The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand (NZ) has created pre-and post-implementation cost-outcome equations for avoiding sports injury to offer information on a program’s performance. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) pays for all personal injuries in New Zealand and invests in preventative activities to counterbalance the 1.6 million yearly claims worth $NZD 1.9 billion. The ACC invests in nine national community sports injury prevention programs, which account for 40% of all shares and expenditures in the sports industry.
Benefits of ACC
In New Zealand everyone will be covered by the mandatory insurance by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), whether a visitor, citizen, or resident. If you are hurt or injured in an accident in New Zealand, ACC may cover some of your medical and health – care expenses.
ACC is the only no-fault insurance program in the world. It applies to everyone involved in the accident, including you. However, this implies you won’t be able to claim for any expenditures incurred as a result of the damage or its consequences.
Employers can benefit from the ACC, as they cover the cost. Check your responsibilities as an employer. Employers who fail to pay ACC may face significant fines. Most employees are automatically insured, and the company pays the levies and cannot be withheld from your pay.
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) covers injuries ranging from sprains to permanent incapacity, but not general illness, illnesses, infections, age-related health issues, non-work-related gradual process injuries, or mental damage (save in minimal circumstances). Based on your injury, ACC may cover a percentage of your medical costs, offer home help, special aids or equipment, transportation, housing or automobile alterations, education, training, treatment, and counseling.
ACC Sports Injuries and Claims
Physical injuries such as fractured, broken, or dislocated bones, muscular rips and strains, deep cuts and tears (lacerations) and sprains account for the great majority of ACC claims.
The majority of claims include an “accident” in logical thinking, such as a vehicle accident or falling from a ladder at work or at home.
Last year, the ACC granted 499,629 claims for sports injuries, totaling $542 million, up from $508 million in 2015. In 2016, it paid out almost $3 billion in compensation to New Zealanders, including $1.4 billion for injuries in the home and community and $738 million for employment accidents. Sport cost ACC more ($435 million) than injuries from car accidents.
Broken and dislocated bones, ligament damage, knee injuries, and concussions accounted for most rugby claims (2401 cases in 2016). According to ACC injury prevention, rugby injury claims were more significant than other sports injuries, and the sport has always been the most claimant. To reduce injuries, ACC has raised its commitment in its “rugbysmart” initiative to $7 million through 2020. Rugbysmart is a collaboration between ACC and New Zealand Rugby focused on reducing the risk of injury for players and coaches. The ACC data do not include claims from rugby players New Zealand Rugby, as the organization has its own claims process. All Super Rugby teams, women’s professional rugby players, Mitre Ten Cup players, and national teams such as the All Blacks would be included.
References
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/94891232/sports-injuries-cost-nz-500m–more-than-road-carnage
- https://communitylaw.org.nz/community-law-manual/not-rated/when-youre-covered-by-acc-and-when-youre-not/
- https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/resources/acc-helping-to-meet-the-costs-of-personal-injury
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1440244007000035
