Biddle Law acts for Gold Coast workers injured on the job, whatever the cause or claim pathway. From a simple WorkCover claim through to common law negligence, CTP, public liability or TPD claims, we work out what you can actually claim and manage it on a no win, no fee basis. You’ll work directly with Howard Biddle from your first call through to settlement.
Injuries at work can happen anywhere – on a busy worksite, behind a desk, in a warehouse or on the commute to work. What a lot of people don’t know is that they may be able to claim through more than one pathway for a workplace injury, depending on how and where your injury occurred.
Howard Biddle is a workers compensation lawyer based on the Gold Coast who acts for clients across every industry, including healthcare, transport and construction, with advice delivered in simple, transparent terms. You’ll receive clear information about your rights, available claim pathways and how the process works – so you can decide the best way forward. If you proceed, you have full support from start to finish.
Most injured workers know about WorkCover, but that is only one of several possible claims, and it is often not the only one that applies. Depending on how and where the injury happened, you may have a statutory WorkCover entitlement, a common law negligence claim against your employer, a CTP claim if you were driving for work, a public liability claim if you were injured at a third party’s premises, or a superannuation and TPD claim if the injury prevents you from working long term.
Running these pathways together can make a real difference to the final outcome, which a lot of people miss. We assess them as a set, not one by one, so nothing is left on the table.
Different types of claims may be able to be made for the same injury. It is important to speak to a worker’s compensation lawyer about your situation and your specific circumstances for legal advice on what you may be eligible for.
WorkCover
Likely if the injury arose out of or in the course of employment.
Common law
Possible where negligence can be established against the employer or another party. In Queensland, this often follows a statutory workers’ compensation claim.
CTP
Only where a motor vehicle is involved on a road or road-related area and another party’s negligence caused the injury.
Public liability
Where someone other than the employer (occupier, contractor, property owner or event organiser) may be negligent and a claim is made under their public liability insurance.
TPD
Depends almost entirely on the superannuation or insurance policy and whether they meet the policy definition of total and permanent disability.
Our table below shows you how different injuries may be considered across different types of claims. Please note that it is for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate the grey areas of compensation law and does not constitute legal advice in any way.
There are many factors that determine if you are eligible for compensation, including the type and level of injury, when it occurred, where it occurred, how it occurred and if there any extenuating circumstances, such as third-party or contributory negligence.
| Injury Circumstances | WorkCover or Relevant Industry Insurer | Common Law | CTP | Public Liability | TPD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravation of existing injury | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | * |
| Assault by co-worker | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Assault by customer, patient or member of public | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Back injury from lifting | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Burn injury | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chemical or hazardous substance exposure | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crush injury | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dog bite while working | ✓ | ✓ | – | * | ✓ |
| Electrical injury | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Falling object | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fatigue-related motor vehicle accident | ✓ | * | ✓ | * | ✓ |
| First responder traumatic injury | ✓ | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Hearing loss | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Injury caused by contractor or another business | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lung disease or dust exposure | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machinery accident | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machinery accident (defective equipment) | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Psychological injury (bullying, harassment, work-related trauma or psychosocial hazards) | ✓ | * | – | * | * |
| Repetitive strain injury | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Slip, trip or fall | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travelling for work (car, pedestrian, plane, cyclist) | ✓ | * | ✓ | * | ✓ |
| Travelling to or from work | ✓ | * | ✓ | * | ✓ |
| Unsafe working conditions | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vicarious trauma | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visiting supplier, client or customer premises | ✓ | ✓ | * | ✓ | ✓ |
| Work-related conference, event or training | ✓ | ✓ | * | ✓ | ✓ |
| Working from home injury | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Work vehicle accident | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Howard Biddle works personally with every client, assessing all available claim pathways, coordinating the medical evidence, and handling insurer correspondence across the different claim types. Whether the matter is a single WorkCover claim or a combined statutory, common law and TPD package, the same lawyer runs it throughout.
We work on a no win, no fee basis with professional fees capped at 35 percent of your net settlement and no uplift charges. That is well below Queensland’s legal maximum of 50 percent, and it keeps more of the compensation where it belongs, with you.
