Hand injury at work?

Oct 5

4 min read

Have you injured your hand at work? It can be tricky and confusing to navigate the workers' compensation system, but were are here to help.

Who is involved in my workers' compensation claim?

There are a number of people involved in your workers' compensation claim. We all work together to help you recover and get back to work. The people involved in your claim are:

• Case manager

• GP or specialist, or both

• Return to Work Coordinator

• Your employer

• Workplace Rehabilitation Provider

An injured worker completing new patient paperwork at Riverina Hand Therapy

Who is my case manager?

Your insurance company will assign you a case manager to coordinate and manage your claim. Your case manager's role is to manage the approval and payment of your medical treatment and expenses. Your case manager is your main point of contact and will be in regular contact with you, your GP or specialist, your therapists, and your employer.

What is a rehabilitation provider?

A rehabilitation provider's role is to work with you, your employer, your GP or specialist, and your therapist to ensure a smooth return-to-work process following an injury.

Your rehabilitation provider has a number of roles in your workers' compensation journey. These include:

• Assessing your workplace and reviewing your duties

• Identifying ways to help you recover at work

• Helping maintain and establish a positive relationship between yourself and your employer

• Designing a return-to-work plan to assist with your recovery and work towards getting you back to your pre-injury duties

• Providing feedback and advice about work options and re-employment if you are unable to return to your previous role or your pre-injury employer

If you do not have a rehabilitation provider, you can speak with your insurer or your therapist to organise a referral.

What is a Certificate of Capacity?

A Certificate of Capacity describes the nature of your hand injury, your capacity for work, and the treatment required for your injury to ensure you recover safely.

Your Certificate of Capacity is completed by your treating GP.

How often will I need to see my GP?

For your workers' compensation claim, you will need to see your GP regularly to update your Certificate of Capacity. This is a requirement of your insurer.

The type or nature of your injury will determine how often you need to see your GP to update your certificate. This is usually every fortnight or once a month.

How long will I need off work?

The length of time you will need off work following your hand injury depends on the nature of your injury.

Your GP or specialist, treating therapist(s), and rehabilitation provider all work together to assist with getting you back to work as soon as possible, as earlier return to work, even on light duties, has been shown to improve long-term outcomes following an injury.

What is a functional capacity assessment? Why do I need one?

Depending on the type of injury you have, you may be unable to return to your pre-injury duties for a while. A functional capacity assessment involves a number of functional tests to determine your physical ability for work, and can help in allocating suitable duties while you are recovering and working towards returning to your pre-injury duties.

Patient having pinch strength assessed by hand therapist

What is my therapist's role in my claim?

Under Workers' Compensation NSW, therapists are required to ask for approval for treatment sessions. We request the number of sessions we think you might need, how often they might need to be, and if we need extra things like splints or exercise equipment. We complete a form called an AHTR, which is how we request approval for your treatment.

We like to work closely with your GP. Your GP is the main person who will write your work cover certificates, and our input can help them understand what tasks at work you can return to and when.

We send regular update letters to your GP and case manager so they are aware of how you are progressing with your treatment.

Can I still attend therapy if my claim has been closed or finished?

Yes, absolutely! If you still require ongoing therapy or help following an injury after your workers' compensation claim closes, you are able to attend therapy services as a private patient. We can provide information on the costs involved if you require ongoing therapy after your claim has closed.

Your therapist will work hard with you to help you improve as much as possible following your hand injury, so you can get as close as possible to your pre-injury function before your claim comes to a close.

Patient completing exercises for thumb with hand therapist at Riverina Hand Therapy

Will workers' compensation cover the cost of travel for me to attend my appointments?

This can depend on your insurance company. If you are required to travel a long distance to attend your appointments, you can discuss this with your case manager.

We are here to help you through your work cover journey. Please ask us any questions if you need to; no question is silly!

Have questions about your hand or wrist injury? Our experienced hand therapists at Riverina Hand Therapy are here to help. Call us on 02 6925 0157 or visit riverinahandtherapy.com.au to book an appointment.

This information is general in nature and is intended to support, not replace, individual advice from your treating health professional. Everyone's injury and recovery are different, so please contact your GP, specialist, or your hand therapist at Riverina Hand Therapy if you have concerns about your condition.