Starting a recovery
There are steps a worker needs to take to get on the road to recovery after a work-related injury or illness.
Acting quickly can make a big difference to how soon a worker gets better, how well they’re supported, and how long it takes to get back to their job and normal life.
First steps
The first thing a worker needs to do is seek medical assistance. Depending on the type and seriousness of the injury or illness, this could be from a first aid officer or a doctor. In more serious cases, a worker should report to the hospital or call an ambulance immediately.
A workers should let their employer know straight away, so they can record the incident and notify their insurer. The treating doctor or the hospital will provide a worker with a work capacity certificate when they first see a worker. This needs to be given to their employer and submitted with their workers’ compensation claim.
A worker should lodge a claim with their insurer as soon as possible. Getting a claim underway means the primary focus can be a worker’s recovery.
What comes next?
Once a worker’s injury or illness has been assessed and their claim has been approved, a worker can discuss their rehabilitation with their insurer and treating health providers.
Rehabilitation means to work towards getting back to the way things were before the injury. The best outcome for a worker and their employer is to get a worker back to their normal job as quickly as possible. This will also lessen the emotional and financial stress on a worker and their family.
How soon can rehabilitation start?
A worker should start rehabilitation as soon as they can. This could mean being referred to someone like a physiotherapist or even to a specialist, such as an orthopaedic surgeon.
Do all workers have to take time off work?
A worker’s treating doctor will advise if a worker needs time off work. In most cases, workers will be able to stay at work or get back to work quite quickly, with some changes to their duties, hours or days. This is called workplace rehabilitation and needs planning between a worker and their treating doctor, employer and insurer.
The key document for planning a worker’s rehabilitation and return to work is a rehabilitation and return to work plan (RRTW plan). This is a written plan developed by an insurer that:
- outlines the rehabilitation objectives for an injured worker and the steps required achieve these objectives
- is developed in consultation with a worker, their employer and registered persons treating a worker.
Insurers must develop a RRTW plan for all injured workers within 10 business days of a claim being accepted.
A worker can request a copy of their RRTW plan from their insurer at any time during their claim.
Working out the best course of treatment to help a worker recover physically and mentally is a priority. Open and honest communication between a worker and their employer and insurer is key. Talking through options and setting goals can help a worker feel more in control and contributes to a positive and successful recovery journey.