What compensation can police officers in NSW claim?
The NSW Workers’ Compensation Scheme recognises that police officers face a uniquely broad range of injury risks. Regardless of who was at fault or whether the injury arose from a routine task or a critical incident, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
However, navigating the NSW police workers’ compensation process can be complex; officers sworn in before and after 1st April 1988 are covered under different legislative frameworks, which affect the type and level of entitlements you can access
Officers sworn in before 1 April 1988 | Officers sworn in after 1 April 1988 |
|---|---|
The Police Regulation (Superannuation) Act 1906 provides a distinct set of entitlements separate from the standard workers’ compensation scheme. You may be entitled to claim: • Invalid pension: An ongoing pension payment where your injury or illness has rendered you permanently unfit for duty. • Hurt on duty pension: Available where the injury or illness was directly sustained in the course of your duties, providing a higher rate of pension entitlement. • Lump sum compensation: For permanent impairment resulting from a work-related injury or illness. • Medical expenses: Reasonable and necessary treatment costs arising from your work-related injury. • Death benefits: Substantial lump sum payments and ongoing dependent support for the families of officers who die as a result of a work-related injury or illness. | The Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 entitle you to: • Weekly compensation payments: Replacing a portion of your pre-injury earnings while you are unable to work at full capacity. • Medical and treatment expenses: Covering reasonable and necessary costs, including specialists, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychological treatment and medication. • Lump sum compensation: For permanent impairment, assessed against the relevant medical assessment guidelines. • Return to work support: Assistance with suitable duties, workplace modifications, or retraining where your injury prevents you from resuming your former role. • Death benefits: Lump sum payments, funeral expenses, and ongoing dependent support for families of officers who die as a result of a work related injury. |
Not sure which framework applies to you?
If you are uncertain about what police injury compensation you are entitled to, or whether you can submit multiple claims, Brydens Lawyers can assess your situation and advise what is available to you and how much you can expect to receive after a successful settlement.
Call 1800 848 848 or book a free* consultation online today. (*Conditions apply).
We can help you submit multiple claims for police workers’ compensation
A workers' compensation claim is often just the starting point. Depending on the circumstances of your injury and your superannuation arrangements, you could pursue additional claims to significantly increase the total damages you could recover. Brydens Lawyers will assess your full entitlements across every available avenue, not just the most obvious one.
1. Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Claims for police officers
If your injury or illness has left you totally unable to return to your usual occupation or any role suited to your background, you may be entitled to a TPD and superannuation claim. Most NSW Police officers hold super through the Police Blue Ribbon Super fund, which includes TPD insurance as a default benefit. A successful claim can result in a substantial lump sum, separate from and in addition to any workers compensation benefits you have already received as an NSW police officer.
2. Common law damages claims for police officers
Where your injury was caused or contributed to by the negligence of your employer or a third party, you may be entitled to pursue a common law workplace injury claim in addition to your statutory workers' compensation entitlements. Brydens Lawyers will assess whether your injury meets the relevant threshold and advise you on the strength and value of a potential common law claim.
3. Claiming income protection as a police officer
Many superannuation funds include income protection insurance as a default or optional benefit. Where your work-related injury or illness has reduced your capacity to work, an income protection claim through your super fund may provide you with ongoing monthly benefit payments, typically a percentage of your pre-injury income, for a defined benefit period.
While you cannot ‘double dip’ with these types of claims, they may still be beneficial if your workers’ compensation claim was denied or your income protection payment is higher than your police injury compensation. Brydens Lawyers can advise you on how to structure your claims to ensure you are not inadvertently reducing your overall entitlements by pursuing one avenue at the expense of another.
Why pursuing multiple claims matters
At Brydens Lawyers, we conduct a thorough assessment of every available claim pathway from your very first consultation. Our goal is simple: to ensure you secure every dollar you are entitled to, which can be used to support your recovery and future, ensuring you are in the best position after sustaining a workplace injury or illness.
Find out where you stand by scheduling a no-obligation consultation online or by calling 1800 848 848.
What police injuries can I claim compensation for?
