Insurers' information on referring a worker
Medical assessment tribunals consist of up to five expert
medical specialists who provide a fair and independent assessment
of workers' compensation medical matters. Only a workers'
compensation insurer may refer a worker to a tribunal.
Most matters referred to a tribunal relate to:
- conflicting medical opinions about whether the injury is
work-related
- a claim previously accepted by the insurer but with uncertainty
about whether there is any ongoing incapacity from the work-related
injury
- assessing the degree of permanent impairment resulting from a
work-related injury.
Tribunal members make a collective decision about the worker's
injury based on a clinical examination and information from the
worker's claim file supplied by the insurer and any additional
information provided by the worker or their representative. The
tribunal decision is final however a worker may seek a further
hearing based on fresh medical evidence supplied within a 12 month
period.
Tribunal Secretariat staff are available to assist you over the
phone or deliver a presentation to your staff
about medical assessment tribunals.