Our New Work Injury Damages (NSW) Matter Type in LEAP

We are thrilled to announce an important update within the Personal Injury vertical at LEAP. We have now integrated a new and comprehensively updated matter type specifically for Work Injury Damages (NSW) claims.

What is the Work Injury Damages Matter Type?

A Work Injury Damages (WID) claim is a complex modified common law process that allows workers who have suffered a work-related injury due to employer negligence to claim past and future economic loss.

Handling these claims requires a distinct approach from statutory workers' compensation, involving the proving of negligence, establishing a minimum 15% Whole Person Impairment (WPI), and navigating the specific procedural requirements of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW).

The new LEAP matter type for Work Injury Damages is specifically designed to manage every stage of this specific claim – from the Pre-Filing Statement to mediation and court proceedings – with greater precision and efficiency.

Important: Please Use This New Matter Type for all WID claims

To ensure we are providing the most effective service, we ask your firm to note that this new, specialised WID matter type should be used for all new common law claims meeting the threshold requirement going forward.

Previously, firms may have used the general 'Common Law Claim' or 'Personal Injury Claim', matter types for these claims. The new Work Injury Damages matter type is purpose-built to come with tailored critical dates, specific data fields regarding economic loss, and automated documents that the general matter types lack.

Note: Using the correct matter type from the start is crucial for the streamlined management of the transition from statutory benefits to common law damages.

What’s New to Come? Key Benefits for Your Matter

This update is more than just a new folder on our system; it is a significant step up in how you manage your client’s claim for damages. Here’s what the new matter type allows us to do:

• Up-to-date prompts & automated forms: Access the latest versions of all necessary forms and precedents compliant with the Personal Injury Commission (PIC) and NSW Courts. The system automatically populates these documents with matter details, reducing administrative time and minimising errors. This includes:
  • Pre-Filing Statements and Defences
  • Notices to Insurer (s281-282)
  • Statements of Claim (District or Supreme Court)
  • PIAWE & Economic loss calculators
• Enhanced Document Management: All critical documents – such as Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs), Liability Notices, earnings schedules, and tax records – are organised logically within the digital file. This ensures we can locate key evidence regarding negligence and economic loss instantly.
• Critical Date Tracking: The system includes automated reminders for specific NSW statutory deadlines. This includes tracking the limitation period (generally 3 years from the date of injury), the expiration of statutory offers, and court timetable directions, ensuring your client's entitlements are protected.
• Pre-Built Workflows: A pre-built workflow provides a standardised roadmap for the specific WID lifecycle. This ensures critical steps – such as the service of the Pre-Filing Statement, the mediation process at the PIC, and the commencement of court proceedings – are consistently met. This efficiency empowers legal professionals to dedicate more time to proving negligence and quantifying economic loss, driving the matter towards a successful settlement or judgment.

You can provide feedback on the matter type updates here.