Workers Compensation Insurance is a compulsory form of insurance for all businesses employing staff. It is required to ensure that all staff have some form of financial support and/or coverage if a workplace incident or injury occurs and it is the Insurance Companies or Government agencies (depending of the State or Territory), whom are required to proactively manage and/or monitor the laws and entitlements, which may include independent investigations, such as Factual/Circumstances, Surveillance, Desktop or Skip Trace Investigations.

Factual/Circumstance Investigations involve establishing the circumstances of the claim and may vary depending on the desired outcome such as:

• Obtaining the general facts of the claim
• Identification of the negligent party or 3rd party recovery
• General Work Injury Damages enquiries and gathering of processes
• Confirmation of financial records to confirm entitlements

The above outcomes are obtained via multiple techniques and/or methods, but generally will include organising and conducting formal statements from the injured employees and/or employer witnesses, gathering of policies and procedures, conducting or collecting video/photo evidence, worksite site visits/assessments or overall collection of supporting evidence in the attempt to clarify the client’s enquiries or concerns.

Once the evidence and/or supporting documentation is gathered it is then summarised within a formal report refencing to the evidence gathered within our investigation.

Surveillance Investigations are required in circumstances where the individuals may be exacerbating or exaggerating their symptoms, obtaining evidence to establish restrictions are consistent whilst outside of the workplace or conducting fraudulent activities.

ABi’s highly experienced and dedicated team of operatives are able to prepare, plan and execute any period of required surveillance depending on the client’s needs and desired outcome. This evidence is provided and summarised within a report, detailing our specific movements, still images/video and overall outcome and results

Desktop Investigations are generally utilised when clients require quick but specific outcome or are generally conducted when a short turnaround is required or for general online enquiries

• Telephone enquiries/interviews (simular to a factual investigation but via telephone)
• Online database searches such as insurance details, residency, voting records, businesses etc.
• Social Media Searches
• Confirming information and correspondence previously provided
• General online activity

The above outcomes are obtained via multiple techniques and/or methods, once the desired evidence is obtained/gathered it is then summarised within a formal report referencing to the evidence collected within our investigation.

Skip Trace (or Witness location) are essentially required to identify or locate witnesses. Within Workers Compensation claims it is crucial to verify particular incidents by way of witness recollection and in some cases, this may not occur until years later or after the witnesses have left the organisation or moved on.

ABi are able to locate the individual as we have the ability to locate individuals and may only require details such as;

• Full details of the individual i.e. Name, Date of Birth, last known address, employment etc.
• Does the individual want to be found and how discreet do you require our enquires to be completed?

Once the desired evidence/location of the witness is gathered it is then summarised within a formal report referencing to the evidence collected within our investigation.

Process & Confidentiality

Prior to taking on a case, we thoroughly run through with our clients all the specific details of the case and what is the expected outcome. We then tailor the investigation to the client’s needs and only commence once the client is comfortable with our management plan.

Once the matter commences, we frequently update the client with the status of our enquiries and once the matter is completed, it is documented with a thorough report along with a detailed information, statements, online evidence, photography etc.

Our clients, their personal information, correspondence and overall results remain strictly confidential and will NOT be distributed to any 3rd parties. Please refer to our Privacy Page and/or ABi Privacy Policy.