ACCIDENT COMPENSATION ACT 1985 - SECT 85 Entitlement to damages outside Victoria

ACCIDENT COMPENSATION ACT 1985 - SECT 85

S. 85(1) amended by Nos 83/1987

s. 37(3), 95/2003 s. 19(2)(a)(b).

    (1)     This section shall apply where an injury is caused to or suffered by a worker which gives the worker a right of action under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia) in circumstances which would otherwise have entitled the worker or the worker's dependants to compensation under this Act.

S. 85(2) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(3)(c)(d).

    (2)     Subject to subsection (3), if—

S. 85(2)(a) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(3)(a).

        (a)     damages has not been paid or recovered; and

S. 85(2)(b) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(3)(b).

        (b)     judgment for damages has not been given or entered—

in respect of the injury under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia), the worker or in the case of the death of the worker the worker's dependants shall be entitled to compensation under this Act as if there were no right of action under the law of any place outside Victoria.

S. 85(3) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(4)(a)(b).

    (3)     A person who has a right of action in respect of an injury under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia) shall not be entitled to claim compensation in respect of the injury under this Act if in respect of the injury under the law of any place outside Victoria—

S. 85(3)(a) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(4)(c).

        (a)     the person has been paid or recovered any amount of damages;

S. 85(3)(b) substituted by No. 95/2003 s. 19(4)(d).

        (b)     judgment for damages has been given or entered;

        (c)     any payment into court has been accepted;

        (d)     there has been a settlement or compromise of any claim; or

S. 85(3)(e) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(4)(e).

        (e)     any action for damages is pending.

S. 85(4) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(5)(c).

    (4)     If—

S. 85(4)(a) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(5)(a).

        (a)     damages has been paid or recovered; or

S. 85(4)(b) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(5)(b).

        (b)     judgment for damages has been given or entered—

in respect of the injury under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia) the worker or in the case of the death of the worker the worker's dependants shall not be entitled to compensation under this Act.

S. 85(5) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(6).

    (5)     The worker or in the case of the death of the worker the worker's dependants shall not be entitled to compensation under this Act if a payment into court has been accepted by the worker or the worker's dependants in proceedings or a settlement or compromise of a claim has been made in respect of the injury under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia).

S. 85(6) amended by Nos 67/1992

s. 64(7)(a), 50/1993

s. 78(1)(h), 81/1998 s. 23(a), 95/2003 s. 19(7)(a).

    (6)     If a person—

        (a)     receives compensation under this Act in respect of any injury; and

S. 85(6)(b) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(7)(a)(b).

        (b)     subsequently obtains damages or an award of damages, accepts a payment into court or settles or compromises a claim in respect of the injury under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia)—

the Authority, employer or a self-insurer shall be entitled to recover from that person the amount of compensation paid under this Act or an amount equal to the damages or payment obtained or made, settled or compromised whichever is the lesser amount.

S. 85(7) amended by No. 50/1994

s. 35(1).

    (7)     Any dispute under subsection (6) shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

S. 85(8) amended by No. 95/2003 s. 19(8)(a)(b).

    (8)     Unless a worker produces satisfactory evidence to the contrary, any amount recovered or to be recovered by a worker under the law of any place outside Victoria (whether within or outside Australia) as damages in respect of an injury shall be presumed to be damages for the same injury in respect of which the worker claims compensation or a right of action under this Act.

S. 86 amended by Nos 67/1992

s. 13(1), 95/2003 s. 3(7)(a)–(c) (ILA s. 39B(1)).