When Workers’ Compensation Claims Fall Short: MacDonald v Workers’ Compensation Regulator
In this revealing episode of P.I. Case Note, Michelle Wright dissects the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission decision in MacDonald v Workers’ Compensation Regulator [2025] QIRC 149, which serves as a cautionary tale about the critical importance of contemporaneous medical records in workplace injury claims. While Mr. MacDonald, a tanker driver, clearly fell from his truck in July 2019, his claim for permanent impairment assessment under section 132A of the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld) ultimately failed for all but one minor injury due to insufficient medical documentation linking his injuries to the workplace incident.
The Commission’s meticulous analysis demonstrates how gaps in medical records can doom even legitimate workplace injury claims. Despite Mr. MacDonald claiming injuries to his head, neck, back, both shoulders, and psychiatric harm, only a right shoulder injury was supported by contemporaneous evidence—and even that had resolved within weeks. The case underscores that injured workers must seek immediate medical attention and ensure their treating doctors properly document all injuries and their connection to the workplace incident, as retrospective medical opinions based on incomplete histories carry little weight.
Listen for Michelle Wright’s detailed breakdown of this important workers’ compensation decision and its lessons for injured workers. If you’ve been injured at work and need experienced legal guidance to navigate Queensland’s complex workers’ compensation system, the team at accident legal understands what it takes to build a strong claim from day one. Contact us for a free consultation to ensure your workplace injury is properly documented and you receive the compensation you deserve.