What is Whole Person Impairment?
Whole Person Impairment (WPI) measures how an injury or illness impacts your overall health. It’s used to assess both physical and psychological conditions, showing not only how serious your injury is but also how it impacts your mood, daily activities, and quality of life.
In Queensland, WPI is actually known as DPI (Degree of Permanent Impairment). But to keep things simple, we’ll stick to using the term WPI throughout this post.
How is WPI assessed?
Your WPI is assessed by an independent doctor who specialises in your type of injury. If your condition is psychological, you’ll be evaluated by a registered psychiatrist instead.
Your WPI is assessed based on specific guidelines, which vary slightly depending on which state you’re in. Generally, the assessor will look at:
- Whether your condition has stabilised, meaning it’s unlikely to change with time or more treatment.
- How much your injury or condition has affected your daily life.
- Your state’s established medical guidelines and criteria for permanent impairment.
- The level of permanent impairment caused by your injury.
- Any past injuries, pre-existing conditions, or other factors that might be contributing to your impairment.
The assessor will then calculate your WPI percentage based on this information, following your state’s specific WPI assessment guidelines. They’ll also put together a detailed report outlining their findings, which includes your WPI percentage and any recommendations for future treatment or care.
It’s absolutely essential to wait until your condition has stabilised before getting your WPI assessed. If your WPI is assessed too early, you might end up with a lower WPI and receive less compensation than you deserve.
How WPI impacts compensation claims
In compensation claims, WPI is used to figure out whether you have a claim and how much compensation you could receive. Its exact impact depends on what type of claim you’re making and which state you’re in. Below we break down the most common types of claims impacted by WPI.
Workers compensation claims
If you’re injured or ill because of work, you’re usually entitled to basic workers compensation payments, no matter your impairment level. WPI comes into play when determining if you qualify for extra benefits, such as ongoing weekly payments or lump sum payments for permanent injuries.
For instance, in NSW, weekly workers compensation payments typically stop after five years. However, if your WPI is over 20%, you can keep receiving those payments until you return to work or hit retirement age (plus one year).
On top of that, you might be eligible for a permanent injury lump sum payout if you meet your state’s minimum threshold. In NSW, for example, you’ll need a WPI of 11% or higher for physical injuries. If your injury is psychological, this threshold increases to 15% WPI.
Common law damages claims
If your employer’s negligence caused your injury, you might have a common law damages claim. To qualify, you usually need to meet your state’s minimum WPI threshold. For example, in NSW, you must have over 15% WPI to qualify for compensation. While in Victoria, you’ll need 30% WPI or a ‘serious injury certificate’.
Once you’re over the threshold, your WPI is used to figure out how much compensation you receive for things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and future earning potential. These types of compensation are vital because they cover the full effects of your injury, assisting with both your immediate expenses and long-term needs.
Public liability claims
You may have a public liability claim if you injure yourself in a supermarket, on a footpath, at an Airbnb, or on any other public, private, or rental property. In some states, WPI is the key factor in figuring out your compensation, while others use different measures of impairment to determine your payout.
For example, in Western Australia, you must have a WPI of over 5% to claim compensation for pain and suffering and future lost wages. If your WPI is below that threshold, you can usually only claim for lost wages and medical expenses.
Additionally, your WPI can play a key role in calculating the total amount of compensation you receive for pain and suffering, future medical treatments, and ongoing care needs. These types of compensation are crucial because they help secure your financial future and ensure you can afford ongoing care and treatment.
Motor accident claims
If you’re injured on the road — whether as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian — you may be entitled to a motor accident claim. WPI is key to figuring out the types of compensation you can get after an accident.
Typically, you can claim lost income, medical expenses and other basic compensation without worrying about your WPI. However, if you want to secure more substantial compensation for things like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement, you’ll need to meet a minimum WPI requirement.
For example, in NSW, your WPI must be over 10% to qualify. In Victoria, the bar is set a bit higher; you need to have over 30% WPI or a serious injury certificate.
WPI also helps determine your eligibility for other motor accident benefits. For example, in Victoria, if your WPI is over 10%, you could receive a lump sum for permanent impairment. While in the ACT, you could qualify for an extra ‘quality of life’ benefit if your WPI is over 5%.
How we can help you
With over 25 years’ experience in compensation claims, we’re dedicated to helping you secure the maximum payout for your injury. Our legal teams specialise in work injuries, public liability, and motor accident claims, with a particular focus on spinal injuries, serious psychological illnesses and other severe injuries.
We know the ins and outs of state laws and will be with you every step of your claim — from ensuring your WPI assessment is accurate to securing every type of compensation you’re entitled to. This comprehensive approach guarantees that your compensation addresses the full physical, mental, and financial impact of the injury on your life.
If your WPI assessment feels unjust or doesn’t truly represent your condition, we’ll ask for a review on your behalf. As part of this process, we’ll use our national network of medical experts to gather compelling evidence that highlights the severity of your injury. Over the years, we’ve successfully challenged hundreds of WPI assessments.
Whether you’ve just been injured, already had your WPI assessment, or simply want some free expert advice — reach out today. Our lawyers are here to help you navigate the claims process and get the compensation you deserve.
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