Injury management is the management of an injured worker, intended to provide the worker with a timely, safe and durable return to work. Injury management provides a framework for improving and streamlining the management of workplace injury and illness with a view to delivering better health and return to work outcomes for injured workers with lower costs to employers and the workers compensation system.
The following key principles underpin injury management:
- all parties, including the injured worker, should view recovery and return to work as the prime goals following a work-related injury; have a shared commitment to these goals; work together through co-operation, collaboration and consultation to achieve these goals
- early intervention is critical – injury management should start as soon as possible following injury
- where possible, the injury management process will focus on maintaining the relationship between the employer and worker
- the injury management process should be transparent, cost efficient and effective
- all parties, particularly the injured worker, the employer and the medical practitioner, should have access to information and assistance in order to clearly understand their roles, rights and responsibilities
- injury management should be of a high standard to maintain the dignity and integrity of injured workers, and ensure that injured workers are active participants in the management of their injuries
- issues relating to injury management should be resolved as soon as practicable, and with any assistance that may be necessary, to ensure effective injury management.