Federal MPs and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's wife Lucy could claim workers' compensation for the first time through a fund a lawyer says may have covered the injury Jamie Briggs sustained tackling Tony Abbott.

The Turnbull government is moving to establish a parliamentary injury compensation scheme for MPs who are injured or contract diseases due to their work as office holders. A bill – introduced into Parliament last week – says the scheme will cover things like medical treatment, inability to work, rehabilitation programs, death benefits and funeral expenses, and lost and damaged medical equipment.

Take a knee: From January 1 injuries to MPs may be eligible for compensation if a parliamentary scheme passes. Former cities minister Jamie Briggs, who sustained his injury after a friendly tackle on Tony Abbott last year won't qualify. Credit:Andrew Meares

Maurice Blackburn principal Rod Hodgson said that if passed, the scheme could cover injuries ministers sustained after hours at work-related functions. Such a scheme could "arguably" have covered the knee injury Mr Briggs sustained after tackling ousted prime minister Tony Abbott on the night of the leadership spill last year, he said.

Mr Hodgson cited a High Court case, which ruled a federal public servant was not entitled to compensation for an injury she incurred having sex while on a work trip because her employer had not "encouraged the activity that gave rise to the injury".