Federal workplace insurer Comcare says a tougher approach to workers compensation claims is behind figures showing it has won more than 70 per cent of disputed cases.

The federal workplace insurer is involved in 500 cases in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, many of which centre on public servants’ discontent with compensation claims being rejected.

Lawyers say “unfair” decisions have caused the surge of appeals, but Comcare is unapologetic for its “robust” approach to recent claims management.

The insurer did concede that its tough stance was driving up the number of appeals.

A Comcare spokesperson told Fairfax reporters this week that the number of appeals that were dropped or dismissed before they reached the hearing stage has been ignored.

“In the current financial year, for example, more than one third of appeals were withdrawn or dismissed,” the spokesperson said.

“Our decisions are standing up.

“Comcare has finalised 433 matters in the AAT to date in 2014-2015, with Comcare's decision affirmed in 71 per cent of matters that go to hearing.”

The Public Service Commission reportedly believes that some public servants think Comcare is a “soft touch” for dodgy claims, but the Comcare spokesperson said its hard-line approach was behind the increase in appeals.

“The jump in the number of appeals against our determinations was driven by more robust claims decisions by Comcare, and more claimants appearing at the Tribunal without legal representation,” he said.

“Claimants who represent themselves have a greater propensity to appeal against our decisions, and there has been a steady increase in the number of these appeals over the past three financial years.

“The reasons behind a claimant lodging an appeal are not always immediately clear to Comcare.”