A tragic loss of a loved one is never made easier because that person’s death may mean a cash payment. However the fact remains that losing a person who is financially contributing to the welfare of a family can mean that lives tossed about by death also suffer doubly by suffering financial hardship.
Thankfully there seems to be a trend of workers compensation schemes recognizing that loss by providing more adequate compensation to families for workplace deaths.
In the last Budget, the Federal Government committed to increasing Comcare lump sum death benefits from their current level of $224, 494 up to $400 000. The commitment also increases weekly benefits for dependant children from $72.98 to $110 per child.
One of the immediate beneficiaries of the decision is the family of ACT Firefighter, David Balfour who was tragically killed while fighting the Victorian bushfires.
The Rudd Government will backdate the measure to 13 May 2008 to ensure Australian families of deceased Commonwealth workers receive greater support.
These increases would bring death benefits under the Australian Government’s scheme more closely into line with death benefits payable under the state workers’ compensation schemes. NSW recently increased workers compensation death benefits .
Workers compensation schemes in the states are often more generous than the Comcare scheme. So for example a Telstra worker who dies at work was worth for a long time much less than say a V Line employee.
Workers compensation could benefit by being uniform across Australia but while there are such wide differences workers say in NSW or Victoria may want to stick with what they have while Queensland workers may want to have more generous no fault benefits but would be very reluctant to give up entitlement to sue for negligence.
Benefits are going to be increased annually based on the Wage Price Index or as prescribed.
This article is also published by the author at www.injuryadvicenow.com.au
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