Burke Mead Lawyers

25/08/2026

If you have been receiving weekly workers’ compensation payments for many months and have recently heard the term ‘work injury damages’ for the first time, this article explains what it means for your claim. A work injury damages claim is a separate claim from the workers’ compensation claim you may already have. It is fault-based, allows an injured worker with a significant injury to recover past and future economic loss where their employer’s negligence caused the injury, and sits on top of your existing workers’ compensation entitlements.

This guide sets out who qualifies, the process, the strict time limits that apply, and, importantly, what recovering a work injury damages settlement means for the standard workers’ compensation benefits you currently rely on.

17/08/2026

Being told you can no longer return to your pre-injury job is difficult enough. When your workers’ compensation insurer then refuses to fund the retraining you need to move into a new line of work, the process can feel demoralising.

Our team at Burke Mead Lawyers recently ran a matter in the Personal Injury Commission (PIC) that turned on exactly this issue. Our client had asked for vocational retraining under Section 53 of the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (WIMA). The insurer disputed her entitlement, even though its own vocational assessor had recommended the training and confirmed she met the qualifying test.

This case study looks at how the dispute unfolded, the framework we used to challenge the refusal, and the outcome for our client, Sarah*.

In the latest case study Burke Mead secures vocational retraining for an injured worker after the insurer refused funding under Section 53 of the WIMA.

17/08/2026

We received a beautiful thank-you gift in the office today from a client we recently had the pleasure of assisting. It was a truly thoughtful surprise, and we are incredibly grateful for their kindness.

10/08/2026

If you have suffered a workplace psychological injury in New South Wales, the laws that decide whether you can claim workers’ compensation have changed. The Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2025 and the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2026, together with the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Regulation 2026 and the Workers Compensation Guidelines 2026, reshape how a workers’ compensation psychological injury NSW claim is assessed, managed, and paid.

For psychological injuries first notified to an employer on or after 1 July 2026, a new eligibility test applies. This guide explains what now constitutes a compensable psychological injury, what will change in the coming years, and what these changes mean if you are considering a claim.

What now counts as a compensable psychological injury under the NSW workers' compensation reforms? Learn the new eligibility rules around workers compensation psychological injury.

04/08/2026

A shoulder injury can leave you in pain, out of work, and facing mounting medical bills. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

In NSW, there is no single “average” figure for shoulder injury compensation payouts. Payouts for shoulder injuries depend on how the injury happened (which decides your claim pathway), how severe your injury is, and your assessed Whole Person Impairment (WPI). A shoulder injury payout can range from coverage for medical expenses and lost wages to substantial lump-sum payments for permanent impairment. Where an employer’s negligence caused the injury, work injury damages may also be available as well.

How much is a shoulder injury compensation payout in NSW? Burke Mead explains workers' comp, CTP and public liability entitlements, WPI lump sums and how to claim.

27/07/2026

As a contractor or subcontractor, you likely have public liability insurance, but you may not be entirely sure what the policy actually protects. This guide explains what contractor public liability insurance covers, the gap most contractors don’t realise is there, and if you’ve been injured while contracting or subcontracting in NSW, what compensation you may be able to claim.

Injured while contracting in NSW? Learn what contractor public liability insurance covers, what it does not, and what compensation you can actually claim.

20/07/2026

If post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental illness has stopped you from working, you may be entitled to a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) payout through your superannuation or a personal insurance policy.

We understand this can be a stressful time, and that money worries on top of your health can feel overwhelming. The good news is that PTSD and other mental health conditions can and do qualify for a TPD lump sum, and we explain how this works, what evidence supports these claims, and where to get help.

How much is a TPD payout for PTSD? Burke Mead explains the typical payout ranges, how PTSD qualifies, and how to claim through super.

07/07/2026

In NSW, employers are generally not required to pay superannuation on workers’ compensation weekly payments. There are three exceptions: your modern award requires it, your enterprise agreement requires it, or you are working on suitable duties and being paid wages by your employer for the hours worked.

This guide sets out the position in NSW under current law, including the 12% superannuation guarantee rate that took effect on 1 July 2025, and the three exceptions where super must still be paid while you are on a workers’ compensation claim.

Are you wondering, is super paid on workers compensation? Burke Mead explains what the law says on this, and the three exceptions that can apply.

18/05/2026

If you were injured in a bus accident in New South Wales, recent changes to the law may directly affect your compensation entitlements.

In March 2026, the NSW Government moved to resolve a significant legal inconsistency that had left bus accident victims in a different position to people injured in other types of motor vehicle accidents. Here is what happened, what has changed, and what it means for your claim.

The NSW Government has updated bus accident compensation laws after the McTye v Chang case. Burke Mead lawyers explains what the 2026 regulatory change means for your claim.