Case 42

On 6 June 2012 the worker lodged a claim for compensation for injuries to his neck and shoulders alleged to have occurred on 25 May 2012 by “walking into a TV on a bus”. At the time of this alleged injury, the worker was boarding a bus which was transporting him to a mine site where he worked as a truck driver for a labour hire firm.

The journey claim was accepted on 25 May 12 for 'musculoligament strain neck' and benefits were paid from 5 June 2012 to 29 August 2012.

Investigations were conducted and found the worker was working as a truck driver and had been doing so since 6 August 2012. On that basis the claim was closed on 31 August 2012.

The worker was charged with one charge for returning to a calling and failing to advise WorkCover and another charge for providing false and misleading information to WorkCover.

On 21 November 2013 the worker pleaded guilty and was fined $4,000, ordered to pay $6,651 restitution and significant investigation and legal costs. No conviction was recorded.