ACC payouts increase by $55 million in three years

ACC payouts for medical mistakes have increased by 1,100% from three years ago, a recent report has shown.

Up until 2005, the ACC paid out $5 million in total on medical claims; a figure which has now risen to $60m. Damages to the value of $6m were awarded in July 2008 alone.

It is claimed that the real cost is even higher, as the ACC only covers claims that require ongoing care and does not take into account one-off medical visits.

A spokesperson from the ACC said its policy of handling claims for “treatment injuries” – introduced in 2005 – encourages an open approach to errors in the health sector.