The same injury can sit across more than one claim. A delivery driver hit on the job has a WorkCover claim and a CTP claim. A nurse assaulted at a client’s home has a WorkCover claim and a public liability claim. A tradie with a serious injury may have WorkCover, a common law claim, and a TPD claim through super.
Each pathway has its own time limits, evidence requirements and settlement strategy. Missing a pathway, or pursuing one in a way that forecloses another, is the most common and expensive mistake we see. Early advice avoids it.
A common law claim is a fault-based claim against an employer or third-party for a work-related injury. Unlike a statutory no-fault WorkCover claim, common law claims are based on negligence or a breach of duty of care caused by someone else. Damages can cover past and future loss of income, medical care and pain and suffering, depending on the nature of the claim, which are paid in a lump-sum amount.
There are no guaranteed amounts of compensation that are paid with a common law claim, they are assessed on a case by case basis. In some cases, you may be able to make a WorkCover claim, as well as a common law claim. There is a 3 year time limit under section 11 of the Limitation of Actions Act 1974 (Qld) from the date the cause of action arose, which is generally around 3 years from the date the injury occurred.
We act for injured Gold Coast workers across the full range of claim pathways available under Queensland law.
Lodging, managing and resolving WorkCover Queensland claims for physical and psychological work injuries.
Claims against employers whose negligence caused serious injury, covering pain and suffering and future loss.
Compensation claims where a worker is injured while driving or travelling for work, under Queensland’s CTP scheme.
Claims for workers injured at another business or property, where a non-employer occupier is responsible.
Total and permanent disability claims through superannuation funds for workers unable to return to their usual job.
Reviewing and challenging rejected WorkCover decisions and other insurer determinations.
WorkCover is the statutory no-fault (run through a particular government scheme) compensation pathway for workplace injuries. WorkCover Queensland is underpinned by Queensland legislation that applies to eligible workers and employers. Some organisations have their own insurers, and there are also larger federal schemes such as Comcare that cover certain types of employees.
You are generally required to notify your employer that an injury has occurred as soon as possible (immediately), and make a claim within 6 months of the injury occurring. If a claim is not made within 20 days of being diagnosed by your doctor with a work-related injury, you may not be eligible for backpay. Delays can reduce or remove the option of backpay, and missing the time limit can result in an inability to claim anything at all unless a waiver applies. Get in touch with our WorkCover Lawyers Gold Coast for more information about making this type of claim.
When you work with Biddle Law, you can feel assured that our no win, no fee arrangement is genuine, and you won’t pay anything until your matter is resolved. Queensland laws allow for fees of up to a maximum of 50% of a settlement to be paid to a personal injury lawyer, whereas our agreement caps legal fees at a maximum of 35% of the net amount recovered.
We also do not charge the allowable 25% uplift fee, we have no uplift fee at all. This means that more of your settlement can remain with you. Get in touch for a free, obligation free chat today about how we can help with your matter.
Our highly skilled team is here to guide you through the workers compensation claim process with care and expertise.
Meet Howard
Howard Biddle is an experienced lawyer with a focus on personal injury and estate law. Known for his calm, client-first approach, he brings clarity and confidence to every case – no matter how complex or sensitive.
He founded Biddle Law with a simple goal: to offer practical legal support that feels human. Howard is an Admitted Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, and you’ll work directly with him at every stage of your matter.
Emma Parfitt
Emma Parfitt brings over a decade of experience in the legal industry. She is known for her empathetic approach and genuine care for clients, offering clear guidance and steady support at every stage of the process.
Meet Baloo
Baloo is Biddle Law’s unofficial office greeter and full-time client support officer. As a golden retriever with a calm nature and a love for company, Baloo helps create a welcoming, relaxed environment for clients and team members alike.
Meet Miley
Miley is Biddle Law’s newest client support officer. She is under the training and guidance of Baloo (who is her uncle!) and is an absolute ball of energy. She helps clients and team members take their minds off the big things and slow down for a moment. She has the typical loving nature of a golden retriever and is always available for a cuddle and a pat.
A work injury rarely fits neatly into one box. The earlier a lawyer looks at the full picture, the more options remain open and the better the eventual outcome tends to be. Getting that first assessment costs nothing, and it can materially change what you recover.
At Biddle Law you deal directly with a local solicitor who takes the time to listen, explains each pathway in plain language, and gives you honest advice about which claims apply to your situation. No pressure, no jargon, no upfront costs.
