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Injury information hub

Common Injuries in NSW Injury Claims

This hub helps you match the injury evidence to the right NSW claim pathway. It does not diagnose injury, promise compensation or replace medical review. The useful question is usually how the injury happened, what records exist, and how symptoms affect treatment, work and daily life.

Ask which claim type may applyView claim process

Which injury claim type might apply in NSW?

The pathway depends on how the injury happened. A car accident may involve CTP, a workplace injury may involve workers compensation, a fall in a public place may involve public liability, and long-term work incapacity may raise TPD questions.

Do symptoms need medical review?

Yes. This site gives general information only. Symptoms, treatment needs and restrictions should be assessed by medical practitioners and recorded in treatment notes where possible.

Common injury guides

Different injuries can affect evidence in different ways

The injury label is only the start. Medical records, symptoms, work impact and the way the injury happened usually decide which evidence matters.

Person holding lower back, representing a back injury claim in NSW.Back injury claims NSWBack injury evidence across car accidents, work injury, slip and fall, public liability and TPD pathways.Learn morePerson touching neck, representing a neck injury claim in NSW.Neck injury claims NSWNeck injury treatment records, restrictions and claim pathway issues in NSW.Learn morePerson holding shoulder, representing a shoulder injury claim in NSW.Shoulder injury claims NSWShoulder injury evidence for work duties, road accidents, falls and daily activity restrictions.Learn morePerson holding knee, representing a knee injury claim in NSW.Knee injury claims NSWKnee injury records, mobility limits, work impact and common insurer questions.Learn morePerson with head discomfort, representing a head injury or concussion claim in NSW.Head injury and concussion claims NSWCareful information about head injury and concussion records after accidents and incidents.Learn moreStressed worker at desk, representing psychological injury claim evidence in NSW.Psychological injury claims NSWPsychological injury evidence, treatment history, work impact and possible claim pathways.Learn morePerson experiencing ongoing pain, representing chronic pain claim evidence in NSW.Chronic pain injury claims NSWLong-term pain, function, treatment history, work capacity and TPD-related evidence.Learn morePerson with supported forearm, representing fracture injury claim evidence in NSW.Fracture injury claims NSWFracture records, treatment, recovery restrictions and claim assessment issues.Learn morePerson holding ankle sprain, representing soft tissue injury claim evidence in NSW.Soft tissue injury claims NSWSprain, strain and soft tissue injury evidence after road, work and public place incidents.Learn more

Not sure what injury claim type applies?

Start with what happened, not just the diagnosis.

A back, neck, knee or psychological injury may sit in a different claim pathway depending on whether it came from a road accident, work incident, public place injury or long-term capacity issue.

Ask which claim type may apply

Permanent impairment assessment

How permanent impairment is assessed for NSW injury claims generally

Permanent impairment is not the same as pain, diagnosis, disability or compensation value. In NSW workers compensation it is a medical assessment performed at MMI under the NSW Guidelines, using AMA5 only where adopted and not modified.

What injuries can happen to this body part?

  • Injuries, disease processes or post-treatment impairment affecting NSW injury claims generally
  • Stable residual findings after treatment, surgery or rehabilitation
  • Work-related aggravation, exposure or complication where causation is medically supported

Symptoms and findings that matter

  • Whether the condition has reached maximum medical improvement
  • The body system and Guideline chapter that applies
  • Objective clinical findings and reliable measurements
  • Whether NSW modifies or replaces the AMA5 method
  • Whether multiple methods exist and which valid method should be used

What investigations are usually relevant?

  • Treating specialist report and final impairment assessment at maximum medical improvement
  • Imaging, pathology, audiology, ophthalmology, respiratory, nerve or functional testing that fits the body system
  • Operative reports, discharge summaries, rehabilitation records and objective clinical measurements where relevant

How WPI is assessed for this body part

  • Permanent impairment is not the same as pain, diagnosis, disability or compensation value. In NSW workers compensation it is a medical assessment performed at MMI under the NSW Guidelines, using AMA5 only where adopted and not modified.
  • Assessment source: NSW Guidelines Chapter 1 general principles and the relevant body-system chapter. AMA5 is used only where the NSW Guidelines adopt it and have not modified or replaced the method.
  • The assessor should explain maximum medical improvement, the body-system chapter, the method selected, any NSW modification, and why the objective findings fit that method.

How movement affects the assessment

  • Range of movement may be relevant for some body areas, but the assessor must use the method required by the NSW Guidelines and AMA5 as adopted in NSW.
  • ROM measurements usually need consistency, appropriate effort and clinical reliability. A restricted movement alone does not answer causation or apportionment.

