6 Mar 2013Article and photo courtesy of GOULBURN POST
6 March 2013
Goulburn lawyer Mark Howard, managing director of Stacks Law Firm, has been appointed to a key new post helping local people with WorkCover claims.
Mr Howard is now an Approved Legal Service Provider for WorkCover’s Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service.
The post provides free legal advice to injured workers who have had their claims rejected or challenged by insurers.
Mr Howard was appointed to the post because of his extensive experience and good reputation in providing legal help for people injured at work and his expertise in workers compensation law.
The service is part of changes to the WorkCover scheme brought in by the NSW Government last year.
Under the changes, an injured worker who disagrees with a decision by an insurer may see his local lawyer who can lodge a complaint to WorkCover’s Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service.
The service makes an initial assessment to decide whether there is a reasonably arguable case for the injured worker to succeed in his or her claim against the insurer.
If there is, then the worker will be referred back to his local lawyer, provided the lawyer is an Approved Legal Service Provider such as Mr Howard, who will then provide free independent legal advice to the injured worker.
WorkCover covers the lawyer’s fee.
Maurie Stack, chairman of Stacks Law Firm, said the appointment of Mr Howard as an approved legal service provider in Goulburn was recognition of the firm’s excellent reputation.
“You have to have a high level of expertise and a good reputation to be approved for these new posts and we are very pleased to be able to provide this service for people in Goulburn,” Mr Stack said.
