The Legal Light Justin Stack Move to increase threshold in NSW workers compensation bill defeated The NSW government has declared its battle to tighten access to workers compensation is over, after a core element was defeated in parliament. For six months the government tried to get a bill passed designed to lower the cost of the scheme by raising the "whole person impairment" threshold. The most contentious aspect was to make it far more difficult for people suffering psychological injuries from work to get lifetime payments. The government's bill raised the bar used to determine eligibility for psychological injury from 15 per cent impairment to 31 per cent. This met strident opposition from medical experts, psychiatrists, unions and legal experts, including the experienced personal injury lawyers at Stacks Law Firm. Some predicted more suicides. The higher threshold would have made it almost impossible to make a claim for workplace psychological injury. Stacks managing director Justin Stack said the increased threshold would have been impossible to meet, except in the most extreme cases. "Only those who were so psychologically impaired that they were unable to function in society or care for themselves could have qualified under the government's planned changes," Mr Stack said. "It would have had a devastating impact on workers who suffer psychological injury resulting from bullying, harassment, prejudice, unfair treatment or a traumatic experience. "It is already extremely hard to reach the 15 per cent threshold. Every person's reaction to workplace trauma is different, and damage to mental health can show up in many forms." After a mammoth all-night debate in the Legislative Council, where the coalition, Greens, minor parties and independents opposed the Bill, the government admitted it could not get it passed and premier Chris Minns conceded defeat. He warned business premiums could now rise. Some parts of the legislation did pass, but Mr Stack said it was great news it passed without the increase to the threshold. "The government should rethink how to tackle the problem of cost of the workers compensation scheme, without it harming the workers who are suffering from what happened at their workplace. "Personal injury lawyers at Stacks are helping hundreds of people suffering from workplace injury or psychological harm. We see the pain and suffering they go through. We see the financial hardship and the impact it has on their life and the lives of their loved ones. "It is always a battle with the workers comp system to help them. The politicians should come out with us as we meet and help these badly injured workers to understand what is really going on." STACKS LAW FIRM Taylor Kennedy Lawyer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life The Legal Light Justin Stack Move to increase threshold in NSW workers compensation bill defeated The NSW government has declared its battle to tighten access to workers compensation is over , after a core element was defeated in parliament . For six months the government tried to get a bill passed designed to lower the cost of the scheme by raising the " whole person impairment " threshold . The most contentious aspect was to make it far more difficult for people suffering psychological injuries from work to get lifetime payments . The government's bill raised the bar used to determine eligibility for psychological injury from 15 per cent impairment to 31 per cent . This met strident opposition from medical experts , psychiatrists , unions and legal experts , including the experienced personal injury lawyers at Stacks Law Firm . Some predicted more suicides . The higher threshold would have made it almost impossible to make a claim for workplace psychological injury . Stacks managing director Justin Stack said the increased threshold would have been impossible to meet , except in the most extreme cases . " Only those who were so psychologically impaired that they were unable to function in society or care for themselves could have qualified under the government's planned changes , " Mr Stack said . " It would have had a devastating impact on workers who suffer psychological injury resulting from bullying , harassment , prejudice , unfair treatment or a traumatic experience . " It is already extremely hard to reach the 15 per cent threshold . Every person's reaction to workplace trauma is different , and damage to mental health can show up in many forms . " After a mammoth all - night debate in the Legislative Council , where the coalition , Greens , minor parties and independents opposed the Bill , the government admitted it could not get it passed and premier Chris Minns conceded defeat . He warned business premiums could now rise . Some parts of the legislation did pass , but Mr Stack said it was great news it passed without the increase to the threshold . " The government should rethink how to tackle the problem of cost of the workers compensation scheme , without it harming the workers who are suffering from what happened at their workplace . " Personal injury lawyers at Stacks are helping hundreds of people suffering from workplace injury or psychological harm . We see the pain and suffering they go through . We see the financial hardship and the impact it has on their life and the lives of their loved ones . " It is always a battle with the workers comp system to help them . The politicians should come out with us as we meet and help these badly injured workers to understand what is really going on . " STACKS LAW FIRM Taylor Kennedy Lawyer 02 6592 6592 taree.stacklaw.com.au Partners in life