NSW permanent impairment principles

MMI firstAssessment should occur when the injury is stable and unlikely to change substantially in the next year.
NSW modifications prevailAMA5 is not used blindly. The NSW Guidelines prevail where they differ.
Pain chapter excludedAMA5 Chapter 18 is excluded in NSW workers compensation.
Secondary psychological impairment excludedA secondary psychological condition arising from another work injury is not assessed for permanent impairment.

Practical WPI examples

  • A disc bulge on MRI does not automatically mean ratable spine impairment.
  • A knee reconstruction may or may not produce WPI depending on the residual clinical result at MMI.
  • Secondary depression after a physical injury can matter for treatment and capacity, but is not assessed as secondary psychiatric WPI in NSW workers compensation.

Evidence checklist

  • A clear diagnosis and the body area being assessed
  • Records showing the condition has reached maximum medical improvement, if that is the issue
  • Specialist reports, imaging reports and treating notes relied on by the assessor
  • Objective findings on examination, not only symptoms described by the injured person
  • A work and treatment chronology explaining the injury, treatment, surgery and recovery path
  • Any previous injury, degeneration, congenital issue or non-work cause that needs apportionment considered
  • Body-area-specific specialist reports and objective testing

What usually does not increase WPI

  • Assuming a scan result automatically gives a WPI percentage
  • Confusing pain, disability or inability to work with permanent impairment
  • Ignoring maximum medical improvement before arranging an assessment
  • Using an AMA5 table without checking whether the NSW Guidelines modify or replace it
  • Double counting the same impairment through two methods when the Guidelines require one method

Assessment source

Assessment source: Assessment source: NSW Guidelines Chapter 1 general principles and the relevant body-system chapter. AMA5 is used only where the NSW Guidelines adopt it and have not modified or replaced the method.

This section is source-backed general information. It is not a WPI assessment and is not legal advice.

Related injury and claim pages

Need a practical claim check?

If an impairment percentage, medical assessment or insurer decision is affecting your NSW injury claim, send the decision or report for a practical review. This is general information only and does not guarantee any result.

Request a free claim check

Use the injury pages as evidence guides, not medical advice

Each injury page explains practical records that may matter: symptoms reported to treating practitioners, treatment history, incident records, work impact, daily activity restrictions, insurer letters and pathway-specific issues.

Permanent impairment assessment depends on the body area

If a workers compensation claim reaches a WPI assessment stage, the diagnosis is only the starting point. The assessor should identify the body-system chapter, objective findings, maximum medical improvement, any NSW modification and whether the same impairment is being counted twice.

  • Spine pages explain DRE categories, radiculopathy, surgery modifiers and why scan findings alone are not enough
  • Upper limb pages explain shoulder, hand, wrist, elbow, tendon and nerve evidence
  • Lower limb pages explain knee, hip, ankle, foot, gait and joint replacement issues
  • Body-system pages explain hearing, vision, respiratory, neurological, skin and other source-specific assessments

Common accident contexts

The same injury can involve different claim systems. The event usually decides the starting pathway, while the medical and practical evidence explains impact.

  • Car accident and NSW CTP claims
  • Work injury and workers compensation claims
  • Slip, fall and public liability claims
  • Public place, rental property and private premises incidents
  • TPD claims through super where long-term work capacity is affected

Not sure what injury claim type applies?

Start with the facts: where the injury happened, when symptoms were first recorded, what treatment has occurred, whether work or daily activity changed, and what insurer or employer correspondence exists.

Discuss which claim type may apply

Documents and records

Injury evidence to organise early

The useful records depend on how the injury happened, when symptoms were recorded and how treatment or work capacity changed.

  • Date, location and short description of the injury event
  • Medical certificates, reports, scans, treatment records or hospital documents
  • Employer, insurer, police, incident or venue records where relevant
  • Photos, witness details, dashcam or other supporting material if available
  • Income, superannuation, work capacity or leave records where relevant
  • Letters, emails, claim numbers and decisions already received