Getting legal advice early can save time, stress, and unnecessary expense. At Biddle Law, we provide clear, practical guidance to help you understand your rights and move forward with confidence.
Step One
Call (07) 5651 5111 now and discuss your situation with our workers compensation lawyers. Your initial consultation is free, with no obligation.
Step Two
We review how and where the injury occurred, then map the claim pathways available to you and explain how no win, no fee works across them. You will know exactly where you stand before any work begins.
Step Three
We manage each applicable claim together, coordinate the medical evidence, and handle insurer and fund correspondence, keeping you informed until your matter is fully resolved.
Call us now (07) 5651 5111 or complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.
All enquiries are handled with care and discretion.
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Time limits for making a claim will depend on the type of workplace injury you have experienced.
WorkCover: Generally 6 months from when you first see a doctor about the injury of illness
CTP: A Notice of Accident Claim must generally be given to the CTP insurer within 9 months of the injury occurring. If the vehicle was not identified, notice to the Nominal Defendant is required within 3 months.
Common law: Generally 3 years from when the injury or cause of action arose
Public liability: Generally 3 years, but a Part 1 notice may need to be given within 9 months after incident or when the injury was recognised
TPD Insurance / Superannuation: There is no set Queensland timeframe, you’ll need to check directly with your policyholder. Prompt action is a good idea.
You start by notifying your employer and lodging a statutory claim with WorkCover Queensland or your employer’s insurer. The insurer reviews the medical evidence and circumstances to decide whether to accept the claim. Depending on how the injury happened, you may also have a common law negligence claim, a CTP claim if injured while driving for work, a public liability claim if injured at another business or property, or a superannuation and TPD claim if the injury causes permanent incapacity. Strict time limits apply to each, so early legal advice is important.
Workers can claim for physical injuries, psychological injuries, aggravations of pre-existing conditions, and illnesses caused by work. Injuries from workplace accidents, toxic exposure, or gradual onset conditions can all be included. The claim must show the injury is work-related and either required medical treatment or resulted in lost wages. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may come through the statutory scheme, public liability insurance, a superannuation fund, or a combination of these.
In some cases, yes. This will depend on the type of injury, how serious it is, where you were when your injury occurred and how it occurred. You can view our graph on the page for an idea of how different claims may overlap.
Insurers usually require a Work Capacity Certificate, detailed medical evidence, an incident report, and payslips showing lost income. Evidence of how the injury occurred, your need for medical treatment, and the impact on your ability to work is essential. For common law or TPD claims, additional specialist medical reports and vocational assessments are often needed. We coordinate this material as part of running the claim.
In some cases, yes. Journey claims can be available under WorkCover, and motor vehicle accidents while commuting may be covered by a CTP claim. The right pathway depends on the circumstances, including whether you were travelling as part of your duties or simply to or from work. Our Gold Coast workers’ compensation lawyers can assess which scheme applies to your situation.
Timeframes vary. Some claims resolve in weeks, others take many months, particularly where the injuries are serious, multiple claim types apply, or further medical assessment is required. Longer processes often involve higher legal costs, but they may produce outcomes that better reflect future medical and income loss. We give you a realistic timeline at the outset.
We do not charge uplift fees. Under Queensland law, personal injury firms can add up to 25 percent to their professional fees when a case succeeds, but we have chosen not to apply this uplift so pricing stays transparent and predictable. Queensland legislation also caps professional fees at 50 percent maximum of the client’s net settlement, after statutory refunds and disbursements. We cap our professional fees at 35 percent of the net settlement, well below the legal maximum, so clients keep more of what they are awarded.
It depends on the type of claim you are making. You can make a claim without a lawyer, but it’s a good idea to get some advice around your options, rights and potential entitlements as early as possible, and before signing anything. A workers compensation lawyer can be particularly helpful if your claim is complex, you have had a claim rejected or disputed, your injury is serious or has lasting impacts, or if you are considering a common law or public liability claim. They can also give you a good idea on the value of your claim, help you look at factors like negligence and responsibility and manage insurer negotiations on your behalf.
Questions about your rights or possible entitlements?
Howard is happy to provide clear answers with no charge and no obligation.
