How Northern Territory values an injury
There is no single payout figure for an injury. In Northern Territory the amount depends first on which scheme applies, because each sets its own rules for what can be claimed and how pain and suffering is scored.
Road accidents
There is no lump sum for pain and suffering. Benefits cover treatment, rehabilitation, loss of earning capacity, attendant care and a permanent impairment benefit assessed on whole-person impairment.
Work injuries
No-fault benefits: weekly payments at 100% of normal weekly earnings for 26 weeks then 75%, medical and rehabilitation expenses, and a lump sum for permanent impairment of 5% or more. Common law damages claims against employers are not available in the NT; the statutory scheme is the only route.
Public liability and medical negligence
Negligence must be proved. Non-economic loss needs at least 5% whole-person impairment and is capped at an indexed amount. The limitation period is 3 years.
The parts of a payout
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. This is what the calculator above estimates, and it is the part most affected by state thresholds and scales.
- Past and future economic loss: lost wages so far, reduced earning capacity for the rest of your working life, and lost superannuation. For serious injuries this is usually the largest component and can run to seven figures.
- Treatment, care and equipment: past and future medical costs, rehabilitation, aids, home and vehicle modifications, and the value of care from family.
What moves the number
Your age and occupation, because future income loss is calculated to retirement. Whether the injury is permanent and how it scores under the state’s impairment or injury scale. Any contribution you made to the accident, which reduces damages proportionally. And the quality of the medical evidence: a claim settles on what can be proved, not what happened.
Time limits
Report the crash to police and lodge the MAC claim with TIO as soon as possible, within 6 months. Disputes go to internal review and then the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Work injury claims have their own lodgement step: Notify your employer and lodge the claim form within 6 months of the injury.