Next reading

Related injury and claim pathways

Back injury claims NSWBack injury evidence across car accidents, work injury, slip and fall, public liability and TPD pathways.Neck injury claims NSWNeck injury treatment records, restrictions and claim pathway issues in NSW.Shoulder injury claims NSWShoulder injury evidence for work duties, road accidents, falls and daily activity restrictions.Knee injury claims NSWKnee injury records, mobility limits, work impact and common insurer questions.Head injury and concussion claims NSWCareful information about head injury and concussion records after accidents and incidents.Psychological injury claims NSWPsychological injury evidence, treatment history, work impact and possible claim pathways.Chronic pain injury claims NSWLong-term pain, function, treatment history, work capacity and TPD-related evidence.Fracture injury claims NSWFracture records, treatment, recovery restrictions and claim assessment issues.Soft tissue injury claims NSWSprain, strain and soft tissue injury evidence after road, work and public place incidents.Motor vehicle accident claims NSWCTP, treatment, income loss and insurer issues after NSW road accidents.Work injury claims NSWWorkers compensation, weekly payments, treatment and work capacity issues.Public liability claims NSWInjuries in public places, private premises and non-work settings.Medical negligence claims NSWCareful information about treatment errors, delayed diagnosis, causation and medical evidence.Superannuation TPD claimsPolicy wording, medical evidence and work history for TPD insurance claims.Claim processHow to organise evidence and next steps.Time limitsWhy dates and decision letters should be checked early.Contact NSW Injury ClaimsAsk which claim type may apply.Spine Permanent Impairment Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Cervical Spine WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Thoracic Spine WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Lumbar Spine WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Disc Bulge and Disc Prolapse WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Radiculopathy WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Spinal Fusion WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Laminectomy and Discectomy WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Vertebral Fracture WPI Assessment NSWSpine permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Coccyx Injury WPI Assessment NSWSpine and pelvis permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Pelvic Fracture WPI Assessment NSWSpine and pelvis permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Sacroiliac Joint WPI Assessment NSWSpine and pelvis permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Spinal Cord Injury WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Upper Limb WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Shoulder WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Rotator Cuff WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Frozen Shoulder WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Shoulder Impingement WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Shoulder Dislocation and Instability WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.AC Joint and Clavicle WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Biceps Tendon WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Elbow WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Epicondylitis WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Wrist WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Elbow, Wrist and Hand WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Hand and Finger WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Carpal Tunnel and Nerve Injury WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Upper Limb Nerve Injury WPI Assessment NSWUpper limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Upper Limb CRPS WPI Assessment NSWPain and CRPS permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.CRPS WPI Assessment NSWPain and CRPS permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Lower Limb WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Hip WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Knee WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Ankle and Foot WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Hip Replacement WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Knee Replacement WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Patello-Femoral WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Meniscus WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Knee Ligament WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Tibial Plateau Fracture WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Ankle WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Ankle Replacement WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Foot WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Plantar Fasciitis WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Leg Length Discrepancy WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Lower Limb Nerve Injury WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Gait Derangement WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Joint Replacement WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Meniscus and Ligament WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Arthritis and Cartilage Loss WPI Assessment NSWLower limb permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Neurological Impairment WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Traumatic Brain Injury WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Concussion and Post-Concussion WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Peripheral Nerve Injury WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Nerve Damage WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Bladder, Bowel and Sexual Function Neuro WPI Assessment NSWNeurological permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Hearing Loss WPI Assessment NSWHearing and vision permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Tinnitus WPI Assessment NSWHearing and vision permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Vision Impairment WPI Assessment NSWHearing and vision permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Respiratory Impairment WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Skin and Scarring WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Burns WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Psychological Injury WPI Assessment NSWPsychological injury permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Digestive System WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Urinary and Reproductive System WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Cardiovascular System WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Endocrine System WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.Digestive, Urinary, Cardiovascular and Endocrine WPI Assessment NSWOther body systems permanent impairment assessment guide with NSW Guideline source notes.NSW Injury Claim Evidence, Documents and TemplatesThis library helps injured people organise incident, medical, income, correspondence and daily-impact records into a clear working file, without presenting any checklist or template as an official form.NSW Injury Claims by LocationNSW Injury Claims accepts enquiries from across NSW. The claim pathway depends on how the injury happened, while phone, online and electronic document handling can make an initial enquiry possible without creating a false impression of premises in every region.Permanent Impairment General Guide NSWThis guide explains why impairment assessments arise, what information an assessor may need and how the concept differs from work capacity and treatment. Scheme-specific thresholds and methods require current, individual checking.Which Injury Claim Applies to Me?This decision guide is for people who know they have an injury problem but do not yet know whether to start with CTP, workers compensation, public liability, medical negligence or TPD.

Common questions

Injury evidence questions

Short general answers only. The right next step depends on the facts, dates and documents.

Can I claim for a back injury after a car accident?

A car accident may raise a CTP pathway, but it depends on accident facts, medical evidence, symptoms, insurer position and dates. Get medical review and keep treatment records.

Can I claim for psychological injury at work?

A psychological injury at work may raise a workers compensation issue, depending on the facts, work history, medical evidence and insurer position. It should not be dismissed just because it is not visible.

Can the same injury involve more than one claim pathway?

Yes. For example, long-term symptoms after a work injury or road accident may also raise TPD questions through super. The pathways should be separated carefully.

Injury pathway enquiry

Not sure which claim type matches the injury?

Start with how the injury happened, what medical records exist and how work or daily activity has changed. The same injury can sit in different pathways.

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