Established in 2012, WIRO – the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office – is an independent statutory office. But what function does it serve and how can it help you?
In short, WIRO is meant to help resolve disputes between employees and insurers in workers’ compensation matters. If and when a claim is denied or an employer needs assistance navigating the world of workers’ compensation premiums, WIRO may be able to provide assistance. The distinctive thing about WIRO is that they attempt to resolve these issues for free while avoiding litigation and an adversarial process.
WIRO are contactable on 13 94 76.
Workers’ Compensation in Australia
From 2012-2013, SafeWork Australia reports that 117,815 serious compensation claims were made by workers throughout the state. Due to the physically demanding and dangerous nature of their jobs, it is unsurprising that the most common types of workers’ compensation claims were made by labourers, machinery operators and drivers. Back injuries are extremely prevalent and because they tend to have slow-to-appear symptoms, they often result in long lasting and expensive consequences. Other commonly claimed injuries include hearing loss, vision loss, shoulder injuries, and psychological injuries. All of these are claims that WIRO can help with.
How WIRO Can Benefit the Employee
Workers’ compensation exists to aid and protect workers who are injured in the course of their employment. A complicated insurance process means that many injured workers can become overwhelmed or frustrated by the often complicated claims process. Even more so when something ‘goes wrong’. What if the insurer decides you’re able to go back to work before you’re ready, or rejects your claim? In addition to the confusing nature of workers’ compensation, you would then be forced to try and fight against your insurer, potentially while dealing with the effects of a serious injury.
This is where WIRO can step in and help. WIRO focuses on dealing with the insurer in a number of ways. When a claim is denied, payments are delayed, medical treatment is debated, liability is refused, claim determination is overdue, or payments are reduced, WIRO may intervene.
How WIRO Can Benefit the Employer
While employers are often the first place injured employees go to for guidance, they are also faced with an abundance of challenges when coordinating with insurers to handle liability issues. Not only are they torn between protecting their employees and defending their business from liability, but they have the obligation of dealing with insurance companies. Again, WIRO may be able to help. By referring to WIRO, employers faced with workers’ compensation issues can receive aid with:
- management of claims and handling;
- calculating compensation premiums;
- determining compensation premiums;
- liability concerns (including claim acceptance or denial);
- any action taken (or NOT taken) by the specific insurer.
WIRO’s Complaints Handling Process
First, WIRO requires you to seek a review of any compensation issues with your insurer before coming to them for aid. Once all other avenues of relief have been exhausted, then WIRO can step in an offer assistance. WIRO focuses on the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques first and foremost and will only resort to a more formal and in-depth investigation if all other attempts at resolution have failed.
If WIRO cannot obtain a resolution to your problem, then WIRO may refer you to a WIRO approved lawyer for assistance. We here at BPC Lawyers are able to assist you in such an eventuality.