Victorian workers who suffer injuries whilst attending external venues as part of their employment are still eligible to receive compensation through the WorkCover system.

The law in Victoria operates to cover injuries that happen during the ordinary course of your employment as well as on an authorised recess or where a worker is injured at external location that is not their usual place of employment. If you are required to attend another location, for example an excursion, to attend a meeting or other place where you are required to work that has been approved by your employer, any injuries resulting from this attendance can be the subject of a WorkCover claim. These claims are not restricted to physical injuries, but may also extend to psychiatric injuries. Depending on the circumstances and injury, the worker may also be able to bring a lump sum claim against their employer and/or the owner and occupier of the alternate location.

Redlich's Work Injury Lawyers recently settled a case for a Teacher who suffered a debilitating knee injury whilst on excursion with her students at a well known Melbourne Theatre Restaurant. The initial part of the claim for medical expenses and lost wages was claimed against the employer's WorkCover Insurer, and court proceedings for lump sum compensation for her pain and suffering were pursed against the Restaurant for their unsafe premises.

Often, people are hesitant to lodge a claim for these types of injuries because of concerns regarding the contribution of their employer to their injuries. However, the payment of medical expenses and lost wages is available regardless of which party is most at fault for the injury, so it is often advisable to make a claim to protect your future entitlements.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury whilst at work or attending an alternate location as part of their work, we invite you to speak to one of our expert injury lawyers on (03) 9321 9988.