NSW Police officers are exposed to physical and psychological risks that go far beyond those faced in most workplaces. The range of injuries and conditions you can claim for is broader than many officers realise, such as:
Physical injuries Any injury sustained in the course of your duties is potentially compensable, including injuries from assaults, arrests, pursuits, falls, and equipment-related incidents. | Psychological injuries and PTSD Exposure to traumatic incidents, critical events, fatal accidents, or the cumulative stress of frontline service can give rise to PTSD, anxiety, depression and adjustment disorders. |
Workplace bullying and harassment Psychological injuries resulting from workplace bullying, harassment or intimidation by colleagues or supervisors are compensable under NSW law. These claims are assessed differently from critical incident trauma claims and carry their own evidentiary requirements. | Aggravation of a pre-existing condition You do not need a clean bill of health to make a valid claim. If the demands of your duties have materially contributed to worsening a pre-existing physical or psychological condition, you may be entitled to compensation. |
Occupational diseases and illnesses Conditions contracted as a direct result of police duties, including exposure to hazardous substances, infectious diseases, illnesses linked to prolonged shift work and occupational stress, and hearing loss resulting from firearms, sirens and high-decibel environments are compensable injuries. | Injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents on duty If you were injured in a vehicle accident during the course of your duties, whether in a police vehicle or your own, you may have concurrent entitlements under the workers’ compensation scheme and the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme. |
You are able to claim police workers' compensation in NSW for any injury sustained in the course of your duties, regardless of fault. While time limits apply, claims also cover injuries and illnesses that have developed gradually or where symptoms have not presented immediately.
Am I eligible to make a police injury compensation claim?
Many officers miss out on entitlements simply because they are unaware that a claim is available to them. Our police injury lawyers can help you if:
You have a case and do not know where to start
You have been harmed, but are unsure if it qualifies as a compensation claim
You have previously successfully prosecuted a case, but are unsatisfied with the damages awarded
You have previously successfully prosecuted a case, but believe you can seek additional damages under a different type of claim
You are unhappy with your previous or current legal representation
You have had a claim rejected and wish to appeal
You have suffered an injury for which you were wholly or partly responsible
Why police officers choose Brydens Lawyers
When you have been injured on duty, choosing the right legal team can mean the difference between a partial payout and the full police injury compensation you are entitled to. Here is why NSW Police officers across the state have trusted Brydens Lawyers for over 50 years.
Over 50 years of legal experience: Not every law firm understands the unique legal framework governing police officers. With a dedicated team of police injury lawyers in NSW, we know how the exempt employer system works, how insurers operate, and exactly how to build the strongest case for you.
Easy-to-understand advice: NSW police workers’ compensation claims can be complex, but you should never be left wondering where your case stands. We cut through the legal jargon and communicate clearly and honestly with you at every stage of the process.
Confidential consultations: Everything you share with us is kept strictly confidential. We will listen to your situation without judgment and give you an honest assessment of your prospects, with no pressure, obligation, or upfront cost*. (*Conditions apply).
Suing the police? No-Win, No-Fee*: If your circumstances require suing the police for negligence, the cost of legal action should never be a barrier to justice. Our No-Win, No-Fee* policy means you pay nothing unless we succeed. (*Conditions apply.)
We speak your language: We are proud to employ a diverse, multilingual team who can discuss your case confidently in Arabic, Mandarin, Vietnamese and several other languages, so you always know exactly where you stand.
Speak to a police injury lawyer today
You have protected your community. Now let Brydens Lawyers protect your rights.
Strict time limits apply to compensation and workplace injury claims in NSW. The sooner you have specialist legal advice in your corner, the stronger your position. Do not let delays, uncertainty, or concern about legal costs stand between you and the compensation you are entitled to; we work to a No-Win, No-Fee* policy to ensure you are in the best position to defend your rights. (*Conditions apply).
Our NSW police injury lawyers are ready to assess your case in a free*, confidential and no-obligation consultation. We will tell you exactly where you stand, what you are entitled to claim, and how we can help. Wherever you are in the claims process, Brydens Lawyers will be with you every step of the way.
(*Conditions apply).
Start your police workers’ compensation claim today
