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Our team regularly produces articles and updates on legal developments and the implications for clients. Our latest publications can be viewed below. Alternatively, use the Search function on the left to find the topic of your choice.
No diagnosis = claim denied
October 12, 2020
Crisp and Comcare [2020] AATA 1122. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to decide whether Mr Crisp sustained a bilateral wrist injury, as a result of his employment with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The Tribunal concluded that Mr Crisp did not suffer from an ailment and found in favour of Comcare. […]
Inconsistent evidence not fatal to applicant’s claim
September 22, 2020
Chugha and Comcare [2020] AATA 2835. Key Points: The Tribunal was required to consider whether Mr Chugha’s accepted psychiatric condition continued to be significantly contributed to by his employment. The Tribunal found that Mr Chugha’s complaints of severe incapacity did not sit with the factual evidence on file, including social media posts about […]
Tribunal finds applicant exaggerated symptoms
September 22, 2020
Payten and Australian Postal Corporation [2020] AATA 1925. Key Points: Australia Post denied ongoing liability to pay compensation for medical treatment and incapacity to work in respect of Mr Payten’s previously accepted brain injury. Evidence presented to the Tribunal suggested that Mr Payten was exaggerating his ongoing symptoms. The Tribunal did not accept Mr […]
Bulging disc not caused by Centrelink, AAT finds
September 3, 2020
Hook and Comcare [2020] AATA 1792 (17 June 2020). Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to decide whether an employee sustained a bulging disc in his neck as a result of his employment at a Centrelink call centre. The Tribunal found in favour of Comcare. Background: Mr Nathan Hook was employed by the […]
Tribunal considers the application of May in a workers’ compensation claim by a Parliament House employee
July 23, 2020
Whitlock v Comcare (2020) AATA 1353. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to decide whether a security officer suffered an aggravation of her underlying psychiatric condition as a result of being bullied at work. The key issue for the Tribunal was whether a reported increase in symptoms amounted to a disease under section 5B […]
Delving into the confusion of casual employment and incapacity payments
July 23, 2020
Shillingford v Comcare [2020] FCA 775. Key Points: Mr Shillingford appealed a Tribunal decision which affirmed that his incapacity entitlements under section 19 of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1987 (Cth) (the SRC Act) were $0 The Federal Court dismissed Mr Shillingford’s appeal and ordered that he pay Comcare’s costs Background: Mr […]
Should Comcare foot the bill for Hydrotherapy Treatment in France?
July 15, 2020
SRFR and Comcare [2020] AATA 378. Key Points: The Tribunal was asked to decide whether it was reasonable for an employee to obtain hydrotherapy treatment at the Avene Centre in Montpellier, France, to treat dermatological issues. The Tribunal found in favour of Comcare. Background: SRFR suffered from long-term eczema and atopic dermatitis, as […]
A reminder for employers to tread carefully with employees suffering pre-existing psychological conditions
July 15, 2020
Bailey and Comcare (Compensation) [2020] AATA 1244 (8 May 2020). Key points: The Tribunal was asked to decide whether Ms Bailey’s psychological condition was suffered as a result of reasonable administrative action, taken in a reasonable manner, in respect of her employment. The Tribunal found in favour of Ms Bailey. Background: Ms Bailey […]
HBA signs Diversity & Equality Charter
July 15, 2020
HBA Legal is the newest signatory to the Law Council of Australia’s Diversity and Equality Charter. The Charter was developed in 2015 and is a statement of principles to acknowledge publicly a commitment to diversity and equality. Managing Director Brett Ablong said: “We take our responsibly as an employer very seriously and this is a […]
Telstra win: Fed Court upholds slip & fall decision
July 14, 2020
Dring v Telstra Corporation Limited [2020] FCA 699. Key Points: The Federal Court was required to consider whether Ms Dring sustained an injury arising out of, or in the course of, her employment with Telstra. The Tribunal found that Ms Dring sustained the injury in an interval of her employment with Telstra and, therefore, […]