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  • Victoria
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    The process of challenging a WorkCover decision in Victoria

    Sustaining an injury at work can have a significant impact on your life, presenting you with not only physical injuries, but also psychological and financial stress. The last thing you need is your WorkCover claim being rejected.

    What can you do if your claim is rejected?

    WorkCover is the primary authority responsible for your entitlements, such as weekly payments, medical expenses, or lump-sum claims. If one of Workcover’s insurers makes a decision you do not agree with (examples include: rejecting your claim or denying your request for physiotherapy) you are able dispute and challenge that decision.

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    Soil, Potting Mix and Compost. The risks you may face at work.

    Soils, potting mix, and compost products typically contain basic ingredients, including water, gas, minerals, and organic matter. While these ingredients occur naturally in the environment, they provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus which can potentially cause rare illnesses, such as Legionnaire’s Disease or Mucormycosis.

    If your occupation involves work with soil, potting mix, and/or compost, it is important to follow appropriate safety measures and monitor for any symptoms.

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    National Blood Cancer Day: What you need to know about Occupational Blood Cancer

    Approximately 135,000 Australians currently live with blood cancer or a related blood disorder, and it is expected that more than 19,400 people will be newly diagnosed each year. With approximately 16 people will losing their life each day, blood cancer and …

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    Can my employer fire me if I make a workers’ compensation claim?

    If you are in a situation where you are on WorkCover, i.e you are engaged in a WorkCover claim, the law clearly dictates that you are unable to be dismissed from your employment.

    Not only are you unable to have your job discontinued, but your employer still has a legal requirement to offer you suitable duties. What constitutes this will depend on the given nature of your injuries, dictating what ‘duties’ are appropriate and suitable for you during this time.

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    Occupational Breast Cancer – What you need to know

    Breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, and the second most common in women. Around 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the time they are 85, most often in women older than 40.

    Although 99% of breast cancer diagnoses are in women, breast cancer also affects many men, with 1 in 667 men likely to be diagnosed by the age of 85. Gender diverse people taking female hormones are also at an increased risk of breast cancer.

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    PFAS – have I been exposed to ‘Forever Chemicals’?

    PFAS, the subject of the movie ‘Dark Waters’ and recently released documentary ‘How to Poison a Planet Revealed’ are a group or ‘family’ of over 15,000 man-made chemicals that are not readily bio-degradable, widespread with numerous avenues for exposure and are toxic to environments and animals including humans.

    PFAS repeal heat, water, oil, and grease; properties which caused them to become a common ingredient in a large range of products and industries over the years. They were initially used for non-stick and waterproof coatings such as Teflon.

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  • Safety Officers surveying the Duty of Care
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    Duty of Care Explained

    Possessing a duty of care depicts a legal responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of others, including taking reasonable care not to generate foreseeable harm to a person or their property. A duty of care can exist amongst a number of relationships

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    What is Q Fever?

    Q Fever is a disease that is caused by the bacteria, Coxiella burnetii. This bacterium may cause infection in both animals and humans and is diagnosed via blood tests. There is a 2-3 week incubation period between exposure and onset of symptoms

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    Occupational Skin Cancer: What you need to know

    Australia is known for having one of the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide. Statistically, two out of three Australians will develop skin cancer by the time they are 70.

    In 2019, it was estimated that 1.6 billion people were exposed to UV radiation while working outdoors. According to the Cancer Council, people who are required to work outdoors due to the nature of their occupation are five to ten times more likely to develop skin cancer.

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  • Victoria
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    Road Safety Reset: Navigating Long Weekend Journeys with Care

    Every year, knowledge and awareness about the dangers related to road accidents rise, but as we continue to depend on our roadway systems in our day to day lives, it always remains possible that an accident may occur. This becomes exemplified during public holidays, such as the upcoming Labour Day long-weekend, where busier roads and more drivers increases the likelihood of an accident arising. With many people expecting to be travelling for social events and various trips, the expected increased traffic establishes a higher risk of something unexpected happening.

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  • Queensland
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    Return-to-Work: Navigating the Journey after an Injury

    Returning to work after an injury can be a challenging and delicate process, both for the injured employee and the employer. In Queensland, the WorkCover legislation is in place to provide a structured framework that aims to facilitate a smooth and supportive transition back to the workplace. At Zaparas Lawyers, we know how important it is to understand your rights and responsibilities under the WorkCover legislation.

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    WorkCover and TPD, Can you claim both at the same time?

    If you’re unable to work due to an injury or illness there are a number of compensation options available to you depending on how the injury or illness came about. When talking about a work-related injury, some of the most common …

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