Workers' compensation schemes cover industrial injuries (including certain prescribed diseases) and provide for the payment of benefits to injured workers. Awards under these schemes are only made for injuries caused by accidents 'arising out of and in the course of employment'.
As the schemes are 'no-fault' schemes, compensation is payable regardless of whether the injury was caused negligently. But the drawback of claiming under such no-fault schemes is that the compensation paid is always less than full compensation, and almost always less than might be obtainable in a common law action in tort. There is thus a trade-off between the amount payable and the certainty of obtaining some compensation.
Workers' compensation schemes and motor accidents compensation schemes together meet about 40% of all compensation claims.