ACC Turning People Away
Victims of vicious attacks, a 17 year old girl who had an accident at the gym, and many other accident victims, are
being turned away by ACC for having non-existent ‘pre-existing conditions’, says MP for Wigram and Progressive Party
leader, Jim Anderton.
The Minister indicated in Parliament today that he would be willing to look at this issue if a clear pattern emerges.
“There is a clear pattern. He needs to do something now. My electorate office, and the offices of other MPs in
Christchurch are inundated with stories of people who have been turned away by ACC after accidents or attacks,” says Jim
Anderton.
"Wayne Direen, one of my constituents, was injured in an unprovoked attack in Christchurch, and sustained multiple
injuries.
"Initially ACC paid for his treatment, but when his shoulder failed to come right, his GP referred him to an orthopaedic
surgeon who recommended surgery. ACC declined to cover the surgery on the basis that the shoulder injury was a
‘pre-existing condition’ – which is clearly ludicrous.
“He had been a keen martial arts student and a rugby league player before the attack, and clearly did not have a long
term shoulder problem - until the night he was attacked,” says Jim Anderton.
"Other cases include a businessman with his own cleaning business who fell at work and hurt his knee. He had no trouble
with his knee prior to the accident, but again ACC declined to cover surgery on the grounds that he had a pre-existing
medical condition. A self-employed electrician broke his elbow at work. ACC covered treatment for the bruising but not
the broken bone because the break had caused on-going nerve problems which required surgery. He was forced to sell his
wife’s car to pay for the operation.
“There are many more cases like this. Some of these people have contacted Nick Smith Minister for ACC, only to be sent
away and told to take their case to the District Court. None of my constituents can afford to take this option, nor
should they have to. Nick Smith needs to take responsibility and do something to stop this happening,” says Jim
Anderton.
ENDS