Lump sum payments for latent onset injuries

Latent onset injuries

If you’ve developed an injury or illness over time because of your work, you may be able to get a lump sum payment. 

These are called ‘latent onset’ injuries, because they take time to appear. They can develop when you’re exposed to harmful dust, chemicals or other hazards at work.

A lump sum is a one-off payment made instead of smaller payments over time.

Payments for pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis is a type of latent onset injury.

If you’ve been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis and it isn’t terminal, you may be able to get a lump sum payment.

We’ll speak to you about this after you’ve been assessed for permanent impairment.

Pneumoconiosis includes:

• coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung)
• mixed dust pneumoconiosis
• silicosis
• progressive massive fibrosis
• asbestosis.

Any payment depends on your pneumoconiosis score and your age when you made your claim.  

This score comes from an International Labour Organization (ILO) chest X‑ray, which shows how much damage dust has caused to your lungs.

After your ILO assessment

After your ILO chest X-ray, we’ll talk with you about your pneumoconiosis score and any potential lump sum payment.

We’ll also explain the next steps, including what happens if you receive a payment. 

If your pneumoconiosis gets worse

You can talk to us about another ILO chest X-ray if your doctor thinks your condition is worse.  

If your pneumoconiosis progresses to a terminal condition, you may be able to get a lump sum payment for terminal injury. Learn more in the section below. 

Any lump sums you’ve already been paid will be deducted from any terminal payment. 

Payments for latent onset terminal injuries

A terminal injury is a condition that is expected to end a person’s life within 5 years of diagnosis.

Examples include:  

• skin cancer
• diseases caused by asbestos
• lung diseases caused by mine dust
• firefighter’s cancers
• silicosis from manufactured stone.

If you’re diagnosed with a terminal condition

You may be able to get a lump sum payment.

The Workers’ Compensation Regulatory Services sets the yearly lump sum payment amounts for terminal conditions. 

Your payment will be reduced by any amounts you’ve already been paid, such as:  

• weekly benefits
• other lump sums
• redemption payments
• damages.

It may also be reduced if you’re over the age of 70.  

After you accept the lump sum payment

Once you get a lump sum payment for your terminal condition, your claim will close.

You will not receive any more benefits.  

You will need to pay for any future treatment yourself.

Family dependents

If you’re diagnosed with a terminal injury and your family is dependent on your income, you may be entitled to more compensation.  

This may be paid to you or your dependents.

Family members can include:  

• your spouse
• your parent, grandparent or step-parent
• your child, grandchild or step-child
• your brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister
• a person that you are acting as the parent to
• a person who acts as a parent to you.