Work-related injuries

This is an injury which occurs to an employee while undertaking an activity as part of their work duties.

""

All accidents must be verbally reported to your manager immediately after they occur, and an incident report must be completed on the same day. This enables prompt investigation and ensures early injury management to begin if required.

Employee's responsibilities

Reporting

  • Report the incident to your Line Manager at the time it occurs
  • Complete a Damstra report on the day of the incident

Access treatment if required

  • Visit an ACC registered treatment provider who will lodge an injury claim if necessary
  • Inform the treatment provider that work injury claims are managed by Wellnz, on behalf of the University of Auckland (UoA)
  • Ask the treatment provider to send the invoice for your treatment, with a copy of your ACC injury claim form directly to Wellnz
  • Provide a copy of the ACC claim form to your Line Manager and keep them updated about your treatment, progress and recovery

Treatment costs

  • Up to four physiotherapy sessions are authorised in advance during the processing of an injury claim. After the claim's approval, you will have access to further physiotherapy treatments, which will be covered by the UoA, subject to any review
  • You should wait until your claim is approved prior to seeking any additional treatments or tests. The UoA will pay the full cost, including surcharges, for approved medical appointments and treatments
  • UoA will pay for the full cost of any prescribed medications relating to the work injury claim
  • Wellnz will be able to assist you with queries about treatment costs

Treatment, Rehabilitation and Return to Work

  • If you are unable to perform your pre-injury duties, all reasonable steps will be taken to assist your safe return to work
  • A Wellnz Case Manager will contact you to discuss rehabilitation, return to work and produce a rehabilitation plan. The goal of the return to work plan is to support you to return to work while you recover from an injury. You will be encouraged to return to work in some capacity, even if unable to carry out normal duties or hours
  • The rehabilitation plan may include providing assistance with activities of daily living
  • Planning for return to work is an individualised, collaborative process and involves you, your Line Manager and your case manager. It may also include healthcare providers, family/whanau, support person and/or union delegate
  • You are expected to actively participate in the return to work process
  • The return to work plan may include a graduated return, and in some cases alternative duties may be arranged
  • Return to work plans will be reviewed and updated according to individual requirements

Manager's responsibilities

  • Check the employee has received treatment
  • Check that an injury report (Damstra) has been completed. If neccessary complete one on behalf of the employee if they are unable to do so
  • Notify Wellnz  on the same day you are informed,  so they can initiate the injury management and rehabilitation process
  • Request a copy of the ACC claim form and forward it to both Wellnz and UoA Payroll. If incapacity is indicated, Wellnz will liaise directly with the UoA Payroll team regarding weekly compensation. Note: The claim form will outline any incapacity, time off work, or restricted duties. Confirm an expected return-to-work date with the employee
  • If there is ongoing incapacity or work restrictions, a Wellnz Case Manager will contact you to discuss, agree upon, and sign a return-to-work plan. This may include a workplace assessment or identifying what suitable alternative duties may be available, either within your department or elsewhere in the University
  • Maintain and record regular contact with the employee using the online monitoring form. Wellnz will also provide you with the link. Contact must be in person, via Teams, or by phone, email is not an acceptable method. This ensures their welfare and recovery are being monitored while they are off work or on a return-to-work plan
  • Direct any concerns or issues relating to the employee’s return to work to their assigned Wellnz Case Manager

Injury Management and Rehabilitation awareness for staff with direct reports

This is a short 3 minute video which outlines managers' responsibilities and requirements for supporting an injured worker. All managers with direct reports should view this video which has been assigned to them in Career Tools.

  • Go to your Carrer Tools main page
  • This training is available under ‘My Training’ section
  • Click on the ‘Launch’ option given under ‘Action’ section

The same video can be accessed via this link

Third Party Administrator (TPA - Wellnz)

  • Claims administration and management (including Issue decision letters)
  • Customised claims management reporting
  • Management of service providers
  • Case management
  • The collection and storage of work (and non-work where applicable) claim information in relation to any applicable Privacy Acts and Health and Information Privacy Codes

Case Manager

  • Enable and support claimants to stay in or return to work
  • Assess a claimant's needs
  • Liaise with health service providers and the University
  • Organise and co-ordinate the range of services provided to the claimant
  • Monitor and evaluate progress

Gradual process injuries

These injuries are caused by the gradual onset of a condition that is related to a work task or the environment that you work in.

Gradual process injuries must be diagnosed by a doctor and not a physiotherapist. The diagnosis must say the injury is related to your work and meets the legislative injury criteria. These types of injuries can worsen over time, so the sooner you seek medical attention the better.

How will the employee be paid?

This is covered in the Accident leave and weekly compensation protocol and procedures.

For more information

Contact

Wellnz: uoa@wellnz.co.nz Phone: 0508 INJURY (465 879)

HSW Team: injuryclaims@auckland.ac.nz

Document Control
Version: 2.2
Last Updated: Jul 2025
Next Review: Jul 2026
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing

Related links

Managers' ACC Monitoring Form

Injury Management and Rehabilitation awareness for staff with direct reports