By Francisco Silva -
In the public debate over the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme, the President of the Law Society of NSW, Jennifer Ball, has cautioned against the targeting of lawyers..
“The present workers compensation scheme is so complex that without legal assistance, the majority of injured workers would not be able to get the support they need to continue to recover from or live with the lifelong impairment to their physical and/or psychological health,” said Ball.
“Attempts to shift the focus in the debate on the workers compensation scheme away from fair and just reforms, do nothing to assist injured workers who are some of the most vulnerable members of the community.”
A recent report in the media claimed rising legal costs in NSW in worker compensation payouts were coming at the taxpayer’s expense.
Ball explained how a solicitor’s duty is to their client and helping them achieve what they are entitled to, and that solicitors are “bound by ethical duties that prohibit the coaching of clients.”
“The practice of law is closely regulated, including in relation to costs, and the Law Society notes that there are robust mechanisms in place to address professional misconduct.”
Ball also reiterated that costs for representing injured workers are regulated, and all fees and disbursements in these matters are managed by the Independent Review Office.
Ball urged the Government to recognise legal practitioners as important elements in ensuring the workers compensation system is fair and sustainable.
