Watson v Accident Compensation Corporation (Application for recall of judgment) [2024] NZACC 34 [PDF, 229 KB] Application for recall of judgment. s 149 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Cover for chronic regional pain syndrome was declined. Appellant has not established that justice requires that the Court's previous decision be recalled. Outcome: application dismissed.
MacNaughtan v Accident Compensation Corporation (Application for Leave) [2024] NZACC 33 [PDF, 247 KB] Application for leave against previous decision declining cover for obsessive compulsive disorder. s 162(1) Accident Compensation Act 2001. Applicant has not established sufficient grounds as a matter of law to sustain his application for leave to appeal. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Smith v Accident Compensation Corporation (Entitlement to Surgery) [2024] NZACC 30 [PDF, 277 KB] Entitlement to surgery - s 67 and Sch 1 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appeal against decisions declining cover for surgery funding. Injuries requiring surgery caused by work accidents. Outcome: appeal allowed.
Smith v Accident Compensation Corporation (Work-related gradual-process injury, late filing) [2024] NZACC 32 [PDF, 152 KB] Late filing of appeal to District Court - s 151 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appeal relating to previous decision declining cover for work related gradual-process injury. Outcome: claim dismissed.
Macdonald v Accident Compensation Corporation (Further ruling on application to recall judgment) [2024] NZACC 29 [PDF, 236 KB] Further ruling on application to recall judgment. s 149 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appellant's lawyer had reasonable opportunity to put before the court all relevant matters on behalf of client. Outcome: application to recall judgment dismissed.
Enviro Waste Services Ltd v Accident Compensation Corporation (Claim for Work Related Injury) [2024] NZACC 28 [PDF, 208 KB] Claim for deemed decision - Claim for work-related personal injury - ss 28, 30, 135, 146 Accident Compensation Act 2001 - Appeal against a decision allowing cover for a work-related injury. Injury caused by a gradual process not an injury caused by accident. Outcome: appeal allowed.
Chalecki v Accident Compensation Corporation (Review Rights) [2024] NZACC 23 [PDF, 169 KB] Review Rights - s 162 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appeal against decision declining reimbursement for rehabilitation costs. No jurisdiction to consider application for leave to appeal. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Beauchamp v Accident Compensation Corporation (Claim for costs on appeal) [2024] NZACC 24 [PDF, 149 KB] Claim for costs on appeal - Part 14 District Court Rules 2014. Respondent ordered to pay Appellant $544.50 Outcome: costs awarded.
Bryan v Accident Compensation Corporation (Late filing to the District Court) [2024] NZACC 27 [PDF, 148 KB] Late filing of an appeal to the District Court - s 151 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether interests of justice required the exercise of discretion to sustain his application for leave to file his appeals out of time. Interests of justice established for appeal. Outcome: appeal granted.
Air New Zealand Ltd v Lavender (Work Related Gradual Process Injury) [2024] NZACC 26 [PDF, 200 KB] Claim for work-related gradual process injury - ss 28, 30 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appeal against decision awarding cover for Covid-19 as a work-related injury. Appellant was at a place for purpose of his employment when he was staying at a hotel for an airline layover. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Kaulima v Accident Compensation Corporation [2024] NZACC 22 [PDF, 156 KB] Interpretation of decision - s 6(1) Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appeal against dismissal of decision for want of jurisdiction. Court did not consider it appropriate or within its jurisdiction to address issues raised by Appellant. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Soulsby v Accident Compensation Corporation (Weekly Compensation) [2024] NZACC 31 [PDF, 301 KB] Claim for interest on weekly compensation - s 114(1) Accident Compensation Act 2001. Backdated weekly compensation - s 105, cl 43, Sch 1. Alleged delay - s 134(1)(b). Appeal from previous decisions regarding interest on payments and incapacity to work. Outcome: claim dismissed.
Watson v Accident Compensation Corporation (Weekly Compensation) [2024] NZACC 019 [PDF, 315 KB] Weekly Compensation; shareholder-employee – s 15, Schedule 1 clauses 31, 39, 41, 42, Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether Corporation exercised s 15(1)(b) discretion in error when deciding not to undertake s 15(3) calculation; whether Corporation correct that nil shareholder-earnings were reasonable representation of appellant’s earnings. Corporation was correct in determining appellant had nil earnings as shareholder-employee in relevant year for purpose of calculating base weekly compensation. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Van Wey Lovatt v Accident Compensation Corporation (Code of Claimant's Rights) [2024] NZACC 020 [PDF, 221 KB] Code of ACC Claimants’ Rights – s 40; Appeals process – s 149(3); Decision – s 6(1), Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether Reviewer correctly declined jurisdiction in relation to appellant’s letter of complaint. Whether Court had jurisdiction to consider appeal. Appellant’s letter constituted complaint under Code; Reviewer had jurisdiction to hear and decide upon review. S 149(3) bar on Court’s jurisdiction did not apply. Outcome: appeal allowed.
