The NSW Government has announced the establishment of a new Personal Injury Commission (PIC). The June announcement reveals the NSW government has introduced a bill designed to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ to simplify the process for personal injury compensation claims for injured road users and workers seeking compensation.
According to the Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello, the PIC will consolidate the State Insurance Regulatory (SIRA) and workers compensation Commission’s (WCC) dispute resolution services into one independent tribunal, ultimately creating a better claimant experience.
Mr Dominello explained the reforms could benefit up to 17,000 injury compensation claims lodged annually by individuals injured on the road or at work.
“We have consulted widely with scheme providers and industry stakeholders to ensure the customer is at the centre of the process. Mr Dominello said.
“CTP disputes are currently managed by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority but will now be consolidated into a single tribunal by expanding the workers compensation Commission. Two divisions will be created, with an independent judicial head, enabling the retention of subject matter expertise and personnel in the new body.”
To ensure there’s minimal impact on business continuity and insurance premiums there is no change to the compensation, benefits and entitlements in original workers compensation and CTP schemes included in the reforms.
Under the new bill the functions of the SIRA”s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS), the Motor Accidents Claims Assessment (CARS), the Motor Accidents Medical Assessment Service (MAS) and the WCC will be transferred to the Personal Injury Commission.