Describes the history and consequences of asbestos poisoning. Discusses the developments in accident compensation cover for asbestos related disease and the limitations of current entitlement.
By Hazel Armstrong
Tag: ACC
The ACC User Handbook to the AMA "Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment"
Defines levels of impairment for different physical and mental conditions. Used by ACC’s independence allowance and lump sum assessors.
It is proposed that the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation (Lump Sum and Independence Allowance) Regulations 2002 be amended to replace the current assessment tool for determining the level of permanent impairment, from the Fourth Edition of the American Medical Association Guidelines to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA4) and the ACC User Handbook to AMA4 to the Sixth Edition of the Guidelines (AMA6) and the ACC User Handbook to AMA6.
See the consultation on regulations for the AMA guidelines here.
Blood on the Coal: The Origins and Future of New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Scheme
Hazel Armstrong’s book Blood on the Coal: The origins and future of New Zealand’s Accident Compensation scheme (Trade Union History Project, Wellington, 2008) traces the development of the Accident Compensation scheme. Hazel’s book also analyses the effectiveness of the current scheme and looks at possibilities for reform.
Copies of Hazel’s book can be ordered from legal@armstrongthompson.co.nz, or an online copy can be read here.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Long-Term Claims
A discussion of the challenges facing long term claimants under the current accident compensation scheme. The article advocates a client centred approach with improved retraining opportunities and better matching of claimant skills with labour market realities to achieve optimal outcomes for claimants.
By Hazel Armstrong
ACC Futures Seminar – Occupational Health Perspective
A presentation on occupational diseases and ACC, presented to the ACC Futures Seminar 1 September 2008.
By Hazel Armstrong
A New Policy for Vocational Rehabilitation
A presentation focusing on the 2008 amendments to the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act. It focuses on new incentives on employers and ACC to help older workers to recover and get back to work,to provide high quality rehabilitation, new incentives to provide for longer periods of rehabilitation, and new provisions focussing on fair compensation for injured employees.
By Hazel Armstrong
Accidental Injuries and Pre-Existing Conditions
The law in relation to accidental injuries and pre-existing conditions.
Armstrong Thompson