Workers compensation is supposed to be a safety net designed to return injured employees to the workplace and provide assistance to those so badly hurt that they can no longer hold down a job.
Australian workers are guaranteed these protections by law, but there is disturbing evidence the system is failing badly.
“Immoral and unethical”: The financial scandal and human cost of Australia’s failing workers compensation schemes.
“The decisions that I’ve seen in our investigations are not only unjust and unreasonable and wrong, some of them are downright immoral and unethical.”
– Regulator
On Monday, reporter Adele Ferguson reveals the scandalous state of workers compensation schemes in Australia, in a joint Four Corners, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald investigation.
“I’m one individual going up against an entire system. They’ve got billions of dollars behind them, they’ve got unlimited resources, and what do I have?”
– Injured worker
Billions of dollars are set aside for these compensation schemes, yet some injured workers say their lives have been ruined by insurers hell-bent on avoiding payouts.
“I’m trying to get better and I have to fight for treatment. I’m not asking for a diamond ring or a new car. I’m asking for treatment.”
– Injured worker
Four Corners examines the insurance companies contracted to run Australia’s largest workers compensation schemes and the dubious methods they employ to assess claims.
“This is about people’s lives. This is about human suffering, and what you see are references to numbers and files and claims.”
– Regulator
While workers often lose out, the compensation business is lucrative for those operating it.
“You can just imagine how many people and organisations are circling around that pool of money and trying to make a buck out of it.”
– MP and former workers compensation lawyer
This revealing investigation will expose who the winners and losers are in the workers compensation scandal.
“It’s not a safety net at all. I just can’t believe that it’s in this country. I can’t believe that it’s such a barbaric system.”
– Injured worker
It is replayed on Tuesday 28th July at 10.00am and Wednesday 29th at 11.20pm. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEST, ABC iView and at abc.net.au/4corners.
I’m an injured person, 2020. Was injured at work,Was left in barely silo.was doing what I was instructed to do. They helped me to get I’ll through manhol .I slipped down slope hit my head on a pipe was knocked out. How long can’t remember the 2. Men where out side. But when I woke up no one was there.A a lot of time I must got out. No help. Work cover gave me lawyer Because lost of memory I had trouble. I was doing what plans were made for me I did In the me time I was put in a clinic because I PTSD approx 4yesrs as well and many physical injuries Bottom online still fight for my personal injury. I’m back in clinic now lawyer s here are all want money up front.im Pension er.Live on my own. Can someone help me I want the truth of my case be known Maybe I’ll get some memories back. Ta Walter