The IRO assists lawyers for injured workers affected by the 2012 NSW workers compensation scheme reforms* by providing funding of legal costs under the Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service (ILARS).
Grants of funding are available to lawyers who are approved by the Independent Review Officer (Approved Lawyers).
*Exempt workers
Workers exempt from the 2012 reforms include police officers, firefighters, paramedics, coal miners and some emergency service workers. These workers are entitled to have their legal costs paid by the insurer in the event of successful resolution of their claim.
How to become an IRO Approved Lawyer
The IRO has published Guidelines, which set out how to become an IRO Approved Lawyer:
- mandatory requirements,
- general requirements, and
- the application process
Applications are made by completion of the Application and Agreement to be an IRO Approved Lawyer.
Injured workers have a choice of their own lawyer providing that lawyer is Approved by WIRO. This website contains details of all Approved Lawyers here.
Applying for Grants of Funding
Approved Lawyers can apply for a grant of funding from ILARS to enable injured workers to access paid independent legal advice and assistance to learn about their rights and entitlements to compensation and to pursue resolution of disputes with insurers and employers.
The use of data
The IRO utilises data collected in ILARS to assist Lawyers in better understanding their practice and their efficiency compared with other Lawyers in their region or across the whole system.
The IRO can assist law practices to identify opportunities to improve their efficiency and performance, which may result in a speedier resolution of their clients’ claims.
Contact should be made with the Director ILARS to arrange a Law Practice Performance discussion with data relevant to the Law Practice.
*Exempt workers
The reforms exempt;
- police officers,
- firefighters,
- paramedics,
- coal miners and
- emergency service workers
These workers are entitled to have their legal costs paid by the insurer in the event of successful resolution of their claim.