Helen Collins, who is an accredited personal injury specialist with North East law firm Nevin Lenne and Gross, said the new legislation was a reorganisation and renumbering of the old legislation.

“If you have been injured at work, you should still report your injury to your employer,” she said.

“Getting legal advice about your injury is important too.

“Nevin Lenne and Gross can also advise about superannuation and other insurance.”

The firm has been advising clients in Myrtleford and the North East for more than 30 years about workplace injury and compensation matters.

It assists workers to pursue their entitlements, from urgent immediate needs for weekly payments and medical expenses, to lump sum compensation and common law damages.

Ms Collins said where medical treatment or time off work was required, people should lodge a workers’ compensation claim form with their employer as soon as possible and keep a copy for incident report and claim forms.

Peter Lenne had a brief retirement before resuming work to assist victims of the 2009 Beechworth bushfire.

He is ready to resume his retirement although he will maintain a consulting role with the firm.

Mr Lenne has been for an accredited specialist in personal injury law for many years.

Ms Collins will continue his personal injury work at the Myrtleford office and also visit the Wodonga, Bright and Mount Beauty offices.

She gained accreditation as a specialist in personal injury law from the Law Institute of Victoria last year.

“Peter has been a valuable mentor and inspired me to pursue accreditation, which involved a tough exam and other assessments,” Ms Collins said.