We’re locals.
Our Central Coast office is in Erina. We’re easy to get to. We’re not a multinational firm with a satellite office here – your case is handled by lawyers who live in this community.
Injured at work? You may be entitled to compensation. A no win, no fee lawyer can navigate the claims system on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery and still get the compensation you deserve. The negotiations typically take place with your employer’s insurer with the aim to ensure your claim is not rejected or under-compensated, but instead processed fairly to achieve the maximum compensation possible.
Whitelaw McDonald has been representing injured workers across Central Coast and the Hunter for over 40 years. We’re not a national call centre – we’ve built our name on looking after local workers, tradies, nurses, and mining families when they needed it most. If you’d like free legal advice before you take the next step, are halfway through a claim and want a second opinion, have a question, or just want to check if you have a claim, feel free to get in touch with our team.
At Whitelaw McDonald, we believe everyone deserves to know where they stand. Have a quick confidential, no-obligation chat with our legal team at no cost.
There is no payment or commitment needed to speak with our experts.

If you’ve been injured at work in NSW, you may be entitled to:
Compensation isn’t limited to physical injuries. Psychological injuries – including those caused by workplace bullying, harassment, or a traumatic incident at work – are also covered under the NSW scheme, and we regularly act for clients in this area.
Fill out a form, call our office or fill out our free claim check – it takes a few minutes and there’s no cost or obligation.
We’ll arrange an obligation-free consultation with one of our compensation lawyers to understand your situation and explain your options clearly.
If you decide to proceed, your lawyer will manage your claim from start to finish – dealing with insurers, gathering evidence, and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Our Central Coast office is in Erina. We’re easy to get to. We’re not a multinational firm with a satellite office here – your case is handled by lawyers who live in this community.
Ross Whitelaw and John McDonald founded this firm in 1987. Since then, our team has recovered tens of millions of dollars for local workers and their families. Our team has decades of experience in workers compensation and coal mining injury claims, spanning thousands of clients from all walks of life.
We have strong ties with unions, serving as a referral partner of choice. We’re proud to say that many of our clients come to us on recommendation from their union, workmates, or family and friends.
You don’t pay us unless we win your claim. In many disputed matters – such as challenging an insurer’s decision – legal costs can also be funded through the Independent Review Office’s ILARS scheme for workers compensation, so there’s often no out-of-pocket cost to you even when a dispute arises. We’ll explain exactly what funding may be available for your specific situation.
Before anything else, we’ll sit down with you – in person, over the phone, or at your home or hospital bed if that’s easier – and talk honestly about whether you have a claim, and what your options are. We explain the process so you understand what is involved in making a claim. No pressure, no charge.
A workplace injury doesn’t just affect your legal position – it affects your whole life. We help clients arrange transport to appointments, coordinate medical assessments, and liaise directly with your treating doctors so you’re not left chasing paperwork on top of everything else.
The vast majority of workers compensation matters are settled through negotiation with the insurer, or resolved at conciliation through the Personal Injury Commission – not in a courtroom. We prepare every case as if it might go the distance, which is exactly why most don’t need to.
Most people injured while performing work duties in NSW are covered, including:
If you’re not sure whether you’re covered, that’s exactly what your free case assessment with one of our lawyers is for – we’ll tell you plainly, one way or the other.

Significant reforms to the NSW workers compensation scheme commenced on 1 July 2026, and they materially affect how long weekly payments last and when workers can access lump sum compensation for permanent impairment – particularly for psychological injuries.
What this means in practice is simple: getting legal representation early is more important than ever. These thresholds affect exactly when and how your whole person impairment assessment is arranged, and that timing can significantly change what you’re entitled to. Whether your injury happened before or after 1 July 2026, our team can help you navigate the system.
It’s common for insurers to dispute part or all of a claim. This includes weekly payment amounts, whether an injury is work-related, or the degree of permanent impairment. If this happens to you:
We manage this entire process for our clients, which can otherwise be stressful and time-consuming. Knowing your legal position helps ensure a favourable outcome is met. Most people never have to deal with an insurer directly once we’re on the case.

