|
The Press
March 23, 2002
ACC feels pinch as abuse claims surge
by Yvonne Martin
At least 3000 new sex-abuse claims have been laid since a Christchurch law firm began touting for business from
abuse victims, forcing ACC to take on eight new staff.
Claims to ACC have increased from 100 a week to 500 a week since
Wakefield Associates' controversial national mail-out in January.
The firm offered to help sexual-abuse victims claim up to $175,000 in
compensation in return for a commission from any payout.
The deluge of extra claims generated has caught ACC by surprise and
heavily stretched resources within the sensitive claims unit. It has already
had to take on three new staff to process claims, and is recruiting another
five case managers.
ACC has complained to the New Zealand Law Society over the content of
the pamphlet, which it says is "appalling".
ACC chief executive Garry Wilson has said publicity about lump sums
had a "hysterical" edge, and the leaflet had disturbed sexual-abuse
victims.
An administrator has been hired on a one-year contract to handle
inquiries, while two new temporary workers enter the data into computers.
Five staff are also being recruited to boost the dozen or so existing
case managers – two new case managers, two claims assessors, and a team
manager.
"The amount of new claims coming in is quite surprising,"
said national claims unit manager Gail Kettle.
From April 1, accident victims and sex-abuse victims will again be
able to claim lump sums, which were abolished in 1992. The lump sums will
replace the independence allowance and be worth up to $100,000 on a sliding
scale.
The National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) has complained to ACC
that case managers are being overworked to the point where stress levels are
a work hazard.
NUPE organiser Janice Gemmell said stress levels were
"extreme" and the ACC could be liable for constructive dismissal if
staff left as a consequence.
Some staff were regularly working 10 to 12-hour days, without
overtime or time off in lieu, to cope with the workload. Ms Gemmell said the
three extra support staff helping to process claims were actually increasing
case managers' workloads.
"Stress at these levels is a hazard and ACC has a requirement to
remove that hazard."
Mrs Kettle said most of her staff were coping well with the extra
workload. "Most staff see that there is light at the end of the
tunnel," she said.
|
