Patdu and Australian Postal Corporation (Compensation)

This matter concerned an appeal by Ms Patdu against decisions of the Australian Postal Corporation regarding her workers' compensation claims. The dispute centred on whether certain medical conditions, specifically an injury to her right thumb and carpal tunnel syndrome, were work-related and therefore compensable under the *Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988* (Cth).

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Ms Patdu's injury to her right thumb on 23 May 2013 arose out of, or in the course of, her employment. Additionally, the Tribunal had to consider whether her carpal tunnel syndrome and disappearing ganglions were also compensable conditions linked to her work.

The Tribunal found that there was sufficient evidence to establish that Ms Patdu's right thumb injury was work-related, setting aside the respondent's previous decision and substituting a finding of compensability. However, regarding the carpal tunnel syndrome and ganglions, the Tribunal concluded that the evidence did not establish a sufficient link to her employment. The Tribunal applied the principles of the *Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988*, requiring proof that the injury or condition arose out of or in the course of employment.

Consequently, the Tribunal remitted the application concerning the right thumb injury to the respondent for the calculation of Ms Patdu's entitlements from 23 May 2013 to 6 January 2014. The decisions under review in relation to the other claimed conditions were affirmed. The respondent was also ordered to pay Ms Patdu's costs.