Ryan was just 26 when he was knocked off his motorcycle by a car. We helped secure his financial future with both a motor vehicle accident and...
Read moreA neck injury is any kind of damage to the area around your neck, including bones, muscles, ligaments and nerves. These injuries can happen from accidents, repetitive strain, or sudden jerks. They range from minor sprains to more serious issues like fractures or nerve damage.
If you’ve suffered a neck injury at work or on the road, you might be eligible for compensation covering lost wages, medical expenses, and ongoing care. If your injury happened due to someone else’s negligence, you could also get a significant lump sum through a common law damages claim.
Keep reading to learn more about making a neck injury claim — from checking if you’re eligible to figuring out how much compensation you could receive. If you’d prefer to speak to a lawyer right away, simply reach out. We’re always ready to provide free advice on your situation.
Find out if you’re eligible for a neck injury claim today.
You can make a workers compensation or motor accident claim for almost any neck injury that happens at work or on the road. In our experience, this most commonly includes:
If your injury isn’t listed here, don’t worry — there are plenty of other conditions you might be able to claim for. To find out if your situation qualifies, get in touch with one of our expert neck injury lawyers today.
If you’ve hurt your neck while on the job, you’re usually automatically eligible for workers compensation. It doesn’t matter:
Your weekly workers compensation payments help cover lost wages and medical bills. If your neck injury leads to a permanent impairment, you could also qualify for a lump sum payout. Plus, if your neck injury was due to your employer’s negligence, you might have a common law damages claim.
Most workers compensation claims these basic entitlements:
If your injury results in long-term problems, you may be eligible for an additional lump sum payment.
Each state has a minimum impairment level you must meet to qualify for this payout. For instance, in NSW, you need a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) of 11% or higher to be eligible for a lump sum.
To find out more about how to secure your lump sum, check out our complete guide to permanent impairment claims.
If your neck injury was caused by your employer’s negligence, you might have a common law damages claim. Here’s what you need to do:
If your claim is successful, you could receive a substantial lump sum settlement — potentially worth hundreds of thousands or even millions, depending on the severity of your injury.
The compensation you receive will depend on several factors, such as:
After Emma's slip-and-fall accident at work, she suffered serious neck and shoulder injuries that required extensive surgery. We quickly realised her claim involved more than just her employer — five parties could be held accountable, including the building’s occupier, manager, cleaners, and the plumbers who had recently worked on the bathroom.
Using solid expert evidence, we demonstrated how each party failed to maintain a safe environment. We also collected medical reports, witness statements, and expert assessments to illustrate the impact of her injuries on her life. Ultimately, we successfully settled Emma’s claim for $1.55 million, ensuring she can cover her necessary medical treatment and ongoing care.
In Australia, every registered vehicle must have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, which allows you to claim compensation if you’ve suffered a neck injury in a road accident.
The best part about CTP claims is that almost anyone injured on the road can make one. This includes:
In NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory, you can make a claim even if you were at fault for the accident. However, in Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, you can only claim compensation if you prove that someone else was responsible.
In NSW, you can file a neck injury even if the accident was your fault. The amount of compensation you receive depends on whether your injury is a threshold (minor) injury or a non-minor injury.
Threshold injuries generally include soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash; while a non-minor injury could be a disc injury or neck fracture.
Your compensation may cover:
The exact amount you receive depends on how severely you’re injured.
If your condition is more severe and the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you might also be able to pursue a common law damages claim. Depending on your situation, this compensation could cover:
Want to learn more about your potential claims? Check out our road accident compensation guide.
Anastasia suffered severe neck and lower back injuries in a car crash, leaving her with permanent scarring and significant psychological trauma. Unable to work or afford ongoing care, she turned to us after losing trust in her initial lawyer. We quickly filed a claim, securing temporary payments within two months to ease her financial burden and cover her surgery costs.
To strengthen her case, we gathered comprehensive medical reports from her doctors and independent experts. Her insurer resisted paying her fair compensation, but our team negotiated persistently to avoid court. Ultimately, we secured Anastasia a $900,000 settlement plus legal costs, securing her future medical and financial needs.
In NSW, the cost of your claim depends on the type of claim. For workers compensation claims, the Independent Review Office (IRO) funds our work, so you’ll never receive a bill from us.
For motor accident claims, which aren’t covered by the IRO, you’re still protected by our No Win No Fee guarantee. Here’s what that means:
Our team use their extensive experience to increase your chances of success. We’ve won many awards for our work, including ‘Compensation Law Firm of the Year 2020 GBM Global Awards.’
If you’ve been in a car or work accident, here are some common symptoms of neck injury to look out for:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, seeing a doctor and getting a treatment plan is the first step to recovery. Once your health is in good hands, reach out to a neck injury lawyer. In a free consultation, we’ll go over your rights and potential claims to help you move forward.
Yes, strict time limits apply to all neck injury claims. The exact limit depends on what type of claim you’re making and which state you’re in.
