Work-related injuries

What is a work-related injury?

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

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For more information

Contact

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

HSW Team: injuryclaims@auckland.ac.nz

Print resources

Employee's responsibilities

Reporting

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 approved medications prescribed 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 an employee is unable to perform their 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

If the employee is unable to work or on restricted duties

  • Check the employee has received treatment
  • If the injury is work-related, check a reportable event (Damstra) has been completed
  • Request a copy of the ACC claim form. This will describe incapacity, time off work required, or restricted duties. Ascertain expected return to work date
  • Forward a copy of the claim form and/or medical certificate to Payroll
  • If there is on-going incapacity, the Wellnz case manager will contact the Line Manager to discuss a return to work plan which may include a workplace assessment or alternative work
  • Consider what alternative work options are available, either in your department or elsewhere
  • Maintain and record weekly contact (MS Forms) with the employee while off work or on a return to work plan to check on their welfare and recovery.
  • HSW will send you a link to the online monitoring form
  • Any issues regarding the employee’s return to work should be directed to the Wellnz Case Manager  

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

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
  • Lliaise 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.

Document Control
Version: 2.0
Last Updated: Apr 2024
Next Review: Apr 2027
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing

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