As an injured police or emergency services worker, you may be entitled to claim:
- Workers' compensation benefits for lost earnings, medical treatment, and other related expenses.
- Whole Person Impairment (WPI) compensation, along with pain and suffering damages for physical and/or psychological injuries.
- A lump sum payment for Work Injury Damages (WID) if negligence contributed to your injury, providing compensation for lost earnings.
- A Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claim if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident or suffered nervous shock.
- A Total Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation fund and Income Protection.
Workers Compensation Benefits
The insurer provides a statutory weekly payment, subject to CPI increases every April and October, with additional amounts for dependents. These payments continue until age 68.
If you return to work with reduced earnings, the insurer must compensate for the shortfall between your pre-injury salary and current earnings, up to the maximum statutory rate. Earning capacity, not just actual earnings, is considered when determining top-up payments.
The insurer covers reasonable and necessary medical treatment expenses, including travel costs, for life.
Whole person impairment (WPI) lump sum payout
To qualify for a WPI claim, you must have 15% or greater impairment for psychological injuries or at least 1% physical impairment to receive a payment. The higher your impairment rating, the greater your compensation.
Receiving a WPI payout does not affect your entitlement to weekly benefits or treatment/related expenses, which will continue as long as you remain eligible.
A pain and suffering claim is a separate payment assessed and settled alongside your WPI claim. You may be entitled to this compensation if you have 10% or more WPI for physical injuries or 15% or more for psychological injuries.
Work injury Damages (WID) lump sum payment
You may be eligible to claim a WID lump sum if your employer’s negligence contributed to your injury, resulting in a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment of 15% or greater.
CTP claim
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident while on duty or due to witnessing a motor accident (nervous shock)—you may be eligible to lodge a CTP claim against the insurer of the at-fault driver.
Total Permanent Disablement (TPD) Claim
A TPD claim is a lump sum payment available through an insurance policy linked to your superannuation fund or a separately held policy.
In general, if you have been unable to work for and cannot return to your pre-injury or pre-illness occupation, you may be eligible to make a claim. However, eligibility criteria vary between policies, so the specific terms of your policy must be reviewed.
Income Protection
Income protection provides monthly payments from your insurer to compensate for your inability to work due to injury or illness. However, these payments are typically offset by the statutory rate received under workers’ compensation.
Most policies include a waiting period, but if your incapacity continues beyond this timeframe, you may be eligible to make a claim.
Our Team
We have a dedicated team specialising solely in personal injury claims for Police & Emergency Services workers. Contact us to find out what you can claim.
Police & Emergency Services Compensation FAQs
Can’t find an answer that you’re looking for? Contact us, we’re more than happy to help with your police and emergency service compensation claim.
Can police officers or emergency services workers claim compensation for injuries?
Yes, police officers and emergency services workers may be able to claim compensation for injuries sustained during the course of their employment. This can include physical injuries, psychological injuries, and illnesses that arise from work-related duties. The type of claim available depends on the circumstances of the injury and the worker’s employment.
Can police and emergency services workers claim for PTSD or psychological injury?
Yes, police and emergency services workers may be able to claim compensation for PTSD, psychological injury, or other work-related mental health conditions. These claims can arise from exposure to traumatic events, repeated incidents, workplace stressors, or other aspects of the role. Psychological injury claims often require detailed medical evidence, statements and assessment.
Can I claim medical expenses after an injury on duty?
Yes, workers who are injured on duty may be able to claim reasonable and necessary medical and treatment expenses related to their injury. This may include doctor visits, specialist treatment, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, medication, and other approved treatment.
Can I make a CTP claim if I was injured in a police or emergency services vehicle accident?
Yes. NSW Police officers injured in a motor vehicle accident while performing their duties may be entitled to make a claim under the NSW Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent to which another driver was at fault. In many cases, an officer may also have entitlements under the NSW workers compensation scheme for injuries sustained in the course of employment. The interaction between CTP and workers compensation entitlements can be complex, and the compensation available will depend on factors such as liability, the nature of the injuries, and the circumstances of the accident.
Can I make more than one compensation claim?
In some circumstances, you may be able to make more than one type of compensation claim, depending on how the injury occurred and the available entitlements. For example, a workplace injury may involve workers compensation, CTP, or other potential claims. The same incident may also give rise to a TPD claim. The interaction between claims can be complex, so legal advice can help determine what options may apply.
Do police officers need a lawyer for compensation claims?
Legal advice for police and emergency services workers can be valuable due to the complexity of these matters. Claims involving workplace injuries, psychological conditions, and multiple compensation schemes can involve detailed evidence and strict requirements. An experienced compensation lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure your claim is properly assessed.