Injury Claim Lawyers

If you are a firefighter in New South Wales and have suffered a physical or psychological injury while on duty, you may be eligible to make a firefighters injury claim for Workers’ Compensation. You may also receive medical expenses, lost wages, and also a lump sum payment plus pain and suffering and domestic assistance compensation benefits. 

Should your employer be found at fault or negligent, you may also be able to​ claim damages for your firefighter’s physical injury or psychological condition. Families of firefighters (also police officers and paramedics) who die due to a physical or psychological firefighter injury may be entitled to claim death benefits, including weekly payments for dependent children, funeral expenses and a lump sum. If this is you, contact a lawyer such as those at PK Simpson today for advice and assistance.

What kind of compensation can I expect?

Pain and suffering

Future Economic Loss

Wages Lost

    Volunteer Firefighter Injury Claims

    Since June last year (2022), firefighters are now among other volunteer workers injured on duty who can now access greater Workers’ Compensation benefits, thanks to amendments to the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987. 

    The changes brought benefits and entitlements of injured volunteers up to the same level as paid workers. This included compensation for firefighter psychological injury as well as physical injuries.

    Common firefighter injuries:

    • Smoke inhalation.
    • Exposure to carcinogens and toxins. 
    • Firefighter injuries to the neck, back and shoulders due to physical exertion such as heavy lifting, design or weight of equipment. 
    • Knee, back, hip and foot injuries to firefighters from long periods of standing or walking.
    • Firefighter physical injuries from assaults.
    • Firefighter psychological injury including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by witnessing traumatic injury to others, being involved in life-threatening incidents themselves, bullying by managers or peers, verbal or physical abuse and unreasonable working conditions.
    • Noise exposure on duty causing hearing loss.
    • Firefighter injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents on duty.
    Check and Signing Injury Claim Form
    Injury Compensation Form Signing

    Cancer Compensation for Injured Firefighters

    Are you – or were you – a firefighter in NSW suffering from cancer and don’t know where to turn for help? You need to know that the law presumes cancers in both career and volunteer firefighters are presumed to have been caused by their working conditions. 

    This means you are entitled to claim workers’ compensation – depending on how long you worked as a firefighter or a volunteer – without having to prove your cancer was caused by your duties.

    Also, if your injuries do not include cancer but you are a firefighter injured on duty suffering a physical injury in an accident or incident, developed a psychological condition or other illness, you may be eligible in NSW for workers’ compensation firefighter injury claims. 

    Contact the lawyers at PK Simpson as soon as possible if you are or were a volunteer or career firefighter suffering from cancer.

    Claiming a Firefighter Cancer Injury

    The law in NSW was amended in 2018 to make it easier for employed and volunteer firefighters to claim workers’ compensation for certain types of cancer. If your cancer was diagnosed either while you were employed or volunteering as a firefighter – or after you left the service – don’t hesitate to contact PK Simpson firefighter claim injury lawyers today so our experts can help. Our no-win-no-fee policy means you don’t pay a cent upfront.

    The Specific Cancers Eligible for Firefighter Claims

    The Workers’ Compensation Legislation amendment (the Firefighters Bill) was passed in 2018 which made it easier for firefighters suffering from cancer to claim the compensation they deserve without having to first prove their firefighter injuries were caused by their job.

    Disease and qualifying service period

    • Primary leukaemia – 5 years
    • Primary site brain cancer – 5 years
    • Primary site testicular cancer – 10 years
    • Primary site breast cancer – 10 years
    • Primary site kidney cancer – 15 years
    • Primary site bladder cancer – 15 years
    • Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma – 15 years
    • Primary site prostate cancer – 15 years
    • Primary site ureter cancer -15 years
    • Primary site colorectal cancer – 15 years
    • Multiple myeloma – 15 years
    • Primary site oesophageal cancer – 25 years

    Firefighters Eligible for Cancer Compensation

    Firefighters claiming compensation for any of the cancers automatically presumed to have developed in the course of their work must meet the stated qualifying periods of service or employment from September 27, 2018. However, no time limit applies to a diagnosis made after firefighters cease work or service as a volunteer. 

    And if you were a firefighter diagnosed with any of the above cancers prior to September 27, 2018, you may still be retrospectively eligible for the presumption provided you meet specific circumstances. Be sure to contact a lawyer today if this is you.

    Work Injuries Claims

    Your Boss Can Dispute Your Firefighter Injury Claim

    Be aware that your employer has the right to dispute your claim and the presumption that your cancer was caused by your work if they can prove your firefighter injury diagnosis was not work-related. You need the services of a firefighter injury solicitor to fight your case, so call PK Simpson firefighter injury claim lawyers today. 

    Firefighters and Volunteers Eligible For Cancer Claims 

    The new law regarding presumption applies to volunteer, career firefighters and former firefighters from these organisations:

    • NSW Rural Fire Service.
    • Fire and Rescue NSW.
    • Forestry Corporation of NSW.
    • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (Office of Environment and Heritage).
    • Sydney Trains.

    Cancer cause presumption does not apply to volunteers in any NSW Fire and Rescue Community Fire Units.

    Call PK Simpson Firefighter Injury Solicitors

    At PK Simpson, our firefighter injury lawyers are personal injury law experts on hand to help you lodge your compensation claim for firefighter injury benefits and a lump sum compensation payment. Contact us today so we can help you.

    You’re in safe hands with us

    7 out of 10 clients are referred by our current clients.

    “I’m so happy to have found the team at PK Simpson. They helped me when I was going through one of the toughest times of my life. When my claim settled I ended up with a compensation payout which allowed me to keep my family home. Would recommend 100%”

    Sammy Dickson
    a month ago

    “I have received the cheque and paperwork. Thank you very much! I really appreciate what you have achieved.”

    Fred, Erskineville NSW
    a month ago

    “Thank you so much. I definitely will stay in touch. You always manage to help so thank you very much from both my father and I. We really appreciate your help and the whole team.”

    Rasha, Heckenberg
    a month ago

    “The very friendly team at PK Simpson has helped me complete three TPD claims. They have helped in all aspects from professional courtesy to contacting me in regards to appointments. I strongly recommend that you go with PK if you’re in need of any help.”

    Semi, Blacktown NSW
    a month ago

    “I am very, very thankful to PK Simpson for helping me get my TPD claim approved. This has changed my life. All my debts are paid off. I still have funds to secure my future.A very special thanks to my TPD solicitor and secretary for all the help and follow up you did.”

    Ahmed, West Hoxton NSW
    a month ago

    “I have received your letter with attached cheque. I wanted to thank you for finalising my matter so quickly. It is very much appreciated. All the best to my TPD team.”

    Kurt, Adelaide SA
    a month ago

    “Thank you so much I have gone through a lot. This will help me in a lot of ways physically and mentally. I’ve sent some flowers to show my appreciation.”

    Troy, Sydney
    a month ago

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