Glossary

Accredited workplace
“a workplace that has workplace rehabilitation policies and procedures” (section 45, the Act). Gaining accreditation formalises the process for rehabilitation in the workplace. This requires:

• a workplace rehabilitation policy and procedures approved by Q-COMP
• a registered rehabilitation and return to work coordinator in Queensland who is an employee or contracted to provide this service.

Act, The
Refers to the most recent version of the legislation governing workers’ compensation in Queensland, currently the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. The Act is accompanied by the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2003 which provides additional clarification on specific matters.

Adjustment to injury counselling
Counselling services to assist injured workers with their adjustment to injury. Counselling should be focused on the compensable components of the injury and aimed at achieving an early return to suitable work. The insurer must give prior approval for the counselling and it must be provided by a qualified rehabilitation counsellor, social worker or psychologist with qualifications acceptable to the insurer.

Admitted claims
The insurer allows the application for compensation and liability continues to be accepted by the insurer (this is considered to be an initial decision on the claim).

Adverse information
Information that may impact on any party in the review. For example, information that supports a worker’s claim may affect the employer’s premium should the review decision overturn the insurer’s original decision to reject the claim. The information is therefore adverse to the employer.

Aggravation
An injury that occurs when a pre-existing injury, disease or medical condition is made worse and or symptomatic. An aggravation may be covered by workers’ compensation if the aggravation arises out of, or in the course of, employment and the employment is a significant contributing factor to the aggravation.

Appeals
Workers or employers aggrieved by the outcome of a Q-COMP review can further appeal to the Industrial Magistrate or the Industrial Relations Commission within 28 days of receiving Q-COMP's decision. WorkCover can also appeal premium-related review decisions to the Industrial Magistrate.

Approved form
Forms approved under the Act by Q-COMP’s chief executive officer for regulatory purposes or WorkCover’s chief executive officer WorkCover insurance polices.

Average defendant’s cost
The average defendant’s cost, regardless of when payments were made, of finalised common law claims (this does not include claims with a $0 settlement amount).

Average finalised time lost claim cost
The average statutory cost of finalised time lost claims, including any excess amount paid for by the employer. Claims with compensation together with lump sum payments are included as time lost claims.

Average finalised time lost claim durations
Work days lost due to an injury on finalised time lost claims, including any work days lost paid for by the employer. Claims with compensation together with lump sum payments are included as time lost claims.

Average finalised claim cost
The average statutory cost of finalised claims.

Average plaintiff’s cost
The average plaintiff’s cost, regardless of when payments were made, of finalised common law claims (this does not include claims with a $0 settlement amount).

Average settlement cost
The average settlement cost, regardless of when payments were made, of finalised common law claims (this does not include claims with a $0 settlement amount).

Average time from injury to lodgement
The average time, in years, from injury date to common law lodgement. These are based on the lodgement year of the common law claim.

Average time from lodgement to finalisation
The average time, in years, from the common law claim lodgement to common law finalisation. These are based on the finalisation year of the common law claim.