Accident Compensation Corporation
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The Accident Compensation Corporation (Te Kaporeihana Āwhina Hunga Whara, ACC) is a New Zealand Crown Entity responsible for administering the [Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act]; which supports citizens, residents, and temporary visitors who have suffered accidental injuries. ACC is the sole (and compulsory) provider of accident insurance for all work and non-work injuries. Because of this scheme, people who have suffered personal injury do not have the right to sue, except for exemplary damages.
ACC describe themselves with this statement: Our pledge is to prevent injury, to provide the best treatment and care if injury occurs, and to quickly rehabilitate people back to work or independence at a price that offers high value to levy payers and all New Zealanders.'
History
ACC is rooted in the 1900 "Worker's Compensation Act", which established a limited compensation scheme for workers who had suffered injuries where there was no directly responsible party.In 1967, a Royal Commission report ('The Woodhouse Report') recommended that this compensation should be extended.
Following this report, on 1 April 1974 the Accident Compensation Commission was established, to operate the 1972 Accident Compensation Act, and the 1973 Amendments.
In ? the Accident Compensation Commission became the Accident Compensation Corporation.
From 1 July 1999, private insurance operators were allowed to provide work-related accident insurance, and ACC became a free-market competitor. Due to a change in government, this change was repealed, and as of 1 July 2000, ACC was re-instated as the sole provider of accident insurance cover.
External links
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