Estate of Buist v Accident Compensation Corporation (Revocation of Cover/Suspension of Entitlements) [2024] NZACC 017 [PDF, 331 KB] Revocation of cover; claim for personal injury; suspension of entitlements – ss 20, 26, 65, 117, Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether Corporation’s decisions to revoke cover for pyogenic arthritis, to decline cover for shoulder injury, and to suspend entitlement to weekly compensation and home help, were correct. On basis of evidence, Corporation’s decisions were correct. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
KI v Accident Compensation Corporation (Contribution to Cost of Treatment) [2024] NZACC 011 [PDF, 1.8 MB] Payment or Contribution to Costs of Treatment - Clause 1 and 2, Schedule 1 ACC Act 2001. Whether the Corporation was correct in declining to fund further costs of treatment and travel to attend treatment. The Corporation was incorrect in declining costs for treatment and associated travel. Thus, the decision is reversed. The appellant’s need for treatment arises from her head injury of 21 January 1992 and the subsequent head injuries she suffered. Outcome: appeal allowed.
Pristine Property v Accident Compensation Corporation (Costs on Appeal) [2024] NZACC 016 [PDF, 170 KB] Claim for costs on appeal. Director of appellant company sought $2,159 and $1,079.50 awards of costs. No jurisdiction to award costs to self-represented litigants. Outcome: claim dismissed.
Robinson v Accident Compensation Corporation (Late filing to the District Court) [2024 NZACC 015 [PDF, 150 KB] Late filing of an appeal to the District Court - s 151 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether interests of justice required the exercise of discretion to sustain his application for leave to file his appeals out of time. Interests of justice established for appeal. Outcome: appeal granted.
Fong v Accident Compensation Corporation (Late filing to the District Court) [2024] NZACC 014 [PDF, 154 KB] Late filing of an appeal to the District Court - s 151 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether interests of justice required the exercise of discretion to sustain his application for leave to file his appeals out of time. Interests of justice established for appeal. Outcome: appeal granted.
Cotter v Accident Compensation Corporation (Personal Injury) [2024] NZACC 013 [PDF, 249 KB] Claim for personal injury – ss 20, 25, 26, Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether condition caused by accident injury. Appellant failed to establish on balance of probabilities that condition was caused by accident. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
[2024] NZACC 009 – Howell v ACC (23 January 2024) [PDF, 156 KB] Late filing of an appeal to the District Court – s151, Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether interest of justice required exercise of Court’s discretion to sustain application for leave to file appeal out of time. Delay arose out of health issues. Outcome: application granted.
Pio v Accident Compensation Corporation (Leave to appeal to the High Court) [2024] NZACC 010 [PDF, 240 KB] Leave to Appeal to the High Court – Section 162 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether sufficient grounds, as matter of law, to sustain application for leave to appeal. Appellant failed to establish error of law capable of bona fide and serious argument. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
McKenzie v Accident Compensation Corporation (Personal Injury) [2024] NZACC 008 [PDF, 295 KB] Personal injury, causation, s 26 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Appeal against review decision declining cover. Whether right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis caused by accident. Evidence shows condition present before accident. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Vine v Accident Compensation Corporation (Impairment Assessment) [2024] NZACC 007 [PDF, 303 KB] Impairment Assessment - Accident Compensation Act 2001, Schedule 1, Part 3. Appeal against review decision assessing impairment. Whether impairment correctly assessed. Held: Corporation correct to decline lump sum and independence allowance. Impairment correctly assessed in accordance with statutory provisions. Outcome: appeal dismissed.
Hristovski v Accident Compensation Corporation (Leave to appeal to the High Court) [2024] NZACC 006 [PDF, 208 KB] Leave to Appeal to the High Court – Section 162 Accident Compensation Act 2001. Whether sufficient grounds, as matter of law, to sustain application for leave to appeal. Appellant failed to establish error of law capable of bona fide and serious argument. Outcome: appeal dismissed.