“Stress is not a diagnosis. And if there’s no diagnosis, there’s no injury. And if there’s no injury, there’s no claim.”

In this episode of Behind the Claim, Dr Danny Tang returns to break down one of the most important documents in a workers compensation claim: the Certificate of Capacity.

Most injured workers sign it without reading it closely. Many treating doctors complete it without fully understanding what the legislation requires. And when mistakes are made, claims can be delayed, disputed, or payments can stop.

Dr Tang speaks from both sides of the process, as a treating doctor and as an Independent Medical Consultant (IMC). He explains what insurers look for, where doctors commonly get it wrong, and why small compliance issues can create major problems for injured workers.

This episode covers:

• Why the Certificate of Capacity matters so much in a workers comp claim

• Why terms like “stress,” “anxiety,” and “neck pain” are not valid diagnoses on their own

• How the date of injury can affect treatment access and referrals

• What the capacity for activities section is for, and why it should not be left blank

• Why “one month” is not the same as 28 days under the NSW workers compensation rules

• Why older WorkCover NSW certificates are no longer valid

• How better compliance could improve claim outcomes for injured workers

If you are injured at work, supporting a family member, or involved in managing workers compensation claims, this episode gives a practical look at what the paperwork actually requires and why it matters.

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 – Intro

1:02 – Dr Tang returns

2:11 – Initial vs subsequent Certificate of Capacity

3:39 – Why employer name and occupation matter

4:07 – Consent and privacy rules

6:07 – Why “stress” and “anxiety” are not valid diagnoses on their own

7:40 – DSM-5 and psychiatric diagnosis

8:09 – No diagnosis means no claim

9:30 – Why the date of injury matters

12:20 – The 12-week referral rule

15:31 – Treatment plans and capacity for activities

19:48 – No current work capacity and missing timeframes

24:24 – Why 28 days is not “one month”

29:07 – Why WorkCover NSW certificates are invalid

33:22 – Why “neck pain” is a symptom, not a diagnosis

43:32 – Closing thoughts on compliance and better claims

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