Headline: ACC law’s unfair gaps need fixing
It’s time for the Government to make changes to the ACC law that would give equality across all injured people
This week’s High Court decision to deny the option of appeal for people wanting to challenge an unfair ACC anomaly proves the need for change in law, the Green Party said today.
The claimants were arguing that it is unfair that when people are injured while not in the workforce but that injury doesn’t start impacting their life until they are in working, then they can’t get ACC payments for the time off work they have to take. Similarly, people who were employed at the time of their accident but unemployed when they become incapable of working, also miss out.
“Several court decisions have now pointed out the inherent unfairness of the way that some people miss out on ACC payments,” Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague said.
“The law as it stands creates a totally unfair situation where some people miss out on ACC cover because of technicalities. If they can’t work because of an injury, they deserve to be covered like everyone else.
“It’s time for the Government to make changes to the ACC law that would give equality across all injured people.
“Several court decisions have found this ACC situation to be unfair but legal because the law says that these people are to remain uncovered.
“The Judge in this week’s case was pretty clear about the unfairness of the situation and the only solution is for the Government to fix the Act.
“I am urging the Government to listen to these people, and the Judge, and give equality to all injured people.”
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