Statistics provided by the Victorian WorkCover Authority indicate that many treating doctors do not have confidence that insurance companies and employers are genuinely interested in rehabilitating injured workers.

Figures released on the WorkSafe website indicate that only 41% of doctors surveyed believe that their patient's employer wants their employee to return to the work place. Even more concerning, only 22% of the doctors surveyed have confidence in the employer's Return to Work Coordinator, who is responsible for ensuring the safe return of injured employees.

When you have suffered an injury at work which keeps you from working, you can often face pressure from your employer or your employer's insurance company to return to work at an early stage. It is important that you liaise with your doctor and ensure that you are both comfortable with all of the duties and tasks contained in any proposed return to work plan.

Unfortunately, the statistics also indicate that only 27% of doctors surveyed believed that employers will stick to the work restrictions outlined on the Certificate of Capacity. It is important that, when you return to work after an injury, you stick to your rehabilitation plan. The worst possible outcome would be to suffer further injury after attempting to return to normal duties too quickly.

Suffering an injury at work can have a serious impact on your life, and the welfare of those closest to you. If you or someone you know has sustained an injury at work, we invite you to contact one of our injury experts on (03) 9321 9988.