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The College of Law 27 June 2013 Workers Compensation Commission Year in Review Annette Farrell Acting Registrar Workers Compensation Commission. In this session :. Brief overview of 2012 amendments Commission Jurisdiction post 2012 amendments Statistical overview – 12 months in review
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The College of Law27 June 2013Workers Compensation CommissionYear in ReviewAnnette Farrell Acting RegistrarWorkers Compensation Commission
In this session: • Brief overview of 2012 amendments • Commission Jurisdiction post 2012 amendments • Statistical overview – 12 months in review • Listing implications • Facilitating Settlement • Form changes • Changes to Rules
2012 Legislative Amendments Legislation • Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2012 Regulations • Workers Compensation Amendment (Transitional) Regulation 2012 • Workers Compensation Amendment (Further Transitional) Regulation 2012
Overview of Amendments Schedule 1 – weekly benefits compensation • Created separate entitlement periods • Work capacity assessments by insurer • New review process Schedule 2 – lump sum compensation • Introduction of threshold for permanent impairment compensation - > 10% • Abolition of pain and suffering lump sum compensation • Limit of one claim for permanent impairment compensation
Overview of Amendments Schedule 4 – medical and related expenses • Only payable for 12 months after claim or weekly payments conclude Schedule 5 – journey claims • “real and substantial connection” Schedule 6 – heart attack and stroke claims • “significantly greater risk of injury” Schedule 7 – disease injury claims • “main contributing factor” Schedule 11 – miscellaneous amendments • Each party to bear own costs
Commission Jurisdiction • Impact of work capacity decisions • Section 43(3) of 1987 Act • Medical treatment without prior approval • Section 60(2A) of 1987 Act • Award of legal costs • Section 341(1) of 1998 Act
Listing Implications Registered Pre June 2012 • Registration to teleconference – 5 weeks • Teleconference to con/arb hearing – 3 weeks (no DFP) • Teleconference to con/arb hearing – 8 weeks (with DFPs) Registered June 2013 • Registration to teleconference – approx 36 weeks • Teleconference to con/arb hearing – between 3 and 9 months
Facilitating Settlement Registrar’s Interim Guideline • Directions for Production Prior to Teleconference Early settlement discussions • Prior to teleconference • Email consent agreements Authority to settle • Instructions during proceedings
Rules 2011 amendments • Effective from date tabled – 7 June 2013 • Still 2011 Rules • Table of all changes available on website • Only significant change to Rule 17.7 • Defective Pre-filing statements • reflects judicial interpretation Wilkinson v Perisher Blue Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 250
Further Information The Commission’s website: www.wcc.nsw.gov.au The Commission’s email: registry@wcc.nsw.gov.au The Commission’s toll free number: 1300 368 040 .