00:02For Shane, swimming is everything, even winning silver at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.
00:09But since injuring his back in a workplace injury in 2022, getting in the pool comes at a great cost.
00:16I'm in constant chronic pain.
00:19When he started losing sensation in his legs, he lodged a workers' compensation claim through his employer, the NT government,
00:26which uses Gallagher-Bassett to manage claims.
00:30Medical records seen by the ABC show doctors recommended spinal surgery, saying his prognosis without surgery is poor.
00:39Shane believes the company's delay approving the operation has left him with permanent injuries.
00:45So with that, I've gone from being this super fit man to, I guess, you know, some days. Sorry.
00:59There are days he can't get out of bed.
01:01Gallagher-Bassett manages worker compensation claims for thousands of public servants across Australia.
01:07It also holds a $42 million contract with the federal government.
01:12The ABC has spoken to multiple injured workers who say they've experienced treatment delays,
01:19had their payments cut or struggled to access care.
01:23Shine Lawyers says it has received over 150 legal inquiries about Gallagher-Bassett
01:29from around the country over the past five years and has 17 active cases in the NT.
01:35We have found there's a few people that have contemplated literally just walking away
01:42and going on Centrelink or taking, you know, getting benefits through that system
01:47because this scheme is so re-traumatising.
01:50Gallagher-Bassett says it can't comment on individual claims due to privacy
01:55but has robust processes for reviewing and escalating matters and is focused on supporting workers
02:02and facilitating access to appropriate services and compensation.
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02:08You
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