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Course Outline

LAW424 Compensation Law

Course Coordinator:Ashley Pearson (apearson@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Compensation law seeks to provide legal recourse to individuals who have suffered harm or injuries due to the negligence or wrongful actions of others, ensuring that they are adequately compensated for the physical, emotional, and financial losses experienced. The practice area encompasses a broad range of incidents, including accidents, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, product defects, and more. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the core principles of compensation law, including the multiple schemes, forms and forums relevant to its practice.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-Campus Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online Tutorial 2hrs Week 2 10 times

Course Topics

This course will teach you about the multiple laws governing compensation for injuries, including sources of injury, loss compensation and assessment of damages.

Topics will include:

  • Sources of injury – What law governs the particular source of injury? (Worker’s Compensation, Personal Injury Law, Product Liability, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Medical Negligence)
  • Types of damage – What kinds of damage are able to be compensated? (Physical Injury, Economic Loss, Rehabilitation Costs, Superannuation, etc.)
  • Damage calculation – How are damages calculated and awarded? (Damages)

Mature Content

Adult themes

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Analyse facts to identify legal issues within complex compensation law scenarios. Knowledgeable
Empowered
2 Explain the relevant laws, processes and concepts of compensation law to resolve a legal issue. Knowledgeable
3 Utilize critical thinking, analysis, and sound judgment to apply legal knowledge effectively in diverse contexts, generating appropriate and practical responses to complex problems and ethical issues. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
4 Demonstrate effective, persuasive, and contextually appropriate written and oral communication. Empowered
5 Develop and demonstrate effective presentation skills, including proper referencing and citation techniques, to communicate legal information accurately and professionally. Empowered
6 Collaborate effectively by actively participating and contributing to group tasks. Knowledgeable
Empowered
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

LAW100 and LAW105

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided in the Weeks 2-4 tutorial.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 20% 
1000 Words
 Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual and Group 40% 
2000 Words
 Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 3 Written Piece Individual 40% 
2000 Words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All - Assessment Task 1:Letter of Advice
Goal: 
To assess your ability to identify legal issues in the compensation law field, and provide sound and informed legal advice to a fictional client.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
Written legal advice to a client
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identification and understanding of compensation law issues.
 1 2 3
2 
Application of the law to the individual client's circumstances
 3
3 
Communication is appropriate for a client and outlines their legal options.
 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation
All - Assessment Task 2:Settlement Proceedings
Goal: 
To assess your ability to collaboratively negotiate a settlement with an opposing side based on legal issues covered in the course.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Format: 
An oral negotiation, mediation or settlement to be conducted with the opposing side that then results in the creation of a written agreement.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identify the relevant compensation law issues and discuss them in an informed manner with the opposing side
 1
2 
Use skills of fact finding and exercise judgement when making decisions about legal options open to a client.
 3
3 
Collaborate effectively to produce a good outcome for your client.
 6
4 
Develop and demonstrate effective presentation skills, including proper referencing and citation techniques, to communicate legal information accurately and professionally.
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation
All - Assessment Task 3:Simulated Trial
Goal: 
To assess your ability to draft accurate court documents that clearly communicate legal arguments on compensation law topics.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
Written Submissions
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identify and outline appropriate compensation law arguments based on simulated scenario.
 1 2 3
2 
Demonstrate effective communication in written form that is contextually appropriate, including proper use of language and referencing.
 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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