NSW, QLD, SA and TAS | 6 months of the accident |
VIC | 30 days of the accident |
WA | 12 months of realising you’re injured |
NT | 6 months of the accident or developing the illness |
ACT | 3 years of realising you’re injured or ill |
NSW, QLD, SA, WA, TAS and NT | 3 years from the accident date |
VIC | 6 years from the accident date |
ACT | 13 weeks to 3 years depending on the type of claim |
Missed the deadline for filing your claim? Don’t worry. Our experienced lawyers are well-versed in time limit exceptions across all states and can apply on your behalf. We’ve helped hundreds of clients get delayed claims approved over the years, so you’re in good hands.
How long your claim takes depends on a few things, like how serious your injuries are, what treatment you need, and — most importantly — how well your claim is prepared. Generally speaking, most claims are wrapped up within 12 – 18 months of your injury stabilising, meaning it’s not likely to get better with more time or treatment.
If your injury hasn’t stabilised yet, it’s best to hold off on making a claim. Accepting an offer too early often means you’re missing out on the full compensation you deserve.
With decades of experience in neck injury claims, our lawyers are experts at streamlining the process and securing your compensation fast. For a more accurate timeline on your claim, get in touch today.
If your neck injury claim is denied, don’t worry — you can appeal the decision. The insurer is required to give you a notice explaining why they rejected your claim, and you have the right to request a review.
To boost your chances on appeal, you’ll need substantial extra evidence proving the insurer made a mistake. It’s crucial to get legal advice before diving into this complex process. Our specialist lawyers are always ready to provide free advice on getting your denied claim approved.
If your neck injury means you’re unable to work, you may be temporarily without income during the appeals process. The good news is, you have a few support options to explore. If you’re working with a lawyer, we’ll look into all income support options on your behalf.
Check if you have employment benefits you can use, starting with:
You may have income protection benefits included with your superannuation policy, which can give you some financial relief while you’re not able to work. If you’re uncertain about your income protection options or super benefits, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team will review your policy and give you a free assessment of what you’re entitled to.
You might also qualify for government benefits like JobSeeker or the Disability Support Pension, which can offer additional financial support while you’re out of work.
In some cases, an insurer may find you partially responsible for your injuries because of something you did (or didn’t do). This concept is known as contributory negligence, and it can vary depending on the type of claim you’re making.
Contributory negligence might include:
Contributory negligence may involve:
Typically, if the insurer decides you contributed to the accident, they will reduce your compensation based on how much they think you’re at fault. If the insurer raises this, your lawyer can step in to dispute their claims using solid evidence and proven strategies, ensuring you keep as much compensation as possible.
Let’s use a motor accident example to show how this works. Imagine you’re stopped at a red light and quickly check your phone when another driver rear-ends you. Normally, that driver would be at fault, but their insurer might propose a 30% reduction in your payout for contributory negligence. Your lawyer could challenge this by showing that there was an emergency that made you check your phone or that it wasn’t reasonable to think a quick glance would cause an accident.
While work and motor accidents are the most common causes of neck injuries, there are other scenarios where they can happen:
If you’ve suffered a neck injury in either of these scenarios, you could qualify for a public liability claim. Contact us today to explore your options — your first consultation is completely free.
Absolutely, you can have multiple claims for the same neck injury. What you’re entitled to will depend on factors like your state, the severity of your injury, and your ability to return to work.
As part of our complete service, we’ll evaluate all your potential claims. Many of our clients with serious neck injuries discover they qualify for additional claims, which can often be worth significantly more than their initial claim.
If your neck injury has prevented you from working temporarily, you might be eligible for an income protection claim. This could provide you with:
If your neck injury permanently prevents you from working, you may qualify for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim. Unlike income protection, which gives you monthly payments, a TPD benefit provides a substantial lump sum meant to support you for life. Many superannuation policies include this coverage, so you might already have insurance without even knowing it.
While you can technically make a neck injury claim on your own, having a specialist lawyer in your corner ensures you get everything you’re entitled to. A good lawyer will dive into the details of your case and support you at every step of the way.
Here’s what a lawyer can do for you:
No Win No Fee guarantee. This means there are no upfront costs and you only pay if we win your case. If we don’t succeed, you’ll never receive a bill from us.
Before you decide to settle your claim on your own, it’s definitely worth chatting with a lawyer. Once you sign that agreement and get your compensation, there’s no turning back — you can’t reopen the case.
When you walk through our doors, our top priority is to help you as much as we can. This commitment is shown in over 200 5-star reviews.
If you’ve suffered a neck injury at work or in a car accident, securing basic compensation is generally straightforward. However, this basic compensation often falls short of covering ongoing medical expenses, domestic care, and the pain and suffering your injury has caused. That’s where we come in.
Our lawyers are well-versed in the motor accident and work injury schemes across all states. We employ proven legal strategies and expert evidence to establish liability, even in the most complex cases. Plus, we’ll help identify any additional claims you might qualify for, such as common law damages and TPD, ensuring you receive the maximum compensation possible.
Voted ‘Compensation Law Firm of the Year in Australia 2020,’ we have the expertise to take on even the largest state insurers.
Contact us today for free advice about your neck injury claim. Discover how much you could receive and if you’re eligible for any extra claims.
Use our online claim checker to instantly find out if you have a claim. Alternatively, just give us a ring — our expert lawyers are always ready to answer your questions.