Four leading Taree lawyers from Stacks Law Firm have been appointed to key new posts helping people with WorkCover claims.
They will provide free legal advice to injured workers who have had their claims rejected or challenged by insurers.
Justin Stack, Grant Avery, Erin Woodward and Di Branch have been appointed approved legal service providers for WorkCover’s new Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service.
They were appointed to the new posts because of their extensive experience and good reputations in providing legal help for people injured at work and their expertise in workers compensation law.
The service is part of changes to the WorkCover scheme brought in by the NSW Government in June.
Under the changes, an injured worker who disagrees with a decision by an insurer may complain 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 to an approved legal service provider such as the four Stacks lawyers in Taree who will provide free independent legal advice to the injured worker.
WorkCover will pay the lawyers’ fees.
Justin Stack, managing director of Stacks Law Firm in Taree, said the appointment of four lawyers from the law firm as approved legal service providers 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 positions and we are very pleased to be able to provide this service,” Mr Stack said.