Radley and Comcare (Compensation)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal considered a claim for compensation brought by the applicant, Ms. Radley, against Comcare. The dispute concerned Comcare's liability to compensate Ms. Radley under sections 14 and 16 of the *Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988* (Cth) for medical expenses related to a claimed left foot condition.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Comcare was liable to pay compensation for the claimed medical expenses. This involved assessing the applicant's credibility as a reliable historian, particularly in light of her past medical history and her disclosures regarding athletic participation. The Tribunal also needed to consider the weight to be given to medical opinions that relied on the applicant's self-reporting.

The Tribunal found that the applicant's credibility was questionable due to a pattern of not always disclosing her relevant medical history. Specifically, the applicant had previously denied any prior injury to her left ankle, contrary to available evidence, and had failed to disclose this history in a previous workers' compensation claim. Furthermore, records indicated the applicant had discussed with a general practitioner her decision not to disclose musculoskeletal problems in a pre-employment health check. The applicant's account of her involvement in athletics also appeared inconsistent with other evidence. Consequently, the Tribunal expressed caution regarding the reliability of the applicant's evidence, especially when medical opinions were dependent on her self-reporting.

The Tribunal affirmed the reviewable decisions, meaning Comcare's denial of liability for the claimed medical expenses was upheld.