Associate Director – Accredited Specialist Personal Injury

Senior Associate – Personal Injury Law
The Hunter has the largest coal mining workforce in NSW, and mining injury claims carry their own rules, risk factors, and industry-specific schemes on top of the general workers compensation framework. With 45 years’ in law, Whitelaw McDonald’s Stuart Barnett is one of the most experienced lawyers in coal mine compensation law in NSW and has spent decades specifically in this space – including underground and open cut claims, dust disease exposure, and hearing loss claims common in mining roles. Similarly, Laura Barnett has over a decade in personal injury law predominantly in the coal mine space, regularly appearing before the District Court and also appearing in the Supreme Court in coal mine common law and third party common law claims.
If you or a family member works in the mining industry, read more about our coal mining injury claims here.
“Had a great experience with Matt working through my case with a fantastic result. Would definitely recommend him if you need a lawyer after being injured at work.”
Ben L., workers compensation claim
“I would like to sincerely thank you for all the hard work you put into my compensation claim. With your professional, knowledgeable, caring and ability to explain, whilst keeping me calm has been outstanding. You are a credit to your profession. It has been an absolute pleasure to communicate with both John and Craig. I am now relieved that this is behind me and can really concentrate on getting myself fully recovered. Once again, many thanks.”
John S., workers compensation claim
“Thank you to Whitelaw McDonald for successfully winning my workers compensation case. Highly recommend Stuart Barnett who was extremely professional and knowledgeable and his assistant Terissa who was there from the beginning . She was always available and extremely helpful throughout the process.”
Glenn B., workers compensation claim
Our Central Coast office is located at Ste 3/2 Ilya Ave, Erina New South Wales 2250, directly opposite Westfield Kotara, so we’re easy to find. We’re close to public transport, and there is plenty of parking nearby.
We have a wheelchair-accessible entrance including a ramp and an elevator. In addition, if you can’t come to us, we also offer home and hospital visits.
You don’t need to have all the answers before you call us. Whether you’re not sure if you have a claim, you’re partway through a claim already and want a second opinion, or your claim has been disputed, get in touch for a free, no-obligation conversation.

Generally, yes – casual employees are covered in the same way as full-time and part-time workers, provided your work meets certain criteria around regularity. Some contractors are also covered if they’re legally considered “workers” rather than genuinely independent operators. It’s worth getting this checked properly, as the distinction can be more complicated than it sounds.
To make a workers compensation claim in NSW, follow these steps:
You will then find out whether your claim is successful and either start receiving benefits or can appeal the decision if it is denied. Your legal team will advise you the best way to do this. Contact us for an obligation-free consultation.
It depends on your injury, your income before the injury, and how it affects your ability to work now and in the future. This can include weekly payments, medical expenses, and – for more serious or permanent injuries – a lump sum payment or a work injury damages claim. We can give you a realistic picture of your position after an initial assessment.
If your employer disputes your workers compensation claim their insurer they will let you know in writing, the reasons why and what to do next. It is best to have specialist lawyers to support you through this process and give you the best chance possible for a successful outcome.
If the internal review does not resolve the dispute, you can apply for conciliation through the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) Conciliation.
If conciliation does not lead to an agreement, you may proceed to a formal arbitration hearing before a Workers Compensation Commission arbitrator.
If there is still dissatisfaction on behalf of you or the employer’s insurer, your case may go to a higher court, such as the District Court of New South Wales.
Our specialist lawyers work with you every step of the way and will prepare you for all scenarios, so contact us for an obligation-free consultation.
If you are injured working from home you may be eligible for workers compensation for injuries or illnesses that arise out of or in the course of your employment, subject to certain conditions and limitations.
You may be entitled to claim if you are injured performing work-related duties, regardless of whether you are working from home or at a traditional workplace. It must have arisen out of or in the course of your employment.
A workers compensation claim may also cover injuries or illnesses that result from hazards or risks associated with your home-based work environment, such as ergonomic issues, slips, trips, and falls or accidents while using work equipment.
Like any claim, it is important to report the incident to your employer as soon as possible and seek any medical attention.
You should notify your employer as soon as possible – there’s no fixed number of days, but earlier is always better. You then generally need to lodge your claim with the insurer within 6 months of the injury or diagnosis. Don’t wait – delays can complicate your claim, even if you ultimately still have a case.
You have the right to have the insurer’s decision reviewed, first through internal review, then through the Independent Review Office (IRO) if needed, and ultimately the Personal Injury Commission. We handle disputes for clients regularly and can take this over for you at any stage.
We act on a No Win, No Fee basis. In many disputed matters – such as challenging a decision by your insurer – legal costs can also be funded through the Independent Review Office’s ILARS scheme, provided your case meets their funding criteria. We’ll explain exactly what funding may apply to your situation during your free initial consultation.
Yes. Psychological injuries arising from workplace bullying, harassment, or a traumatic work event are covered under NSW workers compensation law, though recent legislative changes (from 1 July 2026) have altered the whole person impairment thresholds for lump sum compensation in this category. We can talk you through what this means for your specific situation.
In some circumstances, journey claims are covered under NSW workers compensation. Whether your situation qualifies depends on the specifics of your trip and the circumstances of the injury – this is one we’d need to talk through with you directly.
It varies significantly depending on the complexity of your injury and whether the insurer disputes any part of your claim. Many claims are resolved through negotiation within months; more complex or disputed matters, particularly those involving permanent impairment or work injury damages, can take longer. Most matters are resolved without ever going to court.
If you have been injured or become unwell due to your work, you may be eligible for workers compensation benefits.
If you have been injured in an underground or open cut mine, you may be eligible for workers compensation benefits.
Our team of highly specialised experts will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.