For some time it has been widely recognised that workers' compensation claims for stress related illness have been increasing in incidence and cost.
On completion of the Quality of Working Life project Comcare endorsed a need for effective claims management and return to work strategies that specifically address the rising incidence and cost of stress related compensation claims.
Comcare's investigation strategy for stress-related claims has been further developed in response to the issues identified by the project. This overview documents the investigation process refined during a pilot in the Queensland office of Comcare and now available for the claims management of stress-related claims.
The model is based on a philosophy of open communication and co-operation between all parties.