
(a)who is appropriately qualified to perform the assessment, including a psychologist, neuropsychologist or psychiatrist; and
(b)who has had appropriate training in the use of the PIRS.
medical specialty means the branch of medicine that is a recognised specialty under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law that is relevant to the matters referred to the Tribunal for decision.
mental disorder means a mental disorder recognised under DSM 4.
modified barthel index means the guidelines and modified scoring of the barthel index stated in the article Improving the Sensitivity of the Barthel Index for Stroke Rehabilitation by S Shah, F Vanclay and B Cooper published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 1989, vol 42 no 8, pp 703-709.
new insurer means the party assuming the liability.
non-scheme employer’s liability amount means an amount for a non-scheme employer’s liability.
old insurer means—
(a)for part 3, division 2—the party with whom the liability currently resides;
(b)for part 3, division 6—the self-insurer of which the non-scheme member was a member.
ophthalmologists guide means the publication Percentage Incapacity—A Guide for Members published by the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists in 1992.
A copy of the ophthalmologists guide may be obtained at the Regulator’s office.
outstanding liability amount, for part 3, division 1, means the amount of the self-insurer’s outstanding liability calculated under this division.
panel see section 112A.
PIRS means the psychiatric impairment rating scale set out in schedule 11.
PIRS rating, for a mental disorder, means a rating on the PIRS for the permanent impairment caused by the mental disorder.
pre-existing, in relation to an injury, means existing at the time immediately before the injury.
premium includes assessed premium, provisional premium and further premium.
presbycusis correction table means the presbycusis correction table recommended and published by Hearing Australia.
provisional annual levy see section 18.
provisional premium, for an employer, means premium calculated using a reasonable estimate of wages for a period of insurance.
prudential margin has the meaning given by the actuarial standard, section 12.
qualifying condition see section 112A.
range, in relation to an ISV for an injury, means the range of ISVs for the injury set out in schedule 9.
registered training organisation see the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 , schedule 3.
Regulator’s actuary means an actuary asked by the Regulator to give a report under section 61.
relevant parties, for part 3, division 2, means the old insurer and the new insurer.
risk free rate of return has the meaning given by the actuarial standard, section 13.
section 193A compensation, for an injury, see section 112A.
section 193A notice, for part 4, division 3A, see section 112G (1).
specified worker see section 112A.
self-insurer’s data, for part 3, division 4, means data that will enable the actuary to calculate the self-insurer’s estimated claims liability and prepare and give to the Regulator and the self-insurer an actuarial report on the calculation.
specialty medical assessment tribunal see section 138 (1) (b).
total liability amount, means the amount of the total liability after a change in the self-insurer’s membership.
total liability amount means—
(a)for part 3, division 2—an amount of liability after a change in the self-insurer’s membership; and
(b)for part 3, division 6—an amount of liability after a change in the self-insurer’s membership.
upper extremity see AMA 4.